Obituaries

Rita L. Doganiero

Age: 80 of Mt. Laurel, NJ; Formerly of Haddonfield, NJ

(nee Quick) Passed away on August 16, 2024. Rita was the devoted wife of the late Antonio Doganiero, Jr., Esq.; adoring mother of Geneva (Dr. Steven) Standiford, Gilda (Mark) Doganiero – Smoll and Antonio (Mary Lee) Doganiero, III; cherished grandmother of Caitlyn, Leona, Antonio and Gia.

Rita Linda (Quick) Doganiero, born in Staunton, VA, grew up in Haddon Heights, NJ, graduate of HHHS 1962.

Rita met Antonio Doganiero while working at the law offices located at 519 Market Street in Camden NJ. They were married soon after and moved to Haddonfield to start a family.

Rita was an only child and quickly taught herself to cook, frequently hosting extravagant dinner parties for Tony’s large extended family. She was active in everything to do with raising her children and was heavily involved with the PTA, most notably, organizing the infamous Elizabeth Haddon Fall Fair.

She attended night school for her paralegal certification after her youngest went to college and returned to run her husband’s law practice until they both retired.

Rita and Tony moved to their beautiful vacation home, “The Old Towne Farm”, in Ludlow Vermont and spent many wonderful years making once-in-a-lifetime memories. She had barns and fences built to keep her guardian llama Gideon, and 25 head of sheep. She researched and established an enormous organic garden, became the president of the local art guild, volunteered at Dartmouth Hospital and America Reads, tutoring 3rd graders in an after-school program.

The years in Vermont were a dream come true.

Rita and Tony spent their last two decades back in New Jersey and welcomed their grandchildren – Caitlyn, Antonio, Leona and Gia.

In her final days she expressed looking forward to being reunited with her husband, assured her children that everything was going to be okay and requested a gin and tonic with extra lime.

Services for Rita will be held privately by the family. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Rita’s name may be made to Samaritan Hospice (https://www.samaritannj.org/giving/donate-now/).

Lloyd "Bud" L. Lee

Age 93 formerly of Stratford, NJ

On Sept. 1, 2024, age 93, of Wiley Christian Community of Marlton, NJ.  Bud proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War.  Husband of the late Peggy Lee and the late Janice Lee; Loving step-father of Lindy Hamilton of Cary, NC, Jennifer Brooks of Mt. Laurel, NJ and Jeffrey Linnell of Plainville, CT; Cherished grandfather of 6 and Dear brother of Leaman A. Lee, Jr. and the late Lois Chandler.

Bud’s services will be held privately at the Haddonfield United Methodist Church.  Interment, private.

Helen Marene Walden (Flattley)

Age 79 of Cherry Hill, NJ

Passed away on August 28, 2024, surrounded by family.  Marene was survived by her devoted husband Leonard “Len” Walden, Jr.; cherished mother of Michelle (Louis) Butera, Michael (Cindy) Walden, Lance (Missy Roberts) Walden and Laura (Dan Kulik) Walden; adoring grandmother to Julia Walden, Alexandra Carroll (Butera) and Olivia Butera; Great-grandmother of Kennedy Carroll; dear sister of Philip (Leslie) Flattley, Jimmy Flattley and the late Tommy Flattley.

Marene was a Labor and Delivery nurse at Virtua Voorhees for 38 years, before retiring at 70 years old. She enjoyed traveling especially to St. Martin. Marene had many hobbies including gardening, cooking and baking but her favorite was spending time with her family. Marene was a light in the lives to all who knew her.

Marene’s family will receive friends & relatives on Saturday, Sept. 7th, 9:30-10:45 AM at the Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Rd., Haddonfield, NJ; where her Memorial Service will follow at 11 AM.  In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Marene’s name may be made to Virtua (https://givetovirtua.org, specify Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NICU).

Thomas R. "Tuck" Carpenter

Age: 89 of Haddonfield

Passed away on August 12, 2024. Tuck was the devoted husband of Yvonne (nee Irion) for 59 years; adoring father of Ragna (Christoph) Faller, Thomas Andrew “Andy” (Lara) Carpenter, Kelly (Brad) Carpenter Minor, Casey (Dineen) Carpenter and Karey (Mike) Carpenter Dooley; cherished grandfather of 13 and great grandfather of one.

Tuck was born in 1934 and was the youngest of three brothers.  He and his older brothers Ed and Bob were raised in Haddonfield by their single mother after the loss of their father at a young age.  Their father planted a strong sense of humor in their short time with him and humor guided them through difficult times and became a trait throughout life.  You would often see the three cracking themselves up over episodes of the three stooges or comics from The Far Side.  Tuck would often say a great sense of humor was important and a valuable trait to have in life.

Upon graduating from Haddonfield Memorial High School Class of 1953, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years and then attended Muhlenberg College on the GI Bill.  From there he played football and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, graduating in 1960.  One of Tucks great qualities was his loyalty and continued support to both his high school and college Alma maters.  He was always grateful for the friendships and bonds he had made, and cherished those friendships and stories of the past.  “No man is a failure who has friends” a quote from It’s a Wonderful Life resonated with him greatly and spoke to how he valued friendships in life.  He served on reunion committees as well as other events his entire life, because he felt giving back was his way to show gratitude for what he had learned.

After college, Tuck started out as a Social worker prior to becoming a Sales Rep for Johnson & Johnson before meeting his wife of 59 years Yvonne Irion, and marrying in 1965.  He went on to achieve his masters degree at Temple University while starting a career at Camden County College as head of the guidance department for over 30 years, and eventually retiring in 1999.  Tuck and Yvonne raised their 4 children in his beloved hometown of Haddonfield, NJ where he enjoyed coaching his childrens sports, and served as the President of the HMHS Sports Boosters committee for many years.  Tuck had a strong respect for the outdoors and enjoyed many camping, hiking, canoeing and skiing adventures with friends and family throughout his life.  He could often be found at the gym religiously exercising or using his creative artistic talents with his love of painting, completing over 100 paintings.

His life’s work was to have a positive impact on others, truly finding value in building relationships.  He was a man that loved many things, but what he loved most in life was his family.   He was by far the definition of what a kind man should be, and the Greatest of fathers and as our mother would say “the salt of the earth.”  His legacy of compassion towards others as well as Great sense of humor will live on through those of us who have learned from him.  Tuck often repeated that he lived a great life and was so blessed,  but we are the ones blessed to have had him!  We are all grateful for the gift of him, we are his legacy, he lives within us forever and will continue to guide us from above.  We love you Dad!

Services for Tuck will be held privately by the family. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Tuck’s name may be made to Interfaith Caregivers or to HMHS Class of ’53, (Checks made payable to Haddonfield Educational Trust, Class of ’53 on the memo line) and mail to HMHS, 401 Kings Highway E. Haddonfield, NJ 08033.

Dolores E. Padgett (nee Bonatti)

Age 85 of Barrington, NJ

On August 22, 2024, wife of the late William R.; loving mother of Cathy Jost of Barrington, William “Bill” Jr. (Kerri) of Barrington, Debra Cohen (Andrew) of Mount Laurel and Patricia Rizzi of Runnemede; cherished Yaya of Megan, RJ, Jessica, Bobbie, Nicole, Ashlyn, Mark, Tessa, Korey and Calli and treasured great grandmother of Abby, Harley, Damon, Landon, Kaci, Luna, Cooper, Caleb, Savannah, Kennedy and Lennox.

Dolores worked for Edmund Scientific, now Edmund Optics, in Barrington for over 30 years. She was an avid Phillies fan who enjoyed soap operas, game shows, country music, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, and traveling with her husband. She also enjoyed cooking special treats for her family, including chocolate-covered pretzels, frittatas, and rice pudding on holidays.

Dolores’s family will receive friends on Monday, August 26th, 10-10:45am, at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave., Haddonfield, NJ; where her Service will follow at 11am. Interment, Locustwood Cem., Rt. 70, Cherry Hill, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Dolores may be made to the Purple Heart Foundation (www.purpleheartfoundation.org/donations/)

Edward Richard “Dick” Betz

Age: 89 of Michigan City, Indiana

Passed away on August 20th, 2024.

Dick was the devoted husband of Carole (nee Van Cooley) for 64 years.  Their life together took them many places and they were able to call more than a few of them home. From Michigan, where both Dick and Carole grew up, to various locations in the mid-west and Northeast, they ultimately settled back in Northern Indiana.  Along the way, Dick became an adoring father to Mark (Michele) Betz, Rick (Cathy) Betz, Cathy (John) Kearney, Patti Betz and Jim (Kristin) Betz; cherished grandfather of 11; great grandfather of 3; dear brother of Jeff Betz and Dave Betz, who preceded him in death on September 5, 2023.

Dick graduated General Motors Institute in 1960, and soon after began a career as an automotive engineer with the Cadillac division of General Motors in Detroit, MI.  He moved on from the automotive industry and through various senior management positions in manufacturing businesses.  From there Dick began a long, fruitful career in the electronics industry, first as founder and owner of Logan Circuits, a manufacturer of printed circuit boards, and then CEO of Betz and Company, a firm which represented manufacturers of equipment for the electronics industry.  Dick loved the work he chose and worked well into his late seventies before finally retiring.

Outside of work, Dick enjoyed being involved in the community and his church.  He was a longtime member of Rotary International, and served as President of the Hamden, Connecticut chapter in 1996.  Additionally, Dick served as a eucharistic minister and usher in the Catholic churches where they lived.

Dick was the type of man who could never sit still. –He was always pursuing his hobbies whether it was flying his plane, sailing his boat, camping, skiing, photography, or building something in his woodworking shop.  His family is forever thankful for his prowess with a camera as it has served to preserve so many great memories… even if they grumbled when having to pose for his “candid” shots.

Dick taught his children to dream big and said if you received half of what you dreamed of, you were a lucky person.  We know that he considered his family his biggest achievement.  He loved his family and seemed happiest when he and Carole were hosting family get togethers.  Whether it be Christmas, Thanksgiving, or at their favorite spot… the family cottage at Lac Beuclair in Masham, Quebec, Canada.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet Dick’s family on Friday, August 23rd, 10-10:45 AM at St. Rose of Lima RC Church, 300 E Kings Hwy, Haddon Hts., NJ; where his funeral mass will immediately follow at 11 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Dick’s name may be made to The Rotary Foundation (https://my.rotary.org/en/donate)

 

Joseph W. Beckson

July 25, 2024

Joseph was born and raised in southwest Philadelphia, PA and later moved to Haddon Township, NJ.

He was a graduate of West Catholic Boys High School in Philadelphia and attended community college in New Jersey. Joseph, an IT specialist, was employed by Saks Fifth Avenue and Temple University.

“Joey,” as he was affectionately known by his family, enjoyed fishing and kayaking on Long Beach Island, NJ. He was also an avid reader, a dedicated Philly sports teams fan, and had eclectic tastes in music and film.

He was devoted to his older sisters Maureen J. Harman (née) Beckson and Barbara A. Mertsock (née) Beckson before their transitions.

Joseph is survived by his Sister JoAnna T. Beckson of New York City and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be missed. May he Rest in Peace.

Services were held privately.

Patrick M. Gibson

Age: 58 of Sewell, NJ

Passed away on July 26, 2024. Patrick was the loving father of the late Patrick Gibson Jr.; cherished step father of Deborah Clothier; adoring brother of James, Joseph, Shawnette (Ed) Cook and the late Tony; loving grandfather of 4. Patrick will also be sorely missed by many nieces and nephews.

Patrick greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Services for Patrick will be held privately by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Patrick’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Susan Schantz

Age: 83 of Voorhees, NJ

Passed away on July 16, 2024. Susan was the devoted partner of Donna Vandegrift; cherished sister of David (Joanne) Schantz and the late Peter (Mary) Schantz; loving aunt of Aimee, Erica and Brendan.

Susan was a longtime member of the Haddonfield United Methodist Church where she was a trustee and a member of the choir. She was also a member of the Rotary Club of Haddonfield for many years.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet Susan’s family on Thursday, July 25th from 11-11:45am at Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Rd, Haddonfield, NJ; where her funeral service will immediately follow at 12 noon. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Susan’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.

Chizuko Fukuyoshi

Age: 79 of Haddonfield, NJ

(nee Goto) Passed away on July 15, 2024. Chizuko was the devoted wife of Shigeru Fukuyoshi and the adoring mother of Mimi Fukuyoshi.

Chizuko was born in Tokyo and emigrated to New York City in 1969, where she met and married Shigeru, her partner of 52 years.  She moved to the South Jersey area four years later, first Collingswood and later Haddonfield, to open Sagami Japanese Restaurant which has been proudly serving the community for over 50 years.

Chizuko’s life revolved around Sagami and the customers, working six days a week to provide the best food and service.  Some of these clients became her best friends and almost like family and she would do anything for them.  Outside of the restaurant, her interests included working out five days a week in the gym, gardening and collecting antiques.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet Chizuko’s family on Friday, July 19th from 11am-12 noon at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services 15 West End Ave. Haddonfield, NJ; where her Words of Remembrance will begin at noon. Interment private. Flowers are welcome, or charitable donations in Chizuko’s name may be made to the ASPCA.