JUNK — Ron Junk, 73. All his life he wanted to be a police officer. Ron would work for a few years for the Glassboro department before he was hired by the newly formed Woolwich Township Police; one of the first four officers to be hired. And with his hiring, Woolwich got a two for one: he came with his K9, Hans, one of the first police dogs in the area. He took “protect and serve” to heart: stranded motorists would find a warm dinner at his table and a place to sleep in his home while their cars were being fixed. And you were much more likely to receive some fatherly advice and a warning from Ron than any kind of a ticket: it was everyone’s “lucky day.”
He was also an entrepreneur; Junk Enterprises acted as an independent distributor for a large company out of their home: Thursdays were “soap night” with people coming and going collecting boxes of goods. Though Ron was surely a man’s man, he fell into his role as the only male in the house for many years with relative ease: many a last-minute run to the store to meet the girls’ needs.
Luckily, many years later, Josh would arrive; finally blessed with a son, he beamed with pride. He wasn’t the strictest of dads; Ron and Vicki played good cop, bad cop. For the most part Vicki played the role of the bad cop. Unless, of course, a young man showed up to take the girls out on a date. In that case, Ron would use the opportunity to clean his gun at the kitchen table.
The Junk family has a history of service to our nation: Ron volunteered to go to Vietnam in the Coast Guard; Josh followed him in service in Afghanistan.
One of his easier stints in the Coast Guard found him stationed in Sea Isle. The handsome guy happened on some pretty girls heading to the beach to do some surfing. The prettiest told her friend that Ron was the one. Their 50-year marriage was blessed by 3 children: Julie Dellaquilla, Staci (Mike) Aquilante and Josh (Morgan); and later by 9 grandchildren, Jordan, Joey, Jina, and Josie (Dellaquilla), Allie, Michael, Nina and Nicolette (Aquilante), and Jayce (Junk). He is survived by his brother, Harry (JoAnn) Junk, and his brother-in-law, Skeeter (Susan) Urion. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Joe and Molly Junk, his sister, Kathy Junk, and his father and mother in law, Bob and Jean Urion.
Interment Lake Park Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Wilmington VA Medical Center, Nursing Home Resident Fund, 1601 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE 19805.
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FRANKLIN — Irving John Franklin, age 88 of Swedesboro, died April 23, 2021 in Inspira Medical Center in Mullica Hill.
A lifelong resident of Swedesboro, Irving was the only son of Benjamin R. Franklin and Mae C. Franklin, both of whom were also residents of Swedesboro as well as Woodstown.
Irving graduated from Swedesboro High School in 1949. He attended Cannon School of Art in Philadelphia until 1954 before being employed at Aero Service Corp., also in Philadelphia, as a draftsman and cartographer until 1970. In 1973, he joined Alaimo Assoc. Engineers in Mount Holly, where, in 1982, he won the award for drafting excellence given by the Consulting Engineers Council of NJ. Irving retired from Alaimo Associates in 1997. Irving was a member of Thompson Tours Inc. since 1983.
He is survived by his cousins, Mrs. Bette E. Leonard, Mr. James Billings Jr., and Mrs. Jeanette M. Wall and their families.
Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to his family.
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COUGHLIN — William Frank Coughlin, of Mickleton, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in his home on April 24, 2021. He was 74.
A great father and husband who was dedicated to his family, Bill left a lasting impression on those he knew and cared for. Bill was outgoing and had an infectious personality. He loved his family and adored time spent with his grandchildren. Bill had a passion for hunting; never missing a season in 47 years, he enjoyed spending time outdoors, working in the yard of his dream home, and he was a car enthusiast.
After graduating from West Deptford High School in 1965, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for his heroism during the war. Once he returned home, he took over his father’s business, William F. Coughlin & Son Construction located in Verga where their work is well known within the area. He continued his work in the construction industry for 40 years as a building inspector, finally retiring in 2008.
He is the beloved husband of 47 years to Mary Kathryn “Kitty” Coughlin; devoted father of Kimberly Layton (Vincent) and William Coughlin (Rachelle); dear brother to JoAnn Turner (Irv) and the late Linda Mertz; loving grandfather to Trent, Mackenzie, Logan and Ashlyn. Bill is also survived by his nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Please share a memory with his family to keep William’s legacy alive by visiting www.mcgfuneral.com. Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Angelic Health Hospice at www.donations.angelic.health.
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HURST — James O. Hurst, age 95, of Glen Mills, PA, formerly of Mickleton, died peacefully April 28, 2021. Jim was born and raised in Paulsboro and graduated from Paulsboro High School Class of 1943. After graduation he joined the Navy as a Seabee and served in the South Pacific. After the war, Jim returned home and began working at Mobil Oil, where he continued to work until retirement. His final assignment with Mobil Oil was in Saudi Arabia in 1983 where he and his wife, Rita, enjoyed traveling in Europe and Southeast Asia.
A dedicated sports fan, Jim was involved in Westville Little League and Babe Ruth. He refereed high school basketball and was an avid bowler. He also volunteered with the Old Timers Baseball Club give-away staff for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jim was a member of Incarnation Roman Catholic Church, serving as a member of their Seniors Club. He was also A Life Member of the Anthony T Calista VFW Post 5579 in Gibbstown and served as Vice President of the Paulsboro High School Golden Anniversary Club.
He was predeceased by his wife, Rita and is survived by his daughter Marilyn (Roy) Lehman, of Woolwich Township, his daughter Janice Kunst, of Media, PA, his son James (Susan) of Coatesville PA, his grandchildren, Jackie (Don) Gusic, Jaimie (JD) Bottorf, Gary Lehman, Bill (Maria) Lehman, Keith (Jill) Lehman, Nicholas (Lori) Hurst and Erin McGrogan, his great grandchildren Felix and Amelia Gusic, Kaitlyn and Emily Bottorf, Jackson, Reese and Cole Lehman, and Artemis Hurst, and his brother Harry (Peg) of Potomac Falls, VA.
Services were held in the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, 228 W. Broad St., Paulsboro. Contributions can be made in his memory to St. John of God, School for Special Children, 1145 Delsea, Drive, Westville NJ 08093-7030, or online at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E346760&id=1. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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VONDERTANN — Mary Prigger VonderTann passed away on April 29, two days short of her 104th birthday, and through those years she lived a life that was an inspiration to all who met her and aged in a way that seemed miraculous.
Born in Pedricktown, she was a first from the area to graduate from a 2 year business school, Goldey Beacom. She married Dr. William Edward Prigger in 1940 with whom she raised their 2 children, Conrad and Suzanne in Penns Grove, NJ. She was very active in her community, and church, and volunteered for numerous local civic organizations.
After Ed’s death in 1961, she was a substitute school teacher in the Penns Grove-Carneys Point School District. In 1973, she married James Knight, a funeral director in Berlin NJ, with whom she enjoyed a life of new experiences and traveled extensively. Upon Jim’s death, in 1989, she married Leroy Vonder Tann and continued to enjoy life residing in Mt. Laurel NJ and West Palm Beach, Fl. When Roy passed in 1998, she spent her last years living with her daughter and son-in-law in Woolwich Township, blessed with good health, and a loving family life and friends.
She is survived by her children, Conrad and MaryBeth Prigger, Suzanne and Fred Campo; grandchildren; Bryan Campo, Jeff and Angela Campo, Conrad and Lucy Prigger; and great-grandchildren Bella, Lynnae, Chloe and Ella.
In lieu of flowers, anyone can donate to their charity of choice.
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POOL — Gladys “Beth” Elizabeth Pool age 79 of Mickleton, passed away at home on April 30, 2021. Born in Woodbury to the late Jean LeRoy Angelo and Velma (Willets Ledden), she graduated from Woodstown High School Class of 1959. She milked cows on their dairy farm (Sebowisha Farms) while raising her family. She spent years giving tours of the farm to grade school children to educate them on agriculture.
Beth served as a director on the American Farm Bureau and New Jersey Farm Bureau Women’s Committees. She also served as director of Gloucester County Board of Agriculture and worked closely with the Ronald McDonald House in Camden.
She spent years as a 4-H leader teaching children to cook and sew and later was active as a member of the Gloucester County 4-H Fair Association, running the food concession serving thousands of people at the 4-H fair each year. Most of all, Beth loved to entertain and enjoyed cooking for and spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, E. Owen Pool, four children, Richard (Heather) Pool, David (Martha) Pool, Linda (Michael) Blum, and John (Noel) Pool, ten grandchildren, Kristin, Machaela, Lynette (Troy), Elliot (Erin), Caitlyn, Taylor, Courtney, John Jacob, Daniel and Levi, two great grandchildren, Alice Jeanne and Ruth Lee, her sisters, Dori Angelo-Showell (Ronald), Christine Angelo Betsy, her brother, Kenneth Angelo, her sister-in-law, Olga Pool and many nieces and nephews. She also is survived by two special nephews, Terry Poole and Jay Betsy. Beth was predeceased by her brothers-in-law James Betsy, Harold and Harry Pool & Elmer (Peggy) Poole.
A memorial service will be held at a future date. Contributions can be made to NJ Farm Bureau, 168 West State St, Trenton NJ 08608, in memory of Gladys (Beth) Pool Ag Education Scholarship Fund.
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LESHICK — William Leshick, 83, of Woolwich Township, passed away on May 4 at his residence. Born in Perth Amboy, NJ, he had resided in Woolwich Twp. for the past 2 ½ yrs. coming from Colts Neck, NJ.
Bill was a graduate of Red Bank Regional High School, Class of ’55 and, before retiring, was employed as a Draftsman at UTE in Asbury Park, NJ. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Colts Neck, NJ and had attended Mass at St. Joseph’s Campus of St. Claire of Assisi Parish, Swedesboro, NJ.
He enjoyed golfing, bird watching and flowers. He also loved to vacation at Treasure Island, Florida. He was the husband of the late Joan Marie Leshick (2006). They were married in 1960.
He is survived by his children, Kimberly Leshick, Leah Leshick and Keith Leshick and granddaughter Statiana Leshick.
Contributions in his memory to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.
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LIVINGSTON — Alexa (AyJay) Livingston (nee Zahniser), 24, of Clarksville, Arkansas, passed away on the morning of May 8, 2021.
AyJay (her preferred name) was a creative soul. Her talent was amazing, as she saw the world with an artist’s perspective. She drew portraits, created artwork for tattoos, and designed custom painted shoes for friends. She loved the outdoors and had a passion for adventure. AyJay loved to fish, learning at an early age how to catch, clean, and then cook them over an open fire.
She hiked the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia, rock climbed and zip-lined in the New River Gorge, and did the Edge Walk on top of the CN Tower in Toronto. AyJay was also a competitive swimmer from a young age. She qualified for the NJ YMCA State Championships at age 12 and Junior Olympics at age 14. She also competed for Kingsway Regional High School as a varsity swimmer.
Advice that AyJay felt strongly about is that people should be their authentic self despite the expectations of others. AyJay accomplished many things in her short life, but her greatest legacy was the birth of her daughter.
AyJay is survived by her husband Ryan, daughter Rose, brother Nick, and her parents Bert and Sharon.
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WHITE — Steven W. White, 61, of Mullica Hill, passed away on May 10, 2021 with his loved ones by his side after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Steve became a licensed CPA in 1993 during his dedicated years of service with the Trevose, PA public accounting firm of Voynow, Bayard, Whyte and Company from November 1986 to October 2013. Over those 27 years, Steve proved to be the consummate professional to his co-workers and long-standing clientele, and an expert in automotive accounting. He continued with his journey in the automotive world when he joined the Kerbeck Automotive Group in NJ in 2014 until present.
Steve is survived by his loving fiancé Sharon Sutherland, her son Adam, and granddaughter Jewls/Juliana.
Donations may be made to Jefferson at newjersey.jeffersonhealth.org/giving/ donate-now Condolences to www.FERTIGFUNERALHOME.com
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PETILLO — Leslie Ann Petillo (nee Scott) was born on July 16, 1954 to John Scott, Jr. and Jean Scott (nee Staley).
When Leslie arrived, the family lived in a small ranch home on Philmont Avenue in Huntington Valley, PA. The Scotts were deeply integrated into their neighborhood and the Huntington Valley Presbyterian Church community. John and Jean helped start a local swim club which gave all the new families an opportunity to connect with one another.
Several years later, Leslie got the chance to be a big sister when Alison was born. The girls had many playmates in the neighborhood. They also had their hands full with Beauregard J. Bugle Boy, a rambunctious beagle hound who had to be kept fenced in the backyard because he always wanted to run out into the woods around their home.
The Scotts soon realized that they were outgrowing their house and that the traffic on Philmont Avenue was getting too dangerous for two girls who loved to play outside. They found a lot for sale and built their new home on Edencroft Road just in time to welcome another daughter and sister, Wendy.
The family kept busy with school and church and stayed active in their neighborhood. Leslie and her sisters learned to swim at the Valley Swim Club (the club her parents helped create), and her fondness for swimming inspired her to become a lifeguard during the summer months. It was around this time that they all began to vacation in Ocean City, NJ, a place that Leslie would come to treasure for the rest of her life. The family went on trips to the zoo, the 1964 New York World’s Fair, and summer vacations to the Statue of Liberty, Niagara Falls and of course, the shore.
Through the encouragement of her father (an engineer), Leslie learned to explore the beauty of nature that surrounded the Scott family home, climbing trees and learning to identify the bountiful wildlife of birds and insects that populated the wooded area near a small creek close by the house. Leslie appreciated simple things and quiet moments.
In August 1970, Leslie’s father had a work trip to Japan, and the rest of the family met him in Hawaii on his way home for a vacation. Leslie filled a small jar with sand from the gorgeous Hawaiian beaches to bring back with her, which she kept on a shelf at home. It was mementos like these that were most special to her.
Leslie graduated from Lower Moreland High School and entered nursing school at Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1972. She learned to apply her scientific curiosity fostered by her father to help others heal and recover from injuries and sickness. She graduated in 1975 and started nursing as a career. She worked diligently to help her patients receive the best care possible, cultivating a bedside manner of comfort and compassion.
Leslie met Anthony Petillo at a college party in Philadelphia in 1975. When an aspiring young Anthony asked her for her phone number, she was ready with her own notepad and pencil (she was always prepared for pretty much anything at any given time).
Leslie and Anthony became engaged in July 1976, and they were married on October 8, 1977. The couple worked hard at their respective jobs and saved money in order to purchase their first home in Northeast Philadelphia in March 1977.
Their first son, Michael, was born in 1980. The family bought a brand-new house in Langhorne, in Bucks County, PA. In 1986, their second son Richard was born. Their neighborhood had a swimming pool where she loved to take Mike and Rich for swimming lessons and spend time with other families and their children. The community also had ponds (full of geese, fish and the occasional snapping turtle) where the whole family would enjoy visiting. The new house was in a cul-de-sac, which was perfect for learning how to ride bikes and play Wiffle ball. Leslie would often be the first mom on the block to run outside to hand out a band-aid to cover a skinned knee or a cold drink and snack to the neighborhood kids. Leslie loved when their street threw block parties during the summer months and would be one of the last people to leave any social gathering, making sure that everyone had a good time, and also ensuring that everything was cleaned up properly. Leslie loved to host family gatherings and holiday parties at the Petillo home. She understood the critical importance of celebrating “the good times.” Leslie created a home that wasn’t just a home for her family but was a refuge for neighbors to congregate and a place where her sons’ friends were always welcome to play. She reveled in being supportive of others and providing an inviting presence to all.
In 1984 Leslie’s parents bought a house on Bay Avenue in Ocean City. This house was certainly one of Leslie’s “happy places.” She loved being only a few blocks away from the ocean and beach and watching her sons and their cousins play outside together in the backyard. Leslie enjoyed spending time with her family on the boardwalk and taking them to her favorite “go-to” places to get pizza, ice cream and souvenirs. She’d tell stories of her childhood summers spent there and point out the places where she held her seasonal jobs when she was a teenager.
When her children were old enough to watch themselves after school, Leslie started a job in Bristol Township School District where she was a school nurse. Of course, even when she was working a busy job which entailed watching over other kids, she never disregarded her first commitment to being the best mother she could be to Mike and Rich. As a mom, she made sure her children explored anything they were interested in, including tolerating Mike and his band playing crashing loud punk music in the family basement and encouraging Rich’s hobbies of baseball, golf, drama club and school mathletes. Leslie also loved traveling with her family throughout the U.S., including favorite destinations such as San Francisco, San Diego, and Disney World.
In addition to being a loving mom, Leslie remained close with her sisters, Alison and Wendy. They shared a deep and vital bond and leaned on each other through the tides of life. She loved all of her cousins, nieces, and nephews dearly.
When their two sons left for college and careers, Leslie and Anthony decided to downsize. Anthony was hired by a new company based in Swedesboro, NJ, so the two of them bought a home nearby. Leslie quickly became active in her new community of Four Seasons at Weatherby and naturally assumed a role as ambassador, helping new residents feel immediately at home. She became active on several committees tasked with beautifying streets and common areas and planned many social events at the community clubhouse, such as holiday parties, Karaoke nights, barbecues, and Philadelphia-themed parties featuring cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, Tasty Kakes and some of her favorite Philly soul music (Anthony, an avid music lover, often volunteered to be the D.J.).
As in her previous homes, Leslie connected with nature, setting up bird feeders around her house, and planting flowers and bushes in the community garden. She adored hummingbirds, appreciating their delicate yet energetic spirit, and would take videos of them to share with her sons and neighbors whenever the birds visited her at the feeder outside the kitchen window.
Leslie valued the following tenets: always be kind and respectful to other people (no matter who they are), always take responsibility for your actions, and be sure to care for others. She was a nearly bottomless well of comfort and empathy, someone that longtime close friends as well as a person she just recently met could rely on. She could sense what people needed – whether it was simple gestures like a phone call, mailing a card, or delivering a ready-made meal whenever a neighbor or family member was going through a tough time.
Leslie is survived by her husband, Anthony, her two sons Michael (Kaveri) and Richard (Alyssa) as well as her siblings Alison Beal (Wayne) and Wendy Flood (David). She was a compassionate sister-in-law to Denise Norris (William) and Joseph Petillo (Maureen). Leslie was also a loving aunt to nine nieces and nephews who she enjoyed spending time with at holiday gatherings and down the shore. She maintained close relationships with all of her extended Scott and Petillo relatives living across the country, because her family always came first.
Leslie’s family invites you to celebrate her memory by embodying her kind and caring spirit and her tenacity to show up for others even when it is challenging. Donations can be made to one of Leslie’s favorite charities, HEADstrong Foundation, 232 Green Ave. Holmes, PA 19043. A remembrance celebration was held at 11AM at Lake Narraticon Swedesboro Park, 144 East Avenue, Swedesboro, NJ 08085.
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LOCKWOOD — Curtis L. Lockwood, age 66 of Woolwich, formerly of Pilesgrove, died May 15. Born in Staten Island, NY, on September 24, 1954, he was the son of the late George & Marie (Evensen) Lockwood. Curtis was a longtime surgeon, treating and caring for patients throughout Salem County and surrounding communities.
His greatest joys, outside of work, were being on the water, whether on his boat or on a family cruise to Bermuda. He loved vacationing with family and enjoyed many wonderful trips to the Poconos, South Carolina, and Virginia Beach. He was an avid sports enthusiast who loved the New York Giants and college basketball, especially March Madness.
Curt was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and felt most comfortable at home watching old shows on TV Land with his loving wife, Linda. He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda (Burns); his son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Stacy; his daughter and son-in-law, Samantha and Benton; his grandchildren, Matthew, Benjamin, and Charlotte; and his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerald and Lynn and Russell and Pam. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Mark, and his brother, George. Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to his family. Donations in Curt’s name can be made to The Arc of Salem County, an organization close to him and his family.
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GANNON — Theresa A. Gannon age 62, of Mickleton, passed away on May 20.
Born in Woodbury to the late Charles Mogar and Mary Vitagliano, she graduated from Clearview Regional High School Class of 1976. Theresa earned a degree from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and was a Pharmacist most recently at South Jersey Healthcare, Elmer Hospital. She was a member of the Church of the Incarnation and active with the St. Vincent DePaul Society.
She loved reading and was a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Union. Theresa enjoyed taking vacations with her family, and always found a way to include shopping or a museum into each trip.
She is survived by her husband, William Gannon, two children, Jessica Marucci and her husband Steve of Mickleton, NJ, Stephen Gannon & his girlfriend Annie Wightman of Chadds Ford, PA, two brothers, Raymond Hutchinson and Michael Mogar, three brothers-in-law, Patrick Gannon and his wife Tracey, Christopher Gannon and his wife Cindy, and Gerard Gannon and his wife Kathy, and many nieces and nephews. Theresa was predeceased by her two brothers, Charles Mogar, Don Mogar, and her sister, Marlene Smith.
As an expression of sympathy, contributions can be made to gofundme.com/f/theresagannon which shares her incredible story, and the charities that will receive a donation in her honor. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.
