Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 25

FEB. 5, 2004 ASBURY PARK PRESS Additional obituaries B6 wife, Claire Cole Cubbage, in 1994. Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and David Green of Easton, and Jane and Matt Klemchalk of Allendale; a son and daughter-inlaw, Pete and Pamela of Lansdale, a brother, William of Florida; and five grandchildren, Chris, Matthew, Jennifer, Amy and Anthony. Viewing will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, with a religious service at 11 a.m.

at Scott Kedz Home for Funerals, 153 Church Belford. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Popcorn Park Zoo, P.O. Box 43, Forked River, NJ 08731; or Heartland Home Healthcare Hospice, 1227 Liberty Suite 104, Allentown, PA 18102. NORMAN JOHNSEN.

83, of Pine Ridge, Whiting, MANCHESTER, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Medical College Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia. He was a manager for Bond Bread Co. and worked in both Brooklyn and Norfolk, Va. He later worked for the U.S.

Postal Service in Brooklyn for 12 years, retiring as a supervisor in 1983. He was a Coast Guard veteran of World War II. He was a life member and past commander of Crestwood Village American Legion Post 502; past president of Pine Ridge Residents Association; and past president of the Audubon Social Club. He was past director of the Pine Ridge Old Guard 25, Whiting, serving for two years. He was instrumental in the forming of the Crime Prevention Club in Pine Ridge.

He was a member of the Pine Ridge Safety Patrol. He was chairman of collections at the Old Guard for St. Barnabas Burn Center for children. He ran Atlantic City bus trips for the Old Guard and also assisted in bus trips for the American Legion. He was a member of the now-defunct "Guys Gals" of Pine Ridge.

Born in Brooklyn, he lived in the Bay Ridge section most of his life before moving to Pine Ridge in 1983. He was predeceased by a son, Norman Johnsen, in 2001. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Johnsen; a Paul Johnsen of Lindenhurst. N.Y.; a daughter, Beth Johnsen of Santa Ana, a brother, Edward Johnsen of Monroe Township; two sisters, Mildred Rasswerler and Muriel Mullenback, both of Whiting; five grandchildren, including Terri Lynn Johnsen and Paul E. Johnsen and five greatgrandchildren.

There will be a private cremation with no service. Anderson Campbell Funeral Home, Whiting, is in charge of arrangements. Anderson Campbell Wallace T. Polhemus, Mgr. 732-350-5700 N.J.

Lic. No. 3646 MARIE G. PICCIRILLO LIBRIZZI, 92, of LAKEWOOD, died Sunday, Feb. 1, at Manchester Manor Rehabilitation Center, Lakehurst.

She was one of 13 children. She was a loving homemaker, skilled in crocheting, knitting and needlepoint. Her greatest enjoyment was her grandchildren. Born in Newark, she lived in Union, Mountainside and Irvington before moving to Lakewood seven years ago. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent "Jimmy" Librizzi; and a daughter, Josephine "Honey" Betzner.

Surviving are two daughters, Mary L. Martin of Lakewood, and Amy Gramlich of Shavertown, a brother, Louis Piccirillo of Union; a sister, Emma Ferraro of Colonia, Woodbridge; eight grandchildren; and 11 greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, with a celebration of life at 8 p.m.

at D'Elia Funeral Home, Route 70 and Vermont Avenue, Lakewood. A committal service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Hollywood Memorial Park Mausoleum, Union. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater NJ Chapter, 400 Morris Suite 25, Denville, NJ 08734. D'Elia Funeral Home 732-363-1987 Jason Campagna, Mgr.

N.J. Lic. No. 4207 ELSIE L. MARCZAK.

88, of New Egypt, PLUMSTED, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Jackson Center, Jackson. She was the former owner of Louie Elsie's Grill, Freehold. She also worked OBITUARIES for many years as a bookkeeper for General Analine Linden. She was a communicant of the Church of the Assumption, New Egypt.

She touched many lives and gave much love to her family. Born in Butler, she was a resident of Freehold before moving to New Egypt. She was predeceased by her husband, Louis Marczak. Surviving are a daughter and sonin-law, Linda and Maurice Salcfas of New Egypt; two granddaughters and a grandson-inlaw, Deborah and Joseph Devenney of Allentown, and Laurie Salcfas of Hamilton; two grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, David and Asuntina Salcfas of Springfield, and Daniel and Kristen Salcfas of Wilmington, and seven great-grandchildren, Sean and Kyle Devenney, Kayla Salcfas, and Saverid, Antonio, Jovanni and Sofia Salcfas. Calling hours will be from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Saturday at Tilghman Funeral Home, 52 Main New Egypt. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption, 76 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, with the Rev. Joseph Farrell officiating. Interment will be in Assumption Cemetery, New Egypt.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Egypt First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 368, New Egypt, NJ 08533; or to the Church of the Assumption, 76 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533. EDMUND CHESTER RENK, 84, of LAKEWOOD, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, at home. He was a businessman in the Shore area for for than 50 years before retiring.

He served with honor in the U.S. Navy at Lakehurst Naval Air Station during World War II. His talents and experience were evident in his service as a councilman for the borough of Brielle, president of the Howell Lions Club, trustee, treasurer and president of the Ocean County Historical Society, member and treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Leisure Village and a member and officer of many Leisure Village Association clubs and committees and as a member of the Lakewood Urban Enterprise Zone Advisory Committee. He was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Sophia Renk; his wife, Mary Dignan Renk; a son, Thomas S. Renk; his wife, Eleanore Martin Renk; and two brothers, Henry Renk and Stanley Renk, who were killed in World War II.

Surviving are his wife, Betty Clarke Renk; three sons and daughtersin-law, Henry and Lyn Renk of Morristown, Michael and Anne Renk of Manasquan, and Geoffrey Renk and Lisa Flaggman of Charleston, S.C.; a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Fred Merlie of New Britain, seven grandchildren, Colleen Renk Zengotitabengoa and her husband, Sam, Jennifer Renk, Meredith Renk Marks and her husband, Jack, Jessica Renk Ardis and her husband, Wayne, Lisa Renk, Kate Merlie and Patrick Merlie; five grandchildren, Bradley Ardis, Emma Marks, Hannah Trotter, Abigail Marks and Max Ardis; and a stepdaughter and her husband, Teri and Jerry Dwyer and their family of Roseland. Viewing hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at D'Elia Funeral Home, Route 70 and Vermont Avenue, Lakewood. A funeral Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday at Holy Family Church, East County Line Road, Lakewood. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the OLV Foundation, 19 Buckingham Drive, Lakewood, NJ 08701; or the Ocean County Historical Society, 26 Hadley Toms River, NJ 08754. D'Elia Funeral Home 732-363-1987 Jason Campagna, Mgr. N.J. Lic.

No. 4207 JOHN A. SULLIVAN 78, of LAKEWOOD, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Ocean Medical Center, Brick. He was employed as an accountant for 28 years with Gulf Oil in Manhattan, retiring in 1929.

He was a veteran of World War II proudly serving his country in the Navy. He was a parishioner of St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church, Toms River, and a former parishioner PAGE B7 OCEAN JAMES J. BROWN 73, of Whiting, MANCHESTER, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Community Medical Center, Toms River.

He was a salesman with Dew Equipment, North Bergen, before retiring 11 years ago. Prior to that, he was a salesman with Modern Handling Equipment, Edison. He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, Whiting. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War.

Born in Jersey City, he resided there before moving to Whiting six years ago. He was predeceased by three sisters, Margaret Gorman, Te- resa Regan and Patricia Clark. Surviving are his wife, Florence A. Keresey Brown; two sons, James J. Brown III of Cranford, and Robert T.

Brown of Westfield; two daughters, Elizabeth Forrester of Jersey City, and Patricia Meyer of Forked River, Lacey; a brother, Thomas Brown of Jersey City; two sisters, Mary Nulty of Sanford, and Frances Touhey of Toms River; and four grandchildren, Donald Meyer Michael Meyer, Katherine Brown and Robert Brown Jr. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Layton's Home for Funerals, 250 W.

Lacey Road, Forked River. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral at 7:45 a.m. Saturday from the funeral home, followed by a 9 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting.

Entombment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Toms River. ELIZABETH HANCE HEWSON STARKEY COOK. 88, of Princeton, formerly of BAY HEAD, died Monday, Feb. 2, at home.

Born in Red Bank, she moved to her home in Princeton, on The Great Road, in 1948 as the wife of the late Austin C. Starkey. She was married to the late William B. Hewson early in her life and also to the late George R. Cook.

She maintained long-term residences in Gulfstream, and Bay Head. She was a charter member of The Bedens Brook Club, and belonged to the Nassau Club, the Present Day Club, the Gulfstream Golf Club, the Gulf Stream Bath Tennis Club, the Little Club and the Bay Head Yacht Club. She was highly devoted to her husbands, her family, and to her many close friends in the communities in which she lived. As the widow of three Princeton University alumni, she was always interested in the activities of the university. Her warmth and love of her extended family was a constant throughout her life.

She was also predeceased by a son, Ross K. Hewson; and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Borden L. Hance.

Surviving are a brother, Borden L. Hance of Red Bank; her children, Austin C. Starkey Jr. of Pennington, Samuel B. Starkey of Princeton, and William B.

Hewson Jr. of Darien, two stepdaughters, Connie Moore of Philadelphia, and Allison Elston of Oklahoma, and their spouses; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church, Princeton. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Princeton University, P.O. Box 46, Princeton, NJ 08540; or Trinity Episcopal Church, 33 Mercer Princeton, NJ 08542. MatherHodge Funeral Home, Princeton, is in charge of arrangements. EUGENE H. CUBBAGE, 88, of TOMS RIVER, died Tuesday, Feb.

3, at his daughter's home in Easton, Pa. He was an international purchasing agent at Vick Chemical, New York City, for more than 35 years, retiring in 1984 as manager. He worked for IBM. New York, before enlisting in the Navy, where he met his wife. He was a World War II Navy veteran and attained the rank of specialist.

He was a member River Presbyterian Church. Born in Cole Camp, he lived in West Caldwell most of his life and in Newtown, for several years before retiring to Toms River 15 years ago. He was predeceased by his Leon Avakian, to protect By ED PRINCE STAFF WRITER TINTON FALLS Leon S. Avakian, former longtime municipal engineer of Asbury Park and 17 other Monmouth County towns and a key figure in Shore area beach-protection efforts, has died. Avakian, who was 77, died Tuesday, Feb.

3, at home. He formed Leon S. Avakian Consulting Engineers, Neptune, in 1954, and was the Asbury Park city engineer for 35 years. While serving in that capacity, he did the design work for reconstruction of the foundation of Convention Hall. He was appointed municipal engineer for Deal in 1964 and eventually served in a total of 18 Shore towns as municipal engineer.

Avakian was recognized as an expert in beach erosion control, and was published on the subject. He pioneered the design and use of asphalt grouting for jetty and groin stabilization along the Atlantic coast. His major projects also included a breakwater for Asbury Park to prevent further erosion, construction for the new Deal Lake jetty and reconstruction of the "Golden Brick Road" Ocean Avenue in Deal, which had been damaged by truck traffic during World War II. Deal Mayor Harry I. Franco said he was upset to hear of Avakian's death.

"It was an honor and privilege to work with him," Franco said. "He had unbelievable character." Garrett Giberson, director of the Asbury Park Department of Public Maintenance, recalled meeting Avakian in the late 1960s when Giberson was substitute teaching at the city high school. Avakian was volunteering his time at the school to teach industrial arts students about engineering. "I remember him as always being community-minded as of Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, West Brighton, Staten Island. He was a former member of the Original Leisure Village Men's Club, Lakewood, and a former member of the Knights of Columbus in Staten Island.

Born in Laconia, N.H., he lived in Staten Island before moving to Lakewood in 1981. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Mary Elizabeth Graham Sullivan; a sister, Theresa LaFrancois of Attleboro, 11 nieces and nephews; and 18 grandnieces and grandnephews. Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road at Highway 70, Brick. A funeral Mass will be offered at 9:30 a.m.

Monday at St. Luke's Church, Toms River. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, Staten Island. VICTOR H.

SWENSON 86, of Curtis Point, MANTOLOK- ING, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, at home. At a very young age, he displayed mechanical ability; he graduated from Kearny High School of 1935. During World War II, he had worked several factory jobs and landed a position with Western Electric for the U.S. Department of Defense.

The 12-hour days in a defense plant gained him status as a master machinist, but he left with profound hearing loss from un protected sound exposure. He continued his education and graduated from Newark Technical School the Night Owls in Newark and moved on to open his business in the newly developing field of plastics. He was the owner and president of V.H. Swenson Co. on Elm Street in Kearny.

Swenson was known for their engineering in plastics injection molding. Swenson established an unsurpassed reputation for precision tool and die making and the production of items such as dials, knobs, escutcheons and nameplates for the manufacture of radios, televisions and other electronics. He was a concerned employer and had many lifelong employees. leading figure Monmouth County Leon S. Avakian well as a good municipal engineer," Giberson said.

Avakian was instrumental in boardwalk and jetty repair in Asbury Park, but he always found time to participate in fund raisers to help the city, Giberson said. Avakian received a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, in 1949, and did post graduate work at Columbia University. Prior to starting his own firm, Avakian worked for Central Jersey Rail Road doing bridge design. He was a licensed professional engineer, licensed professional land surveyor and licensed professional planner in New Jersey.

Recognized as "Engineer of the Year" in 1991 by the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers, he served as its president, as well a serving as president of the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers. He was a Navy veteran, serving during World War I and sang in the Blue Jackets Choir. Avakian was deeply involved in community service. He served 30 years on the advisory board to the Salvation Army of Asbury Park; and 40 years on the board of directors of the Shore Area YMCA, where he was a 1992 recipient of the "Man After retiring from the plastics industry in 1988 he sold his business to his son and pursued his lifelong interest in steam power. He designed Crescent Marine Steam Engines.

He made both 10- and 5-horsepower steam engines that were not replicas of vintage engines but a new and unique designed specifically for steam launch boat operators worldwide. He engineered the Crescent engine to meet the highest machine tool standards and was manufactured from his Bay Avenue, Point Pleasant, machine shop. He was one of the last surviving precision designers bringing old-style steam power into the 21st century. The Crescent Engine is the power of choice in steam launches throughout North America, South Africa and Asia. A 10-horsepower Crescent is featured in a working display at the Michinok Transitional Wooden Boat Museum in Aomori, Japan.

He owned and skippered of a 29-foot steam launch, powered by a Crescent engine, which he kept on Barnegat Bay. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, South Orange; a member of the Society of Plastic Engineers, New Jersey; and a communicant of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Bay Head. He was an avid New York Giants fan and season ticket holder. His hobbies include gardening, clock making, and woodworking and enjoyed going to Monmouth Park Race Track, Oceanport. Born in Newark, he lived in Short Hills and summered in Avon, and Curtis Point, Mantoloking.

He was predeceased by a sister, Helen Swenson Manley, in 1997. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Gertrude Feeley Swenson; a son, Victor Hugo Swenson of Toms River; two daughters, Trudy Swenson of Roxbury, and Kathryn R. Heinz of West Paterson and Lavallette; and seven grandchildren, Joshua and Trevor Attenburg, Erin, Kristen and Caitrin Dunn, and Jordan and Tyler Swenson. Visiting will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

Friday at O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. The funeral will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday from the funeral home, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, Bay Head. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Bo- in effort beaches of the Year" award. He was a 30-year member the Asbury Park Kiwanis Club also served as president. He was a 50-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Belmar, where he served as a church elder, and on the building committee for both the new sanctuary and the Christian Education Building. Barbershop singing was another important part of his life. Avakian founded the Asbury Park Chapter of Barbershop Quartet Singing, and served as international president of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America.

"A very large part of my adult life has been devoted to singing barbershop quartet he said. "This hobby has enhanced my life and that of my family not only through its entertainment value but also by providing the reason to travel to numerous Mid-Atlantic District and international conventions throughout our country and overseas in England." Surviving are his wife, Ruth two sons, Thomas L. of Tinton Falls, and Peter R. of Allenhurst; two sisters, Marion Slater of Tinton Falls, and Helen Eberle of Westwood; five grandchildren, Peter, Meredith, Robert and Samuel Avakian, and Meaghan O'Day and family; his extended family, Dr. Jose Caro lino Divino, a former exchange student, and his family of Belgium.

His memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church of Belmar, 9th Avenue and Street, Belmar. Interment will be private at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Belmar Handicapped Improvement Fund, or the SPEBSQSA Harmony Foundation, 7930 Sheridan Road, Kenosha, WI 53143. Ely Funeral Home, Neptune is in charge of arrangements.

Staff Writer Dan Kaplan contributed to this story nations may be sent to St. Joseph's Shrine, 400 Route 35 North, South Mantoloking, NJ 08738; or to the South Orange Knights of Columbus. MIDDLESEX LEO FIAMINGO, 91, of NEW BRUNSWICK, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Princeton Medical Center, Princeton. He was a machinist at Midland-Ross Bound Brook, for many years, retiring in 1 1975.

He was a member of the New Brunswick Senior Citizens. Born in Catania, Sicily, he lived in New York City before moving to New Brunswick 55 years ago. He was predeceased by his wife, Maddalena Fiamingo, in June 2000. Surviving are two sons, Len of Red Bank, and Frank of South Brunswick; two daughters, Josephine Fiamingo of East Brunswick, and Maria Fiamingo-Kirczow of Hamilton Square; and six grandchildren, Kelly, Frank, Lenny and Danielle Fiamingo, and Alexandra and Russell Kirczow. Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m.

Sunday at Boylan Funeral Home, 188 Easton New Brunswick. Funeral services will be held at 9:15 a.m. Monday at the funeral home followed by a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, Kendall Park.

Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, New Brunswick. ALLAN "RICK" RHINE. 52, of OLD BRIDGE, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after a long battle against cancer.

Rick was the most extraordinary man a generous and kind giant among his peers and a most adored and loving husband to his wife. He was the best and most devoted loving father to his boys, his loving daughter, his brother, sisterin-law, and sweet niece. All are a part of his family and friends, whom he loved so much, and they showed him so much love. He will be greatly missed by all. Surviving are his wife, Lorna; two sons, Matthew and Justin; a daughter, Patricia; his girlfriend, Lindsay; a brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Lynn; and a niece, Tracy.

Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Manalapan..