Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan, 83, died at home with her family in attendance in Princeton, on Easter Sunday morning, March 27, 2016 after an illness.

Mary was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1933, the daughter of Irish immigrants. She graduated from St. Theresa School and from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School. After earning a BA in English Literature from St. John’s University and a MS in Education from SUNY New Paltz, she became an elementary school teacher in New York City Public Schools.

With her husband and children, Mary moved to the Princeton area in 1969 and made her home in Belle Mead. She was a dedicated member of St. Paul Parish, where she served as president of the Parent-Teacher Association and where she became an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, serving local hospital patients. For many years, she was active at the YM/WCA of Princeton as a certified lifeguard and first aid instructor, and she managed year-round donations for the Bryn Mawr book sale. Later in life, she became a certified volunteer for the New York City Department of the Aging and led exercise classes for seniors. Mary sought out Catholic churches and communities everywhere she went, and she traveled all over the world as a religious pilgrim. She was a steadfast believer in the right to life.

Mary is survived by her husband of 55 years, William, Sr., and her children, Peter, Patricia, Joseph, and John; she was predeceased by her children, William, Jr., and James. Mary is also survived by her grandchildren, William, Andrew and Michael; her brother, Peter, and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, April 4, 4-7 p.m., at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 10 a.m., at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542. Burial will follow at St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries, 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735.

Anyone wishing to honor the deceased may make a contribution to Little Sisters of the Poor, Jeanne Jugan Residence, 2999 Schurz Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465-3826.

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Gerald Joseph Kent III

Gerald Joseph Kent III, age 85, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2016 in San Diego, California, after a sudden illness.

He was a long time resident of Princeton, New Jersey, and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, before moving to Northfield, New Hampshire, in 2007, then to San Diego in 2015.

Jerry was born on November 24, 1930 in Newark, New Jersey, the only child of Gerald Joseph Kent, Jr. and Elizabeth Tisdale Platt. He grew up in Hillside, New Jersey, and graduated from Hillside High School and The Lawrenceville School. A natural athlete, he starred on both the baseball and football teams and was named to the 1948 all-state football team. The memories of those games and the friendships he formed with his teammates during those years were treasured his entire life.

Jerry developed a passion for studying and learning and found his vocation in organic chemistry. He graduated from Upsala College with a BS degree in 1955 and was awarded graduate degrees in organic chemistry at Princeton University, earning a master’s degree in 1958 and a PhD in 1959. He holds many patents from his time working as a research chemist at Merck Pharmaceutical Company in Rahway, New Jersey.

His appointment in 1962 as associate professor of chemistry and chairman of the division of natural sciences at Rider College in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, marked the beginning of his academic career. Instrumental in creating and shaping every aspect of the new science division at Rider College, he designed the new science building and labs, recruited and hired the faculty, and developed the curriculum. Dr. Kent’s 32 years of leadership, dedication, and high standards of teaching helped build the foundation of the science department at Rider University. In 1980, he was awarded the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching excellence. He retired from Rider in 1994, but remained active in the field through volunteer teaching and consulting.

As an avid tennis player, Jerry played almost every day well into his 70’s. For many years he owned and piloted a Cessna 172. His three dogs Morris, Sophie, and Maddie were particularly special to him and brought him great joy. He was active in the Lutheran Church wherever he lived.

Jerry was devoted to his family, his church, and the success of his students. He loved talking to people and he loved sharing his knowledge of chemistry. Jerry’s stories and laughter will be missed.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Birgit E. (Albert), daughter Samantha Kent (Timothy Butterfield), and grandson, Holden Butterfield, all of San Diego; two children from his first marriage, Christine Kent (Jack Roosma) and Matthew Kent (Sandra Bovee) both of Princeton; also his first wife, Julie Hosford, of Princeton.

Funeral arrangements were private. Donations in his honor may be made to the Rider University chemistry department, Attn: Denise Pinney, University Advancement Lib. 137, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-3099.

For an online guestbook please visit http://legacyfuneralcare.com/obituary/gerald-joseph-kent-iii/

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John E. Shea

John E. Shea passed away on April 1. He was 72.

Born in Chicago, he graduated from Marshall University and became involved in local politics, eventually working as a front man for Richard Nixon in his 1968 presidential campaign. After moving to New York City he formed Canon & Shea, a business-to-business advertising agency. There was never a Canon, however Mr. Shea felt a partnership sounded more substantial than a sole proprietorship. The agency grew every year, acquiring clients worldwide, until 2014 when it was dissolved after Mr. Shea was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

After moving to Princeton in 1995, where he lived until his death, Mr. Shea volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, an usher and elected on the vestry at Trinity Episcopalian Church. He was a true bon vivant, movie star handsome, a worldwide traveler, and a lover of good food and drink. He enjoyed a nightly vodka martini, believing vodka was more benign than gin. The evening before he died his daughter, Emily, asked if he would like her to make him a martini. He replied, “Yes please. Make it gin”.

His survivors include his wife, Doris, their daughter, Emily, and a sister Karen Nakamura.

A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Church in Princeton, NJ at 5 p.m. on June 25, 2016.