HOLDCRAFT — Grace Hebb Holdcraft, 91, died peacefully at home in Mickleton on Oct. 15, 2019. Her loving spirit lives on in her husband of 69 years, Bill Holdcraft; son David Holdcraft and his wife Greta Schoonover, of Breckenridge, CO; daughter Suzanne Sherrard and her husband Alexander “Sandy” Sherrard, of Hopewell, NJ, and granddaughters, Emily Sherrard and her husband Billy Watkins, and Tricia Sherrard and her fiancé Mike Farrell.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Grace to the Permanent Fund at Kemble Memorial United Methodist Church, 19 S. Broad St, Woodbury, NJ 08096.
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BROWN — Gertrude L. Brown, age 80 of Middletown, DE, formerly of Harrisonville, passed away peacefully at home in her sleep while surrounded by her family and friends.
Born in Monroe, NY, she was the daughter of the late Walter D. & Marie (Gromlick) Coons. Gertrude was a 1956 graduate of Swedesboro High School. She met her husband, Buddy, on a blind date that was arranged by Buddy’s brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Shirley, while they were in high school. They were always known for their love of dancing from their teenage years throughout their lives, including the Jitterbug, disco, and country line dancing. They owned and operated their store, The Brown Bag in Harrisonville for 19 years, retiring in 2001.
She was a loving wife, mother, and Mom-Mom. Gertrude is survived by her husband of 61 years, Wilbert C. “Buddy” Brown; her daughter, Donna Marie Brown Bailey (and Vincent) ; her son, Douglas C. Brown (and Larry); her grandchildren, Paige Marie Bailey-Rogers (and Mark), and Russell Douglas Bailey; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Bruce and Evelyn Coons, Robert and Becky Coons, Donald and Shirley Coons, and Walter and Cindy Coons.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church, PO Box 2, Harrisonville, NJ, 08039, or to Summit United Methodist Church, 554 Old Summit Bridge Rd., Middletown, DE 19709. Please visit www.htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to her family.
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HOUSTON — Jannigje B. Houston, age 72 of Logan Township departed this life on Nov. 27, 2019. She will be missed by her loving family and friends.
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SOLINA — Lucia “Lucy” Solina (nee Cincotta), 96, of Mullica Hill, passed away on Nov. 29, 2019 surrounded by her family. Born on Feb. 28, 1923 in Brooklyn, NY, she was predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph, son Peter, grandson Angelo and son-in-law James Newcome. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Patti Solina; her children Phil (Diane) Solina, Josie Newcome and Joe Solina, Jr.; 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
Lucy was a member of the VFW Ladies Aux., Cootiettes, the Elk’s Club, Italian Club, and the Pinochle Card Club. She was a devoted member of Holy Name of Jesus RC Church, Mullica Hill, the Senior’s Club and enjoyed knitting and gambling, but most of all her family and friends, feeding everyone spaghetti and her famous meatballs.
Donations may be made to Manor Care, 550 Jessup Rd., Paulsboro, NJ 08066. Thoughts and prayers may be extended to the family at www.FERTIGFUNERALHOME.com.
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CALTABIANO — Philip A. Caltabiano age 79 years of Mullica Hill died Sunday Dec. 1, 2019 in his home.
Mr. Caltabiano was born in Philadelphia and lived his whole life on the farm. He was a 1959 graduate of Swedesboro High School and worked on the family Farm, Diamond C Orchards for over 50 years. He was a member of the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit, Holy Name of Jesus Church, Mullica Hill. Mr. Caltabiano was a member of the Wolf Pack Deer Club, enjoyed hunting in Maine, spending time with his grandchildren and loved his farm.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Lenora Caltabiano (nee Burt) of Mullica Hill; his daughters, Christine Harris of Washington Twp., Joell and Jake Murphy of Gibbstown; his grandchildren, Allison Innes and Philip Murphy; his brothers, Alfred Caltabiano and Ronald and Sue Caltabiano, both of Mullica Hill; his sisters, Alfina Barbagallo of Swedesboro, Ann Marie and Sam Licciardello of Mullica Hill and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Caltabiano was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Josephine Caltabiano and his brother, Mario Caltabiano.
Contributions can be made to the family. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com. Arrangements by McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro.
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BUNDY — Eleanor Bundy, age 101, of Swedesboro, departed this life Dec. 14, 2019 at home. She’s survived by many loving family and friends.
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FELL — Harry L. Fell age 87 years of Bridgeport died Dec. 17, 2019 in Golden Nursing Home, Mannington.
Mr. Fell was born in Paulsboro, raised on the family farm in Swedesboro and moved to Bridgeport in 1964. He retired from Richman’s Ice Cream in Woodstown after a career as a truck driver. Mr. Fell was a member of St. Paul’s U.M. Church, Bridgeport, Tall Pines Gun Club, a Life Member of Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Association where he was past Captain, Vice President and Trustee. He also served as Secretary of the Logan Township Exempt Firemen’s Association. In his free time was an avid Phillies Fan, enjoyed playing with his grandpuppies and eating breakfast at Sam’s in Gibbstown and later the Swedesboro Diner.
He is survived by his children, John Fell of West Deptford, Barry and Becky Fell of Bridgeport, DeeAnn Fell of Bridgeport; his grandchildren, William Hess, Morgan Fell and Tyler Fell and his sister, Mabel Gaventa of Mullica Hill. Mr. Fell was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Fell; his brother, Willard Fell and his sisters, Edith Fullerton and Frances West.
Contributions can be made in his memory to the Restoration Fund of the Ward LaFrance, c/o Bridgeport Fire Co, PO Box 488, Bridgeport, NJ 08014. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com. Services were held at McBride-Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro.
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HOLDCRAFT — John Willard “Bill” Holdcraft passed away peacefully on Dec. 18, 2019, at the age of 98 after a brief illness. We believe that he may have died from a “broken heart” after experiencing the death of his beloved wife of 69 years, Grace, just a little over two months ago.
At 98, he outlived all of his contemporaries, but was always making new friends. Bill was a lifelong resident of South Jersey. He was born in Swedesboro, and he and his mother and father, three older brothers and younger sister lived in Bridgeport for many years. He remembers not having any electricity or indoor plumbing in his early years. He attended grammar school in Bridgeport and then moved to Paulsboro High School where he graduated in 1939.
Bill took a job at DuPont after high school and remained there until he was drafted into the Army (US Army Air Corps). He trained as an aircraft mechanic at Chanute Field in Rantoul, IL, and he shipped out to England on the Queen Mary in July 1942. Bill would spend over two years in England with the 8th Air Force taking care of vital fighter planes, including P47 Thunderbolts and P51 Mustangs.
Upon his return to Bridgeport, Bill’s brother Harvey encouraged him to take advantage of the GI Bill and attend college. He attended Temple High School in Philadelphia to take some refresher courses to prepare for college. His chemistry teacher, a graduate of Waynesburg College, encouraged him to apply to Waynesburg, where Bill graduated in 1951 with hopes of attending medical school.
While at Waynesburg, he met Grace Hebb and the two of them married on September 2, 1950. Bill began medical school at Jefferson Medical College in September 1952 and did his residency in Duluth, MN, where his daughter Suzanne was born. In July of 1957, he joined a medical practice in Woodbury, NJ, with Dr. Robert Puff, where he faithfully served the medical needs of the community for almost 35 years. He was also the Deputy Medical Examiner for Gloucester County for 15 years.
Bill dearly loved his children Suzanne and David, and grandchildren Emily and Tricia. The family spent many vacations together at Loon Lake, where Bill had the foresight to buy a house in 1961. The property at Chester Shores became Grace and Bill’s summer getaway and will be enjoyed by generations to come.
One of Bill’s passions included playing golf. He was a member of the Woodbury Country Club for many years. He also liked to hunt, and he and his band of New Jersey Sound Shooters traveled to the Adirondacks every fall to talk and laugh and share meals. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, and because of Grace’s job at a travel agency in Woodbury they enjoyed trips to England, Alaska, the Baltic Sea, and the Mediterranean Islands among others. He especially cherished his first trip back to England in 45 years to share his wartime memories with Grace and to visit the historic cemeteries at Normandy.
One of Bill’s proudest moments was attending the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit as a Reagan delegate. In January following Reagan’s election, he and Grace attended the inaugural ball in Washington.
Grace and Bill never forgot their time at Waynesburg. They started an annual Waynesburg reunion with a group of close friends that lasted for over 40 years. Bill became involved with the university first as an Alumni Trustee, then as a regular Trustee, and finally as a Trustee Emeritus. He was also deeply involved at Kemble Methodist Church where he was a trustee for 30 years. Bill and Grace shared a strong spiritual faith and loved Kemble.
Bill was predeceased by his wife Grace, his parents Harvey and Emily Holdcraft, and his older brothers Harvey, Robert, and Emerson. He is survived by his sister Janice Krause. His loving spirit lives on in son David Holdcraft and his wife Greta Schoonover, of Breckenridge, CO, daughter Suzanne Sherrard and her husband Alexander “Sandy” Sherrard, of Hopewell, NJ., and granddaughters, Emily Sherrard and her husband Billy Watkins, and Tricia Sherrard, and her fiancé’ Mike Farrell. Bill’s unending optimism, keen sense of humor, and loyal friendship will be truly missed.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Bill to the Permanent Fund at Kemble Methodist Church, 19 S. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096. Memories may be shared at www.buddfuneralhome.com.
