#b#In College#/b#
University of Maryland: Joseph D. Cirafici, a June graduate of High School South, was awarded a scholarship by the Italian American National Hall of Fame. The annual scholarship is awarded to students of Italian American heritage and is based on academic excellence and character. Cirafici was one of five recipients nationwide. A freshman, he is pursuing a degree in civil engineering and is a member of the College Park Scholars “Science, Technology and Society” program.
Moore College of Art & Design: Katherine Hoffman of West Windsor is teaching two courses in the fashion studies certificate program through the continuing education program this fall. They are Advanced Illustration for Fashion/Portfolio Development and Fashion Studies Foundation.
A graduate of Slippery Rock University, she has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and photography, and a master’s degree in illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She has worked in the fashion industry for 10 years. She managed the technical illustration department of Jones New York, where she also worked as a technical illustrator and designer for eight years. She currently freelances and does contract work for Jones New York and Brooks Brothers and teaches.
Princeton University: Douglas Wallack is doing a bridge year in India. A graduate of High School South, he ran cross-country and track and played cello in the orchestra during his high school years.
“I look forward to substantially expanding my culinary repertoire in India next year, as well as learning Hindi,” he says in his profile. “I am thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Bridge Year Program and to explore the other side of the world. After what promises to be fantastic international experience, I plan to bike coast-to-coast upon returning to the United States.”
Rowan University: Mark VanZevenbergen of Plainsboro participated in Freshman Connection 2011, an opportunity for freshmen to do service work, learn leadership skills, or enjoy adventure as they began their collegiate careers.
VanZevenbergen participated “Connect through Adventure” based in West Virginia, where the students zip lined through the mountains, enjoyed white water rafting, and shared family-style meals with their classmates. He is planning to major in radio, television, and film.
“Freshman Connection gives our students the opportunity to participate in experiences and interact with new people as they begin their academic careers,” says Andrew Tinnin, director of orientation and student leadership programs. “It also helps them connect with current Rowan students who serve as leaders in each track.”
#b#Births#/b#
The University Medical Center at Princeton has announced the following births:
Daughters were born to Plainsboro residents Jessica and Bolivar Hernandez, September 16; and Esmeralda Garcia and Pedro Sapon Velazquez, September 16.
#b#Deaths#/b#
Shirley Unice Bleacher, 87, of Lawrenceville died September 3 at Aarondale Assisted Living Community of Springfield, Virginia. Born in Highland Park, NJ, she was a longtime resident of West Windsor.
A graduate of St. Peter’s Hospital School of Nursing, she worked as a nurse in various locations, including West Windsor Plainsboro High School, until her retirement in 1985. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law John N. and Judith Bleacher of Springfield, Virginia; a daughter and son-in-law Sheri B. and Chris Coleman of Burke, Virginia; a daughter-in-law Dianne F Bleacher of Princeton; seven grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
Donations may be made to Princeton United Methodist Church, 7 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton 08542.
Lydia Matiejunas, 84, of Newtown, PA, died September 7. Survivors include a daughter, Susan Matiejunas of Plainsboro.
Richard Cleveland Hastings Jr., 89, of West Hartford, CT, died August 31. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Linda H. and Richard Rosania of West Windsor; and grandsons, Army Sgt. Matthew J. Rosania and his wife Nicole of Hawaii, and Scott J. Rosania and his fiance Jessica Connolly of Maryland.
Donations may be made to the Kingswood-Oxford Fund, 170 Kingswood Road, West Hartford, CT 06119; or to First Church of Christ, Congregational, 12 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT, 06107.
Clyde H. Ashton, 78, of Hamilton, died September 7. Survivors include a son, Mark A. Ashton of West Windsor. Donations may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton 08053.
Ernesto Ucci, 65, of Belgium died September 6 at home. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Vincenzo and Fiorina Ucci of West Windsor. A memorial mass will be celebrated Saturday, September 24, at 10 a.m. at St. David the King Church in West
Robert J. Gehery, 72, of Hamilton died September 9. Survivors include a daughter, Teri Ann Bozowski of Plainsboro.
David James Osborn, 47, of West Windsor died September 10 at his home. Born in Princeton, he was a lifelong area resident. A graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, he attended Mercer County Community College. He worked in telecommunications with General Electric and Dataram. A member and past elder of the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, he was a former member, elder, and deacon of Covenant Presbyterian Church. He coached youth sports in West Windsor.
Survivors include his wife, Katharine Morris Osborn; their sons, Matthew and Andrew; his father, Charles “Bucky” Osborn and his companion, Joan Grant; his brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Julie Osborn; his sister and brother-in-law, Deborah and Brandon Luther; his parents-in-law, Robert and Mei Mei Morris; brother-in-law, Robert Morris, and his wife, Medora; sister-in-law, Jeanne Morris Wert and her husband, Sean; and brother-in-law, Charles Morris and his wife, April. Donations may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org.
Donald E. Heyer, 75, of Orleans, MA, died September 12. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Wendy Ellen and Richard Hoyt of West Windsor. Donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod at www.hospicecapecod.org or the Wounded Warrior Foundation at www.warriorfoundation.com.
Robert A. Murphy, 79, of Manchester died September 14 at home. Born and raised in Jersey City, he lived in West Windsor for 18 years.
A graduate of St. Peter’s College and army veteran, Murphy was an accounting manager for 28 years for Colgate-Palmolive before retiring in 1988.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Ellen T Klein Murphy; three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael P. and Deborah, Robert J. and Maryann, and Thomas L. and Veronica; daughter and son-in-law, Noreen E. and Jeffrey Sousa; and four grandchildren.
Donations may be made to St Peter’s Prep School Alumni Fund, 144 Grand Street, Jersey City 07302.
Charles ‘Bergen’ Groendyke, 92, of West Trenton died September 16. Raised in the Dutch Neck area of West Windsor, he and his family traveled by car to Grovers Mill on October 30, 1938 to be part of the War of the Worlds action.
A graduate of Rider College, Groendyke, a certified public accountant and registered municipal accountant, established Groendyke & Company in Lawrence.
In the early 1960s he was chosen for President Eisenhower’s pilot program “People to People” and traveled for three weeks with a group of professionals representing different vocations.
Survivors include his wife of more than 69 years, Doris Stryker Groendyke; sisters, Mildred Dreessen, Edith Sprague, and Anna Weber; his son, David Groendyke; his daughters and his sons-in-law, Faith and Ted Robak of Lawrence Township; Ruth and Jon Brennfleck of Ewing, and Sharon and Jim Gladwin of West Windsor; grandchildren Lori Robak Baffuto, Gabe Baffuto, Jon Brennfleck, Dr. Julie Brennfleck, Reve Groendyke, Sara Gladwin, and Olivia Gladwin; great-grandchildren Genna, Gabriel, and Joseph Baffuto, and Steven Robak.
Donations may be made to the Children and Youth Program Development Fund, First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck, 154 South Mill Road, Princeton Junction 08550.
F. Paul Benz, 45, died September 13. A successful film editor, screen writer, and television director, he was best known as a producer of “Untold Stories of the ER” television series and the screenwriter of the film “Blind Horizon.” He graduated from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School and the Film and Media Arts School at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Survivors include his son, Davis Benz; his mother B. Jacqueline Benz of Fort Worth, Texas; his sister Dr. Nicolle Benz; and his nephew and niece: Alan Orr and Lauren Orr of Amarillo, Texas.
Darrell L. Snider of Port St. Lucie, FL, died September 14. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Darrell Jr. and Patricia J. of West Windsor. Donations may be sent to Treasure Coast Hospice, 201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.
Edward Gibney of Plainsboro died September 17. Graveside service is Friday, September 23, at 11:30 a.m. at Colonial Memorial Park, Hamilton.
Jean M. Kusler, 90, of Plainsboro died September 14 at the Merwick Care and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Newark, she moved to Plainsboro in 2006.
Survivors include two children, John E. Kusler III, and Rita J. Kusler of Plainsboro; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 24, at 11 a.m. at the Hurley & Ostrowski Funeral Home, 312 South Talbot Street, Saint Michaels, MD 21663.
