The Benches of Ocean Grove New Jersey
Marshall Adame
August 02, 2008
Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Beaches are simply great places to be. Having recently arrived from North Carolina, It was not long ago that I discovered "the Boardwalk".
Since my arrival to New Jersey (Asbury Park) only about eleven weeks ago, I have been spending almost every evening on the Boardwalk walking from the 4th Ave. area in Asbury Park to the boarder of Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach. A long walk, a beautiful ocean, interesting people from all walks of life, shops, musicians, friendly and helpful police, preachers and artist, all can be found just about any night on the Boardwalk of Asbury Park and Ocean Grove.
During my evening walks, I began to take note of the benches that line either side of the Boardwalk. The benches have memorial plaques on them. Plaques commissioned by friends and families of now deceased loved ones. (Most are deceased, but I could not tell on some of the plagues if the person had died or not).
Being remembered is important to us all. Personally, having four children and twelve grandchildren, it is my sincere hope to be remembered fondly by them.
The benches of Ocean Grove beach are a great memorial to people who were well thought of in life and fondly remembered in death as great and wonderful human beings. I wonder if someone will think to take the time and effort to buy a bench and place a memorial plaque upon it for me. I could not find a single plaque that mentioned the personīs wealth, political persuasion, race, or power. I noted that there was not a mention of the "stuff" one accumulated in life, or the size of their house. Apparently, the most important thing one leaves behind is what is remembered by the living. Even as I age (I am 56), I realize again and again that what I thought valuable years ago has diminished worth in light of what I value most today, my time with family, a strong legacy for the generations of Adame family now living and the yet to be born. I hope to leave a legacy of compassion, mercy, caring, love of God, country, and the value of being a good servant.
I decided to add to the memory of some named on the benches of Ocean Grove in this article. I am hoping my approach to addressing the people represented on the plaques will make the reader want to go and find the names I am highlighting now. I am not quoting the plagues. I am commenting to the names and words on the plagues. To really understand my comment, you may want to find the plaque yourself. It is not hard to imagine that some of these folks were quite the wonderful and unique people. That is one of the wonderful things about humans. We are all different. Couldnīt mention all the names, but here are some.
I hope you find your loved one here.
Anyway there is:
Sal P. Salletto. Well Sal, I am on step three, but I donīt think I am "next". In any case Sal, life is like a vapor; so see ya soon.
Hey Marion Feiner! You would be happy to know Donald and Carolyn had your bench in place and ready only 90 days after you left them. Youīd be proud!
I am willing to bet that both Elsie and Louis Jeranek were sure Louis would beat her to the bench. He didnīt. Elsie probably got an ear full when she finally caught up with him. They are probably still on their first hug.
Every beach needs a mermaid Joni.
Grandpa Murray Horn! How ya doin kid?
I know you only lived eight years Steven Howard Bradley, but down here you are alive and well in many hearts.
Warren "Bud" Nagle? Hey I had a friend in Iraq named Nagle Ya think? ..Naaaaaa,
Marion M. Smith Your daughter really loves you.
Well I am retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, but what the heck! Go Navy Newton Burley!
Youīll have beach Buddies forever Nadine Miller.
Frank Sisto Sr., Frank Sisto Jr., and Carmela Sisto are sharing a bench. Isnīt family great?
Connie Kochanik! Your life was a great success. Just ask the Kochanik family.
Wow, Deborah Laura Leigh Intili! How could I leave such a beautiful and exotic name out of this article. You are loved.
Erin Mae Ryan OīGrady; A great Irish name! Your mom, George, Rick, Pam, Mark and Shauna remember you and love you.
I am reasonably certain that Kyle, Seth and Jesse learned to laugh and love life because Winnie Wanamaker was their grandma. Itīs Just a hunch.
Someone loves you Ruth "Peggy" Busto. Ya know, I really think all of us would be happier if we said "I love you" to our friends, children, moms and dads more often. I am reminded of the lyrics, "What the world need now, is love sweet love; Itīs the only thing that thereīs just to little of".
Evidently George and Isabella Zitwer knew how to party. Apparently that spirit and zest for life created some pretty great kids.
Anne Dobrosky saw a lot of sunsets at the beach. She earned her bench, and her family saw that she got it.
Gail and Frank Mertz. That name "Mertz" reminds me of Fred and Ethel Mertz who were Ricky and Lucy Ricardoīs best friends in the "I Love Lucy" show a long time ago. What a great name.
Frank is doing okay Ida Saragnese. He loves you.
Fred C. Steinbrenner was an auditorium usher for 35 years. I thought a mention was in order. I tried ushering at my church and I couldnīt even stick with it for a whole month!
Fred & Virginia Laible actually met in Ocean Grove and kept love new for over 50 years. They are still on the bench out there .a couple of love puppies. God blessed their life together. I didnīt have to know them to know that.
I hope we all learn what the Rev. Henry Dierk Jr. "Hank" is trying to teach us. Go read it at his bench.
Amelia and Edna von den Steiner. An elegant name. My mother-in-law is named Amelia. I still love her and I always loved that name.
Evelyn Lillian Ruesen lived about eighty-one years. A pretty long life by anyoneīs standards; but I bet it was not enough years for Mary, Otis, Gabrielle and Jessica. They wanted her to stay a lot longer. I bet a lot of other people did too.
Polonaise Hotel, Bozena Majewska. Itīs there folks. Go look.
"Courage"; Jean Bard had what some go all the way to Oz to find and never do.
Richard "Buddy" Cramer. Just that name tells me he was a great guy. Bet he had a lot of friends.
Howard Boileau lived for ninety-one years. This guy saw a lot of comings and goings in Ocean grove. Iīll bet lots of people are glad he didnīt write a book. Just thinking out loud.
Margaret J. Peake loved Ocean grove and her family wanted us all to know it.
Nancy Howarth must have been a real jewel. George still comes to talk to her at her bench. She is always waiting. The power of love? I donīt think we really understand it. I donīt think we ever will.
Antionette DeNaro and Louis (Daddy Lou) DeNaro were together a very long time. Now they share their bench, forever.
Dorothy & Henry Kluizenaar praised Him here. Now they praise Him at His house.
Wisdom is "knowledge rightly used". Grant Hollenbackīs bench is all about that.
Pete Brogna seems to have had the whole package in Catherine Brogna. Iīll bet she is still rocking his world.
John & Ethel miller are dancing in heaven. I know there are eight children of John and Ethelīs who believe that. I believe it to.
There are just so many benches on the Ocean Grove boardwalk and so few pages to write on. I hope some one else will take it from here. If not, I will probably try again myself. I almost feel like I now know these people and their families; and hey, who doesnīt want another friend? I have been here about eleven weeks and although I miss my home in family in North Carolina, I already love this place, its people, and the benches of Ocean grove.
Since my arrival to New Jersey (Asbury Park) only about eleven weeks ago, I have been spending almost every evening on the Boardwalk walking from the 4th Ave. area in Asbury Park to the boarder of Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach. A long walk, a beautiful ocean, interesting people from all walks of life, shops, musicians, friendly and helpful police, preachers and artist, all can be found just about any night on the Boardwalk of Asbury Park and Ocean Grove.
During my evening walks, I began to take note of the benches that line either side of the Boardwalk. The benches have memorial plaques on them. Plaques commissioned by friends and families of now deceased loved ones. (Most are deceased, but I could not tell on some of the plagues if the person had died or not).
Being remembered is important to us all. Personally, having four children and twelve grandchildren, it is my sincere hope to be remembered fondly by them.
The benches of Ocean Grove beach are a great memorial to people who were well thought of in life and fondly remembered in death as great and wonderful human beings. I wonder if someone will think to take the time and effort to buy a bench and place a memorial plaque upon it for me. I could not find a single plaque that mentioned the personīs wealth, political persuasion, race, or power. I noted that there was not a mention of the "stuff" one accumulated in life, or the size of their house. Apparently, the most important thing one leaves behind is what is remembered by the living. Even as I age (I am 56), I realize again and again that what I thought valuable years ago has diminished worth in light of what I value most today, my time with family, a strong legacy for the generations of Adame family now living and the yet to be born. I hope to leave a legacy of compassion, mercy, caring, love of God, country, and the value of being a good servant.
I decided to add to the memory of some named on the benches of Ocean Grove in this article. I am hoping my approach to addressing the people represented on the plaques will make the reader want to go and find the names I am highlighting now. I am not quoting the plagues. I am commenting to the names and words on the plagues. To really understand my comment, you may want to find the plaque yourself. It is not hard to imagine that some of these folks were quite the wonderful and unique people. That is one of the wonderful things about humans. We are all different. Couldnīt mention all the names, but here are some.
I hope you find your loved one here.
Anyway there is:
Sal P. Salletto. Well Sal, I am on step three, but I donīt think I am "next". In any case Sal, life is like a vapor; so see ya soon.
Hey Marion Feiner! You would be happy to know Donald and Carolyn had your bench in place and ready only 90 days after you left them. Youīd be proud!
I am willing to bet that both Elsie and Louis Jeranek were sure Louis would beat her to the bench. He didnīt. Elsie probably got an ear full when she finally caught up with him. They are probably still on their first hug.
Every beach needs a mermaid Joni.
Grandpa Murray Horn! How ya doin kid?
I know you only lived eight years Steven Howard Bradley, but down here you are alive and well in many hearts.
Warren "Bud" Nagle? Hey I had a friend in Iraq named Nagle Ya think? ..Naaaaaa,
Marion M. Smith Your daughter really loves you.
Well I am retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, but what the heck! Go Navy Newton Burley!
Youīll have beach Buddies forever Nadine Miller.
Frank Sisto Sr., Frank Sisto Jr., and Carmela Sisto are sharing a bench. Isnīt family great?
Connie Kochanik! Your life was a great success. Just ask the Kochanik family.
Wow, Deborah Laura Leigh Intili! How could I leave such a beautiful and exotic name out of this article. You are loved.
Erin Mae Ryan OīGrady; A great Irish name! Your mom, George, Rick, Pam, Mark and Shauna remember you and love you.
I am reasonably certain that Kyle, Seth and Jesse learned to laugh and love life because Winnie Wanamaker was their grandma. Itīs Just a hunch.
Someone loves you Ruth "Peggy" Busto. Ya know, I really think all of us would be happier if we said "I love you" to our friends, children, moms and dads more often. I am reminded of the lyrics, "What the world need now, is love sweet love; Itīs the only thing that thereīs just to little of".
Evidently George and Isabella Zitwer knew how to party. Apparently that spirit and zest for life created some pretty great kids.
Anne Dobrosky saw a lot of sunsets at the beach. She earned her bench, and her family saw that she got it.
Gail and Frank Mertz. That name "Mertz" reminds me of Fred and Ethel Mertz who were Ricky and Lucy Ricardoīs best friends in the "I Love Lucy" show a long time ago. What a great name.
Frank is doing okay Ida Saragnese. He loves you.
Fred C. Steinbrenner was an auditorium usher for 35 years. I thought a mention was in order. I tried ushering at my church and I couldnīt even stick with it for a whole month!
Fred & Virginia Laible actually met in Ocean Grove and kept love new for over 50 years. They are still on the bench out there .a couple of love puppies. God blessed their life together. I didnīt have to know them to know that.
I hope we all learn what the Rev. Henry Dierk Jr. "Hank" is trying to teach us. Go read it at his bench.
Amelia and Edna von den Steiner. An elegant name. My mother-in-law is named Amelia. I still love her and I always loved that name.
Evelyn Lillian Ruesen lived about eighty-one years. A pretty long life by anyoneīs standards; but I bet it was not enough years for Mary, Otis, Gabrielle and Jessica. They wanted her to stay a lot longer. I bet a lot of other people did too.
Polonaise Hotel, Bozena Majewska. Itīs there folks. Go look.
"Courage"; Jean Bard had what some go all the way to Oz to find and never do.
Richard "Buddy" Cramer. Just that name tells me he was a great guy. Bet he had a lot of friends.
Howard Boileau lived for ninety-one years. This guy saw a lot of comings and goings in Ocean grove. Iīll bet lots of people are glad he didnīt write a book. Just thinking out loud.
Margaret J. Peake loved Ocean grove and her family wanted us all to know it.
Nancy Howarth must have been a real jewel. George still comes to talk to her at her bench. She is always waiting. The power of love? I donīt think we really understand it. I donīt think we ever will.
Antionette DeNaro and Louis (Daddy Lou) DeNaro were together a very long time. Now they share their bench, forever.
Dorothy & Henry Kluizenaar praised Him here. Now they praise Him at His house.
Wisdom is "knowledge rightly used". Grant Hollenbackīs bench is all about that.
Pete Brogna seems to have had the whole package in Catherine Brogna. Iīll bet she is still rocking his world.
John & Ethel miller are dancing in heaven. I know there are eight children of John and Ethelīs who believe that. I believe it to.
There are just so many benches on the Ocean Grove boardwalk and so few pages to write on. I hope some one else will take it from here. If not, I will probably try again myself. I almost feel like I now know these people and their families; and hey, who doesnīt want another friend? I have been here about eleven weeks and although I miss my home in family in North Carolina, I already love this place, its people, and the benches of Ocean grove.
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