Maria G. Harvey

Maria G. Harvey died on January 31, 2018. She was a longtime resident of Fisher Place in West Windsor. Born Maria Gabler on July 26, 1932 in Sopron, Hungary and lived there with her parents, Margit and Karoly Gabler and sister, Erika (now all deceased) until she started her university-level science education at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest. She immigrated to the United States, leaving her family behind, after the defeat of the 1956 Revolution and War of Independence of Hungary. Princeton became her new home. In Princeton, she continued her studies in physics and started her more than 50 year distinguished career with RCA Corporation — subsequently David Sarnoff Research Center — where, in later years, she contributed greatly in the field of laser research. Throughout her work, her superb skills resulted in numerous patented innovations earning high respect from her colleagues.

Throughout her life, her passions also included nature, animals, and photography. She traveled widely in Europe, Africa, and South America always looking toward new experiences and discoveries. Her friends will remember her for her trailblazer attitude, uncompromising in her principles, quick wit, boundless energy, and love of life.

Maria’s first marriage with Richard Falk ended in divorce.

Her husband, Robin Harvey, whom she later married, survives Maria.

Her loving memory will remain with her friends both in Hungary and in the United States.

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John Raymond Conover Jr.

John R. “Sonny” Conover Jr., 81, died on February 12 at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.

Sonny lived on the 42-acre family farm in a 200-year old farmhouse for most of his life. As a youngster he lived with his siblings and parents, John R. Conover, Sr. and Helen Csaranko Conover, enjoying the outdoors and open space. As a young man he worked with his Uncle Paul Csaranko, who was a roofer, and joined the Roofers Union in Perth Amboy (now #4 in Newark). After a number of years, he formed his own business with his co-worker Joe, C&S Roofing, and worked until his early 60s when they sold the business after which he worked as a consultant for the next 10 years. He then retired and devoted his full-time attention to the family farm, maintaining the property and pursuing his hobby of restoring tractors. He would express on many occasions that he could not be away from his home for any length of time for he would miss the sky, air, the stars, and the openness of his childhood home. He was a neighbor to several boyhood friends, Bobby and Ray, who spent their retirement years supporting the local community (i.e., volunteering at The Ten Mile Run Cemetery).

Sonny was married to Mary Ann O’Keefe Conover who predeceased him in 2013. He will be greatly missed by his loving companion, Eleanor Yurish. Surviving Sonny are his two children, Catherine Conover and Robert Conover (Marisol); and his grandchildren Justin (Trish), Amanda, Emily, and Hailey. He will be deeply missed by his younger brother, Eugene Paul Conover (Cheryl); and younger sisters Mary Ann Conover Jensen (Peter) and Barbara Jean Conover Gross; his nieces and nephews, Melissa Porcelli (Joey), Amy Pascal (Joe), Matthew, Elizabeth, and Paul Jensen, and Christopher Gross; and great nieces and nephew, Olivia, Sasha, and Jordan.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Sonny’s memory to The Ten Mile Run Cemetery Association, 40 Old Coppermine Road, Princeton, NJ, 08540.

A memorial visitation will be on Friday, February 16, 2018 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at M.J. Murphy Funeral Home, 616 Ridge Road at New Road Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852. A memorial visitation will be on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at the funeral home.