The Central New Jersey Home News from New Brunswick, New Jersey • 21

FEBRUARY 12, 2008 HOME NEWS TRIBUNE www.thnt.com PAGE B3 OBITUARIES KRISTEN ANDERSEN AGE: 26 OLD BRIDGE Kristen Andersen of Old Bridge died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge Division. She was 26. Arrangements will be announced in Wednesday's edition by the Chubenko Funeral Home, 625 Port Reading Port Reading. JOSEPH DAFGEK AGE: 86 CARTERET Joseph Dafgek died peacefully on Sunday, Feb.

10, 2008, at his home in Edison. served in the U.S. Army during World War II for three years. With and an entrepreneurial spirit zest building, Joseph started Jomar Homes custom home designs in 1950 and maintained that business for 30 years. To all that knew him, Joseph was a lover of the great outdoors, especially fishing, which he passed down to his grandchildren.

A lifetime member of Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, Joseph was committed to giving to the hospital that gave him his quality of life for over 30 years. He was a member of St. Cecelia's Senior Citizens Club. Joseph's greatest joy was his family. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary and John; four sisters, Marge Dafgek, Mary O'Chartic, Bette Banasiak and Lillian Dafgek, and his brothers, John Dafgek and Frank Dafgek.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret "Marge" (D'Amore) Dafgek; four daughters, Donna Mason and her husband, Thomas, of Neshanic Station, N.J., Peg Dafgek of Byram, N.J., Joanne Wrobleski and her husband, Ted, of Clark, N.J., Karen Farrell and her husband, Bill, of Jackson, N.J.; seven loving grandchildren, Cody, Kari, Ashley, Tia, Nicholas, Joseph and Olivia, and two sisters, Ann Charles of Colonia and Irene Gorecki of Carteret. Visitation will be held 2 p.m.4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at CoreyRagan Funeral Home, 259 Elm Rahway.

The Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, at St. Cecelia's R.C. Church, Iselin.

Interment will follow at St. Gertrude's Cemetery, Colonia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Colonia Chapter. Born in Carteret, Joseph MARIA FARKAS AGE: 72 MONROE Maria Farkas, 72, of Monroe passed away Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

Mrs. Farkas was born in Hungary to the late Imre and the late Maria Jan do Penzes and came to the United States in 1957 and in Perth Amboy before moving to Monroe 19 years ago. She was a homemaker. She was predeceased by one brother and two sisters. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Julius Farkas of Monroe, and several nieces and nephews in Hungary.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday at Mitruska Funeral Home, 531 New Brunswick Fords, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Hungary R.C. Church in Perth Amboy. Entombment will follow at Woodbridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Woodbridge.

Visiting hours will be 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. both Wednesday and Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Hungary R.C. Church, 697 Cortlandt Perth Amboy, NJ 08861.

BENJAMIN DOBRZYNSKI AGE: 87 EAST BRUNSWICK Benjamin F. Dobrzynski died Monday, Feb. 1 11, 2008, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. He was, 87. Born in East Brunswick, he lived in East Brunswick all his life.

Prior to retiring in 1982 he was a truck driver for Herman Forwarding, North Brunswick, where he worked for over 50 years. Mr. Dobrzynski was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Africa and Italy campaigns. He was a communicant of St. Mary Ostrabrama R.C.

Church, South River, where he belonged to the Holy Name Society. He was a Boy Scout Troop 11 Committeeman, Milltown; a member of the SipN-Ski Club, North Brunswick; and belonged to Teamsters Local 701. He was predeceased by his wife, Cecilia, who died in 2003; a brother, Edward, and a sister, Henrietta Gallo. Surviving are a daughter, Joan Kraussman and her husband, James, of San Antonio, Texas; a son, Benjamin F. Dobrzynski and his wife, Jeanne, of East Brunswick; and two grandsons, Daniel and Andrew Kraussman.

Funeral services will be held at 8:15 a.m. Friday at Brunswick Memorial Home, 454 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, followed by a 9 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, South River. Interment follow at St.

Mary's Cemetery, East Brunswick. Friends may call at the funeral home from: 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. For directions, please visit www.brunswickmemorialhome.com.

St. Mary's Holy Name Society will conduct services at 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Tower 2, 5th floor, 120 Albany New Brunswick, NJ 08901. EDWARD GERLESKY AGE: 77 PARLIN Edward S.

Gerlesky of Parlin died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy. He was 77. He was born in Barnesboro, and had resided in Parlin for the past 46 years. He was employed by Charter Machine Co.

in Metuchen as a machinist for 14 years. Prior to that he was employed by Mepsco Co. in North Brunswick. He was a Korean War veteran, serving in the U.S. Army, and was a member of VFW Post 4699 in Sayreville.

He was also a member of Knights of Columbus Council 2061 in Sayreville, and was a communicant of St. Bernadette's R.C. Church, Parlin. He was predeceased by two brothers, Klemack and Paul Gerlesky; four sisters, Virginia Casiere, Ann Haubochak, Blanche Mazzella and Gene Olear; and a brother-in-law, John Callahan. Surviving are his wife, Carol Callahan Gerlesky; daughters and their spouses, Theresa and Charley Powell of South River, Rose and Pat Russell of Union Beach, Susan Gerlesky and her companion, Donald Perrini of Parlin; sons and their spouses, Edward and Denise Gerlesky of Pottsville, John and Lorraine Gerlesky of Jackson, Eugene and Dina Gerlesky of Sayreville; three brothers and their spouses, Joseph and Kate Gerlesky of Olanta, and Syvilla Gerlesky of Carrolltown, Walter and Jane Gerlesky of Franklin; a sister and her husband, Louise and Al Kotrick of North Cambria, sister-inlaw, Rose Nafus of Sayreville; brother-in-law, Silvio Mazzella of West Virginia; grandchildren, Charles and Chad Powell, Courtney, Russell and Eric Mylon, Holly and Samantha Gerlesky, Chuck and Nicole Heil, and Kimberley and Sean Gerlesky; great-grandchildren, Donna Marie and Charles Powell III, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday at Kurzawa Funeral Home, 338 Main South Amboy, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Bernadette's R.C. Church, Parlin.

Burial will be at New Calvary Cemetery, Sayreville. Visiting hours will be 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. JOSEPH C.

HUBERT AGE: 83 MIDDLESEX Feb. 11, 2008, at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, Plain- Joseph C. Hubert, 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, field. Born in Shenandoah, he resided in Middlesex most of his life. Mr.

Hubert served proudly in the U.S. Army during World War II as a sergeant in the Pacific Theater. He was manager of the meat department for Acme Market, Edison, for 38 years before retiring in 1986. Inga Nielsen dies at 61, 'unique' Danish soprano THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Bayreuth in Germany and Salzburg in Austria, Aix-enCOPENHAGEN, Denmark Provence in France and EdInga Nielsen, the Danish so- inburgh, Scotland, well as as prano who performed in the some of the world's leading Mostly Mozart festival in New York. opera houses, has died.

She was 61. Although she was reNielsen died at a hospital spected internationally and in Copenhagen on Sunday, worked with such famed conRoyal Opera music director ductors as Herbert von KaraMichael Schoenwandt said jan and Giuseppe Sinopoli, Monday. He declined to give the reclusive Nielsen never the cause of death. Nielsen became a big star in her had suffered from cancer in home country. recent years.

One of Denmark's best Her first major appearance in Denmark wasn't until known sopranos, Nielsen performed such 1993, when she sang with on stages as La Scala in Milan, the Spanish tenor Placido DoVienna State Opera and Lon- mingo at two outdoor condon's Covent Garden. certs in Copenhagen. She also sang at the opening was unique. She was mony for the Storebaelt born with a great voice and at the same time, she had a bridge in 1998, wearing her great feeling for musicality," trademark red gown. Schoenwandt told The Asso- In 2006, she made her last ciated Press.

"The opera major public appearance at world has lost a big voice." Copenhagen's Tivoli gardens Nielsen sang at festivals to mark her 35 years as a. across Europe, including professional singer. He was an antique car enthusiast and will be remembered for being a devoted and caring husband and father who will be sadly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. Joseph will also be remembered for his friendly personality and is now going home to be with the Lord. Surviving are his beloved wife of 54 years, Anna Kistler Hubert; his son, Paul Hubert of Middlesex; a and a sister, Katherine Hubert of Maryland.

Funeral services will begin at 9 a.m. Friday at Middlesex Funeral Home, 528 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church, Harris Middlesex. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah, Pa. Visiting hours will be 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.middlesexfuneralhome.com. MARIE JONAP AGE: DECATUR, Ga. Marie Jonap of Decatur, formerly of Sayreville, passed away at her home on Friday, Feb.

8, 2008. Marie was born in Sayreville on May 25, 1920, to Emily Esser and John Salmon. She was married to Dr. Stephan Jonap, who practiced medicine in upstate New York and South Amboy for over 50 years. Marie loved to read and travel.

She was especially fond of Italy, where she, her husband and son lived for a period of time. Venice was her favorite place to be. Because of her extensive travels through Europe, and love of fine food, she became a gourmet cook. Marie passed her cooking skills onto her grandchildren. Marie also enjoyed needlework.

She made over 100 afghans for her family and close friends. Each afghan was elegant and artistic, and each one is treasured by those who received one. Upon moving to Georgia in the early 1980s, she began watercolor and acrylic painting. She was so talented that many of her friends eagerly awaited holidays as they would receive one of her special watercolor greeting cards. Marie also had a bird sanctuary on her patio garden.

Several native Atlanta bird species would visit her feeders. She took such pleasure in identify. ing each one and naming the regulars. Marie loved nature, life, and people, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Every.

one who came in contact with her felt welcomed and loved. She was unselfish and caring. Her memory will live on in all whose lives she touched. Marie is survived by her son, John W. Jonap, her daughter law, Suzanne Jonap and grandchildren, Jeffrey and Amy, all of Atlanta, and Amy's fiance, Daniel Wiseman of Marietta, Ga.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Kate Salmon of South Amboy; two nieces, Eileen Nalepa of Colorado and Adrian Salmon of South Amboy, and a nephew, Robert Salmon, also of New Jer- To place Please Call Flo Boese At Least an 10 Days Prior To Run Date. For Rates And Information In Remembrance 732-565-7414 Rep. Tom Lantos, 80, survivor of Nazi camp sey. She leaves behind her loving companion and caregiver, Chelrice "Reeccee" Grant of Alpharetta, her longtime friend and housekeeper, Helen McWhorter of Decatur, and her caregivers, Hermie Radford, Mercy Koon and Clarice Grant. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr.

Stephen Jonap, and her brother, Edward "Buddy" Salmon. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Tucker, Ga. Contributions can be made in her memory to Emory University Department of Psychiatry, Attention: Dr.

Charles Nemeroff, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4000, Atlanta, GA 30322. A.S. Turner Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. OLGA McDONNELL AGE: 81 MATAWAN Olga E. McDonnell, 81, of Matawan passed away on Sunday, Feb.

10, 2008, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Olga was born in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, N.Y., and has been a resident of Matawan for the past 40 years. She worked as a telephone operator for Marlboro State Hospital, Marlboro, and than went on to work in food service for the Old Bridge Township School System. Olga enjoyed many things like walking, reading, music, spending time with family and friends, and she was also an avid sports fan. She was a loving mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.

She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, John McDonnell, in 1999, and a brother, Carl Abraham. She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Frances and Carlos Moreno of Matawan, Regina and Peter Casciato of San Francisco, and Laura and David Stephens of Kendall Park; a brother, Edmond Abraham of Scranton, eight grandchildren, John, David and Michael Moreno, Zachary, Sam and Victoria Casciato, and Cody and Taylor Stephens, and a greatgrandchild, Morgan Moreno. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Waitt-Nelms Funeral Home, 501 Hwy.

79, Morganville. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Clement's R.C. Church, Matawan, followed by interment in Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel.

Other obituaries B2 In Remembrance In loving memory of ANN MARKUS who departed this life 10 years ago this day February 12, 1998 Ten years ago today you left this earth, But you have never left our hearts. Sadly Missed Loved By Your Entire Family THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON Rep. Tom Lantos, who as a teenager twice escaped from a Nazi-run forced labor camp in Hungary and became the only Holocaust survivor to win a seat in Congress, has died. He was 80. Spokeswoman Lynne Weil said Lantos, a Californian, died early Monday at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center in suburban Maryland.

He was surrounded by his wife, Annette, two daughters, and many of his 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Annette Lantos said in a statement that her husband's life was "defined by courage, optimism, and unwavering dedication to his principles and to his family." Lantos, a Democrat who chaired the House Foreign Affairs Committee, disclosed last month that he had been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. He said at the time that he would serve out his 14th term but would not seek re-election in his Northern California district, which takes in the southwest portion of San Francisco and suburbs to the south including Lantos' home of San Mateo. President Bush praised Lantos in a statement as "a man of character and a champion of human rights." Flags were lowered to halfstaff at the White House and Capitol. Lantos, who referred to himself as "an American by choice," was born to Jewish parents in Budapest, Hungary, and was 16 when Adolf Hitler occupied Hungary in 1944.

He survived by escaping from the labor camp and coming under the protection of Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who used his official status and visa-issuing powers to save thousands of Hungarian Jews. Lantos' mother and much of his family perished in the Holocaust. That background gave Lantos a moral authority unique in Congress and he used it repeatedly to speak out on foreign-policy issues, sometimes courting controversy. Lantos was outspoken on human rights in Sudan, Myanmar and elsewhere, and in 2006 was one of five members of Congress arrested in a protest outside the Sudanese Embassy over what the Bush administration describes as genocide in Darfur. He joined the Bush administration in strong support of Israel and was a lead advocate for the 2002 congressional resolution authorizing the Iraq invasion, though he would become a strong critic of President Bush's handling of the war.

Lantos, who was elected to the House in 1980, founded the Congressional Human Rights Caucus in 1983. In early 2004 he led the first congressional delegation to Libya in more than 30 years, meeting personally with Moammar Gadhafi and urging the Bush administration to show "good faith" to the North African leader in his pledge to abandon his nuclear weapons programs. Later that year, President Bush lifted sanctions against Libya. Lantos was elected to Congress after spending three decades teaching economics at San Francisco State University, working as a business consultant and serving as a foreign policy commentator on television. He challenged GOP incumbent Rep.

Bill Royer in 1980 and won narrowly, subsequently winning re-election by comfortable margins. Lantos came to the United States in 1947 after being awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Washington in Seattle. In 1950 he married Annette, his childhood sweetheart, with whom he'd managed to reunite after the war. The couple moved to the San Francisco Bay area so Lantos could pursue a doctorate in economics at the University of California, Berkeley. Lantos joined the Hungarian Underground after the Nazi occupation but was captured and sent to a forced labor camp 40 miles north of Budapest, according to the biography on his congressional Web site.

He was beaten severely when he tried to escape, but feeling he had nothing to lose he made another attempt. This time he made it back to Budapest and to one of the safe houses that Wallenberg had established. "The bloodbath, the cruelty, the death that I saw, so many times around me during those few months between March of 1944 and January of 1945 made me a very old young man." Lantos and his wife had two daughters, Annette and Katrina, who between them produced 18 grandchildren, one of whom died young. According to Lantos, his daughters were following through on a promise to produce a very large family because his and his wife's families had perished in the Holocaust. Funeral DIRECTORY TO ADVERTISE IN THE FUNERAL DIRECTORY ONLY, PLEASE CALL BARBARA AT 732-565-7407 Let us take care of you.

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