CAIRA — Anthony Caira, Sr. of Mickleton, passed away on May 25 at the age of 84 years. Anthony was born June 9, 1940, in Camden, to the late Louis Caira and Grace Rose De Simone (nee Calista). He grew up in Gibbstown, graduated from Paulsboro High School Class of 1957, and worked for DuPont (Gibbstown) and PSE&G (Salem) until his retirement in 2002.
Anthony earned a BS from Rutgers in 1979. He served in the US Army Reserves and Air Force Reserves.
Beloved husband of 42 years to the late Jo Anne Caira (nee Murray), father of Anthony, Jr. (Nancy, deceased), Mark (Kathleen), and Christopher (Raquel), brother of Louis (deceased) and Richard, grandfather of Claire, Emma, Grace, Jacob, and Sophia and longtime companion of Mary Ann DeRicco.
A viewing was held at McBride-Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Please make donations to St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 130 Broad St, Swedesboro, NJ. 08085. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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MAGIN — Katherine Magin, 89, (nee Wilson) formerly of Paulsboro, passed away at the home of her daughter in Deptford on May 27.
Born in Swedesboro, she graduated from the Walter Hill High School, Class of ’53, and resided in Paulsboro for 62 years before moving to Deptford in 2014.
She retired in 1972 from Dupont, Deepwater where she was employed as a secretary for 18 years. She was a teacher’s aide at the Billingsport Grammar School and worked at McDonalds in Paulsboro for 18 years.
Katherine enjoyed the arts, horseback riding, taking her last ride in 2016, in Mohawk Mt. in upstate New York. She was a home person and proudly boosted of being ‘a great ironer’.
She is survived by her daughter, Christie Lynn Magin, son-in-law, John Stetser, nephews Kenneth and David Wilson. She was predeceased by her husband Walter Magin and her brother, Edwin Wilson, Jr. Services were held at the Cheega Funeral Home, Swedesboro. Donations in her memory to the Clayton Veterinary Hospital, 820 N Delsea Dr. Clayton, NJ 08312 would be appreciated.
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SMITH — James “Jim” (Smitty) T. Smith III, 79, passed away at his home in Pilesgrove on May 20. He was born on December 13, 1945 in Salem, the son of James T. Smith II and Doris E. MacNeill Smith. Jim graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1963, received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dickinson College in 1967, and completed graduate work in Psychology at Temple University from 1967 to 1969.
Throughout his life, Jim was dedicated to promoting the health and fitness of the Salem County community. His first job in that field was with the Penns Grove/Carney’s Point YMCA where he established a comprehensive aquatics program and obtained his certification as a YMCA Aquatics Director.
He also taught Physical Education, English and Science at St. James Grammar School during the mid-1970’s. Jim’s next position was with the Fitness World gym in Carney’s Point where he guided members in achieving their fitness goals and assisted with management of the facility.
In 1984, Jim was hired by Mannington Mills to run their brand-new fitness center. He devoted 36 years to the development and expansion of the various programs and facilities there. Jim was deservedly proud of his accomplishments at Mannington and often related how he knew that at least one employee’s life, and likely several more, were saved because of the fitness center. He retired from Mannington Mills in 2020.
Jim enjoyed many activities and hobbies. He lettered for the Dickinson College swimming team, was an accomplished power lifter, an avid cyclist, and a community theater actor and director. He was passionate about cars, particularly driving and rebuilding his Corvettes, as well as auto racing, even working for a top fuel drag racing team at one time.
Jim took many cross-country road trips with friends including ones to visit relatives in California and Mississippi, an adventure to Alaska during a college summer break, and journeys to see the Eagles in Super Bowl XV and the 1996 summer Olympics. He especially welcomed spending time with friends and family at the Jersey shore.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, his wife Anna M. Scaramazza, his brother Barton B. Smith, and his sister-in-law Theresa D. Smith. He is survived by his brother Neil W. Smith, his niece Lacey M. Smith Campbell (Amber), nephew Forrest W. Smith, niece Mandy M. Smith, and grandnephew Warren L. Campbell.
Jim will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all his family and friends. Please consider a donation to the American Heart Association (heart.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (donorservices.alz.org). Please visit htlaytonfh.com to leave a note of condolence to Jim’s family.
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CASELLA — Merilyn Ann “Mern” Casella (nee Schoener) age 80 years of Woolwich Township passed away peacefully with her daughter and son in law by her side on May 31 in Atlas Rehab, West Deptford.
Mern was born in Woodbury and raised in Woolwich Township where she was a 1963 graduate of the last class of Swedesboro High School. In 1975 she started a new job in the cafeteria at the Walter Hill School in Swedesboro, working hard to support herself and her daughter. She later moved to the Margaret Clifford School to become cafeteria manager.
Mern loved working at the school and the children and retired after 40 years in 2015 to care for her mother. She enjoyed spending time with her family, summers by the pool, reading and trips to Lancaster, PA to see shows and also collecting owls.
She is survived by her daughter, Debra and Greg Price of Mt. Royal; her grandson, Josh Price of Mt. Royal and her brother, Tom and his wife, Carol Schoener of Woolwich Township. Mern was predeceased by her parents, William and Eleanor Kafka Schoener.
Funeral arrangements by McBride-Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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LAIL — Doris E. Lail (née Armbruster), age 90, of Mickleton, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 29, surrounded by her loving family.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Doris was a proud graduate who began her career working at a bank in Center City, commuting each day by public transportation.
Her life took a beautiful turn in the late 1950s when she met the love of her life, Tommy, at a Sunday night stag dance at the Sunset Beach Ballroom in Almonesson. They married in December 1960 and began their life together in a home Tommy built in Thorofare. In 1965, they moved to their forever home, a farm in Mickleton, where they created a loving home and raised their family.
Doris was the heart of the Lail family. Her home was a place of warmth, faith, and togetherness. She was a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, and a loving grandmother and great-grandmother. Her life was deeply rooted in Christian faith, which she passed on to her children.
A longtime member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Woodbury, Doris taught Sunday School and played piano for the children for over 40 years. In more recent years, she worshiped at Holy Nativity Lutheran Church in Wenonah, continuing to grow in faith and community.
In addition to being the spiritual and emotional foundation of her family, Doris also played a vital role in its daily life. With quiet strength and unwavering dedication, she worked each day as the bookkeeper for the family construction business, never missing a beat even at the age of 90.
Her energy, commitment, and love were constants in the lives of those around her. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures including family vacations to Ocean City and later Sea Isle City, reading her daily devotions, writing in her journal, and, most of all, spending time with her loved ones.
She especially treasured living so close to her children and grandchildren, most of whom were just a walk away, which made family visits a natural part of daily life. Her home was always full of activity, with family coming and going and a big snack table always stocked with everyone’s favorite treats.
Her home was also the center of many family celebrations, where laughter filled the rooms and lasting memories were made. Doris loved hosting these gatherings and always added a special touch, often organizing a fun family game complete with a prize, making sure every generation felt included and celebrated.
Doris is survived by her five children: Tom Lail (Linda Mowbray), Diane (Lail) Contarino (Tom), Mark Lail (Karin), Troy Lail (Sharon), and Joel Lail (Patti); her eleven grandchildren: Thomas (Teresa), Michael (Kirsten), Lindsay (Bryan), Kristina (Patrick), Christopher (Jordan), Jessica (Jack), Gabrielle, Ashlee, Troy (Maria), Megan, and Erin; her great-grandson, Ronan; her sister, Joan Humphreys of Horsham, PA; and her cherished cat, Gracie.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Tommy Lail, with whom she now shares eternal peace.
Donations in Doris’s memory may be made to the General Fund of Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, 3 Lenape Trail, Wenonah, NJ 08090. Arrangements were by McBride-Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro, NJ. To share a memory or message with the family, visit www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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CAPRI — Lucy Providence Capri (nee: Nicolosi), 93, of Swedesboro, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at home. A proud and devoted woman of faith, Lucy lived a long, beautiful life filled with warmth, laughter, and love.
Born and raised in Swedesboro, Lucy was a spirited and athletic woman who proudly carried her full-blooded Italian heritage. She was a proud graduate of Swedesboro High School, excelling in both academics and sports while also cherishing and maintaining her friendships throughout her life.
Lucy was the heart of her family and the soul of every Sunday dinner, known far and wide for her incredible cooking, generous heart, and timeless beauty.
Lucy was the beloved wife of the late Rosario Capri (Sarge) and the cherished mother of Russell Capri (Kim), Luanne Capri (Gary), Gina Capri Murdock, and her cat Rommel. She was the proud grandmother of Jarrod, Ali, and Paige, each of whom adored their “Mommom” and carried her strength and spirit forward. She is also survived by her sister Rose Capallano. In addition to her parents, Alfio and Rose Nicolosi, her siblings Sarah Mangano, Alfio Nicolosi, Benny Nicolosi, Mary Monte, Grace (Dottie) Nicolosi, Frank Nicolosi, Millie Sarni, Margie Curtis, and son-in-law Edward Murdock predeceased her.
Whether cheering from the sidelines, preparing feasts no one could rival, or simply offering a listening ear and words of wisdom, Lucy lived every day with passion and purpose. She was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith, as a lifetime parishioner at St. Joseph’s RC Church in Swedesboro, as well as working in the rectory for over 20 years.
Furthermore, her home was one of comfort, tradition, and endless love. She will be remembered for her resilience, elegance, fierce family loyalty, and the joy she brought into every room she entered. Her legacy will live on in the meals we cook, the stories we tell, and the love that binds our family. The family asks that donations be made in Lucy’s name to the Salem County Humane Society, PO Box 214, Carneys Point, NJ 08069. adamsfuneralhome.org.
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PINTO — Wayne B. Pinto Sr., 81, passed away on May 30 in Fort Myers, FL. He leaves behind a devoted family, including his beloved wife, Barbara; sons, Wayne Jr. and Steve; stepson, Bill Paszek; stepdaughter, Kathy Siglow; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Born in Camden to Benny and Cecila Pinto, Wayne grew up with a strong sense of ambition and a deep love for his community. After graduating from Swedesboro High School in 1962, he embarked on a career marked by dedication and innovation.
Beginning his professional journey at Dupont Chambers Works in December of 1962, he quickly built a legacy far beyond his early career. In 1978, Wayne founded Solid State Alarms, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit.
That same year, he was elected to the Logan Township Committee, eventually serving as mayor in 1980. His commitment to public service and local development continued in 1981 when he established Logan Pharmacy, which later became part of Eckerd Drugs.
For most of his life, Wayne lived on High Hill Road in Logan Township, where he built his own home next to the one his father had constructed. It was a place filled with family, memories, and the values of hard work and dedication that shaped his life.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Wayne enjoyed the simple pleasures of life including spending cherished years at his Ocean City, NJ shore home, golfing, and bowling. Above all, he was a pillar of support for his family, always ready to offer a helping hand or share invaluable advice. His kindness, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to those he loved will be deeply missed. Wayne’s memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends, who will forever cherish the impact he had on their lives.
