Obituaries

Saverio (Sam) Donato of Somerset died peacefully in his home September 3. He was 78. Born in New Brunswick, Sam was the third generation owner of a family business, New Brunswick Housewreckers and Salvage Co., until his retirement in 2000. Sam lived a full and colorful life filled with the things he loved. He was a sculptor, painter, author, poet, …

Stefano “Steven” Patti, of Somerset passed away on August 29th at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He was 80. Born in Ribera, Sicily, he immigrated to the United States in 1971, settling in Staten Island, New York before moving to Somerset in 1982. Steven owned Alfredo’s Restaurant on Easton Avenue in Somerset for many years before …

Zahir Baksh, 61, of Somerset, passed away August 30 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick. Born in Georgetown, Guyana he migrated to the United States in 1977 settling first in New Brunswick, then Piscataway before moving to Somerset 18 years ago. Zahir worked as an Underground Construction Supervisor for PSE&G – Somerset for 36 years, retiring six years …

Thomas “Tommy” Peterson, 61, passed away on August 26 at his home in New Brunswick. Mr. Peterson was born July 16, 1959 in New Brunswick to the late Emil and Frances (Melnick) Peterson. He was a lifelong resident of Somerset and New Brunswick. Tommy had been a talented self-employed auto mechanic and plumber for many years. He loved fishing, camping …

Dr. Suzanne Schaffer passed away peacefully at the age of 93 at her home on June 22 in Somerset. She is survived by her brother Ira Lomench, sister-in-law Madonna (Donna) Lomench, nieces Jennifer Leon, Melissa Lomench, and 2 grandnephews Ethan Leon and Zachary Leon. Suzanne was born on March 23, 1927 in the Bronx, NY, and moved with her family …

John O’Neill Lenaghan died on July 27 in his home in East Millstone where he had lived for over fifty years. He was 88 years old. John O’Neill Lenaghan was born in Clinton Iowa on December 31, 1931. He received his B.A. from the University of Iowa and his Ph.D. from Princeton in Classical Philology. He served in the US …

Jeanne Skurkay of Somerset passed away July 31 at St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick. She was 68. Born in New Brunswick, she was a lifelong resident of Somerset. She worked for the Stop & Shop Supermarket in Somerset for 28 years in various positions before retiring in 2004. She was also a member of the United Food & …

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Annette Elbaum, 80, of Monroe Township, after a brief illness. Born Annette Kramer, in Brooklyn, NY, Ms. Elbaum was above all else a loving daughter, sister, wife, partner, mother, and grandmother, who exemplified a beautiful sense of personal style and grace throughout her life! Ms. Elbaum was a registered nurse, serving as …

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Havey passed away peacefully on 28 at the age of 97, following a brief stay at Parker @ Somerset. Elizabeth was born in Lincoln, Kansas to John and Myrtle Cannon. Following her marriage she moved to Mt. Vernon, New York and has lived in New Jersey since 1965. She was a communicant of St. Matthias Church for …

Mrs. Margaret Snyder passed away on July 18 at the Gardens in Monroe. She was 92 years old. Mrs. Snyder was born in Baltimore and has been a resident of Somerset since 1962. She was a graduate of Eastern High School in Baltimore and later in life received a master’s degree in education from Rutgers University. She was employed for …