Richard J. Goeke

Princeton native, World War II veteran Richard J. “Dick” Goeke, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 12, at his home in Princeton, NJ, with family at his side. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, September 17, at St. Paul Church, Princeton, NJ. Interment was followed at Princeton Cemetery.

A life-long Princeton resident, Dick was a veteran of World War II, proudly serving as a member of the U.S. Navy Armed Guard. This branch of the Navy defended both U.S. and Allied merchant ships, including cargo ships, tankers, troop ships and other merchant vessels. He saw service in the American and European-African Middle Eastern Areas. He married Ann Wuest, his “Valentine,” on Feb. 13, 1943.

After his return from service in 1945, Dick worked for the painting contractor and retailer, Morris Maple & Son. He then moved on to the painting department at Princeton University, originally working on campus buildings. Later he transferred to the University’s real estate department, where he became the painting foreman.

Dick retired from the University in 1986 after 35 years of service. During retirement, he enjoyed reading, spending time with family and friends and traveling with his wife and friends — to Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, and many other places in the United States.

Those who knew Dick will remember him for his friendliness and his exceptional sense of humor — he was a joke-teller extraordinaire. He was often a day-brightener for friends and family who were ill, whom he made a point of visiting in the hospital or at home. In 1992, he and Ann were recognized as the Outstanding Nursing Home Volunteers for Mercer County for their service at Princeton Nursing Home. Dick was an active member of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Armed Guard, a life member of American Legion Post 76, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9312 and the Commanders Club of the Disabled American Veterans.

In addition to Ann, his loving wife of 69 years, Dick is survived by his children, Charles Goeke and his wife, Carol, and Ann Raas and her husband, Scott. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Chris Goeke and his partner, Kathleen Sauve; Cindy (Goeke) Skelton and her husband, Gary; and Alyssa and James Raas, as well as by his great-grandchildren, Dylan and Kylie Skelton and Shelby and Piper Goeke. He will be fondly remembered by his sister-in-law, Mary Goeke, nieces, a nephew, and many cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Dick’s memory to Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, PO Box 529, Princeton, NJ 08540-0529 (online at www.pfars.org.), or Princeton Hospice, 208 Bunn Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540.

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John D. Emerick

John Durston Emerick died at his home in Quechee, Vermont on September 13, 2012 after a prolonged illness. He was the beloved husband of Joan S. Emerick, who survives him. Born in 1938 in Syracuse, N.Y., he was predeceased by his parents, Stanley F. Emerick and Anne D. Emerick. Surviving him are his brother Stanley F. Emerick, Jr., and his sister-in-law Penny P. Emerick. Also surviving him are his children, John D. Emerick, Jr., Peter C. Emerick and Stacy E. Heller and their spouses as well as his seven grandchildren.

Mr. Emerick was an alumnus of The Pebble Hill School in Dewitt, NY and was a graduate of Syracuse University, Class of 1961, where he was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity. He was employed at The Great Bear Spring Water Company from 1961-1982, a company founded by his great grandfather in 1888. In 1983 he bought Minute Press in Princeton, NJ which later evolved into Millstone Group, a graphic design business, before Mr. Emerick retired in 2002.

Mr. Emerick was a skilled photographer who explored many evolutions of his talent over the years. He was an avid collector and supporter of the arts, particularly photography. He was also a skilled golfer, having started as a young boy, and he enjoyed playing and following golf regularly. He divided his time between Princeton, NJ and Quechee, VT.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Skillman, NJ. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, Suite 1000, 801 Roeder Road, Silver Springs, MD 20910, or Storm King Art Center, PO Box 280, Old Pleasant Hill Road, Mountainville, NY 10953. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.