Town Topics

Esther M. Bjornberg

Esther M. Bjornberg, 82, of Princeton, died October 18 at the Merwick Unit of the University Medical Center, where she had lived since 2000.

Born in Malmo, Neb., she worked professionally as a registered nurse, primarily in labor and delivery units in hospitals in Illinois, Texas, and New Jersey.

Predeceased by a sister, Phyllis Gough, she is survived by a brother, Andrew G. Bjornberg Jr. of Niles, Mich.; and two sisters, Ruth VanWambeke of Barrington, Ill., and Sylvia Temmer of Princeton. She was a devoted aunt to her many nieces and nephews.

A service in celebration of her life was held on October 22 at Trinity Church.

A. William Bullock

A. William "Bill" Bullock, 83, of Bedford, N.H., died October 11 at home. A Bedford resident for the past 25 years, he had worked at Princeton University as an administrator for 15 years before retiring.

Born in Trenton, he was the son of the late Arthur D. and Alina (Bloom) Bullock.

He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, class of 1942.

A World War II veteran, he served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy. He was a commanding officer of an LCT in the Amphibious Forces, landing on Utah Beach, Normandy, on D-Day.

He worked for Pepsi Cola in New York and Merck Company in New Jersey in addition to Princeton University.

He attended St. Luke's Anglican Church in Amherst, N.H., and enjoyed traveling.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara; two sons, Dudley of Rio Rancho, N.M. and Thomas of Albuquerque, N.M.; a daughter, Louisa Betty of Tucson, Ariz.; and a brother, Donald of Bluffton, Ohio.

A memorial service was held on October 13 in St. Luke's Anglican Church. Burial was in Princeton.

Memorial donations may be made to Home, Health and Hospice Care, 22 Prospect Street, Nashua, N.H. 03060.

Arrangements were by Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford, N.H.

Libert V. P. Diaforli

Libert Vin Paul "Libby" Diaforli, 78, of Princeton, died October 22 at University Medical Center at Princeton following a short illness.

Born in Princeton, he was educated in the Princeton school system, graduating from Princeton High School with the class of 1944. He then became the first in his family to graduate from college, with the class of 1948 at Rider College. He achieved the Gregg National Honor award in speed typing and stenography.

Working part-time at Princeton Theological Seminary while attending college, he assumed a full-time position after graduation as an executive assistant to the president. After 17 years with the Seminary, he began his career with the McGraw-Hill Publishing Company in 1960, as manager of customer service in the company's Hightstown facility. He later transferred to the company's New York City headquarters, becoming manager of the office training center, where he developed and directed training programs for administrative assistants and support staff. As a result of his training expertise, he was promoted to director of training and development.

Always concerned with the disabled and disadvantaged, he expanded his interest in training to those with special needs, and facilitated their placement with many corporations regionally and nationally, including McGraw-Hill. He developed a curriculum of office skills in the training of incarcerated women at Rykers Island, New York, further utilizing those syllabi at prisons in Texas.

He became a national lecturer on the hiring and training of the disabled and disadvantaged. He testified before the Senator Robert Dole Committee in Washington, D.C. regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, and was subsequently given the Dole Family Foundation Annual Leadership Award in 1992. He also lectured before U.S. Customs in 1993 and 1995 regarding hiring and promoting the disabled. His information is now used by the U.S. Customs in its Employee Awareness Program for Americans with Disabilities.

He was honored throughout his life with various leadership and humanitarian awards for his work in promoting a better life for those less fortunate. Among his proudest accomplishments were those as a member of the Princeton Elks. He assumed various leadership roles over the past 32 years, holding the Exalted Ruler position in 1986-87, and was voted Elk of the Year by his fellow members in 1997. He chaired 19 Elks charity balls for crippled children, raising more than $100,000. He also conducted the Elks' annual Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and Flag Day services. He wrote and directed nine plays featuring Elks members, raising funds for their charitable activities. He was a three-year trustee of the Elks Lodge.

He was involved in charitable work for many organizations. He was a long-standing supporter of the March of Dimes, the St. Jude Foundation, and Father Flanagan's Boys and Girls Town; and was involved with the Sunshine Foundation's Operation DreamLift, providing air flights to Disney World for children with catastrophic illnesses. He also assisted with and contributed to American Legion activities and organized bus trips for local Senior Citizen groups.

He was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church and at the time of his death was president of the St. Paul's Golden Agers. He was instrumental in organizing and implementing Parish picnics, especially the children's activities.

He was also an ardent supporter of Princeton University athletics, particularly the football team.

Son of the late Antonio Diaforli Sr., he was also pre-deceased by two brothers, Nicholas and Antonio Jr., and two sisters, Catherine D. Tylus and MaryAnne Princiotta. He is survived by his mother, Angelina Diaforli; three sisters, Carrie Moore of Princeton, Nancy Rhodes of Hightstown, and Judy Davison of Newtown, Pa.; and a brother, Robert of Bordentown.

Friends may call at the Kimble Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 27 from 8 to 9 a.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Paul's Church at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Princeton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made either to the Princeton Elks Crippled Children's Fund, P.O. Box 217, Blawenburg 08504; the Catherine D. Tylus Scholarship Fund, St. Francis Medical Center School of Nursing, 601 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton 08629, attn. Bonnie Ross; the University Medical Center at Princeton Foundation, 253 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 08540, attn. Edward Gwazda; or the St. Paul's Healthcare Ministry, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton 08540.

Elaine Fox-Raymond

Elaine Fox-Raymond, 77, of Princeton died October 20.

A graduate of Vassar College in art history, she received a master's degree from the Rutgers University School of Social Work.

She was a psychotherapist in Princeton for more than 20 years, counseling families and individuals. Her influence was also felt as a leader in the Landmark Education Forum.

She was active in numerous environmental and social causes in the region. Her dedication to conservation was expressed through her role as a supporter and board member of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Stony Brook Watershed Association, and The Catskill Center in Arkville, N.Y.

The widow of Howard Fox and David Raymond, she is survived by her children Julie Fox, David Fox, Linda Fox, Fran Raymond Price, and Dylan Robinson; a brother, Arthur Strickman; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on October 24 at Nassau Presbyterian Church, led by the Rev. Richard Snyder of Union Theological Seminary in New York.

Caleb Fullam

Caleb Fullam, 53, of Hudson, N.Y., a noted puppeteer, died of cancer on October 20 at home.

Born in Princeton, he attended Chapin School, the Hun School, and the Aparri School of Dance.

In 1971 he studied with the famed puppeteer Bil Baird in New York City. His long association with the Puppet Showplace Theatre in Brookline, Mass., one of the oldest puppet theatres in the U.S., began in 1976. He served there as a performer, writer, and designer throughout his professional career. From 1976 to 1981 he was the theatre's archivist.

An innovative and talented hand puppet artist, Mr. Fullam was a founder of two puppet companies, the children's company Tatterdemalion Puppets, and the adult company The Other Glove Theatre. Known for more than 30 years for his adult puppet artistry, he wrote, performed, directed, built, and staged sophisticated puppet vignettes as well as full scale musical productions. Some of his best known pieces are The Conquering Worm, The Magician's Secret Garden, A Funeral Elegy for a Parrot, The Poet's Eye, and Powder, Paint & Poison.

In 1984 the Boston Premier Ensemble produced the American premiere of Franz Joseph Haydn's Die Fierenbrunst (The House Afire) at Harvard University's Sanders Theatre. Mr. Fullam's Tatterdemalion Puppets company constructed the sets and puppets, and performed.

In 2000 and 2001 he was invited to join the National Puppet Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, Conn. There he created and performed works inspired by Audrey Beardsley. In 2000 he performed Aubrey Beardsley – A Singular Artist, based on Beardsley's book Venus & Tannhauser.

Throughout his career he worked with many puppet masters and companies, including Kermit Love, Paul Vincent Davis, Paul Mesner, The Perry Alley Theatre, The Dot and Dash Company, and The Underground Railway Theatre.

Pre-deceased by his parents, Walter and Ann Fullam, he is survived by his stepmother, Dorothy Fullam of Princeton; and two brothers, Ross and Francis.

A private family service is planned in Princeton. Memorial celebrations are planned at the Hudson River Theater in Hudson and The Puppet Showplace Theatre.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be sent to The Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station Street, Brookline, Mass. 02445.

John D. Rossi

John D. Rossi, 48, of Arlington, Va., formerly of Princeton, died October 16 at his home.

Born in Princeton, he moved to Virginia approximately 20 years ago.

A graduate of Princeton High School, he was a graduate of Marquette University and earned a master's degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

He was employed as a retail sales manager.

Active as a coach, he served for several years as the commissioner of the Arlington, Va. Baseball Association.

Son of the late Vincenza "Nini" Rossi, he is survived by his father, John Rossi of Princeton; his wife, Robin; two sons, Alex and Eric; a sister, Nancy Vincent of Burke, Va.; and two brothers, James of Falls Church, Va., his twin, and Felix of Ringoes.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on October 23 at St. Paul's Church in Princeton.

Arrangements were by The Kimble Funeral Home.

Frances B. Smith

Frances B. Smith, 88, of Keller, Texas, formerly of Princeton, died October 9 in Richland Hills Nursing Home.

Born in Princeton and an area resident before moving to Keller, she was the owner of the Belmar Deli and Grocery in Belmar.

Daughter of the late Salvadore and Rose Virginia Baldino, and wife of the late Roy Wesley Smith, she is survived by a daughter, Sonja Meehan of Keller; a sister, Julia Palutis of Princeton; and two grandchildren.

A graveside service was held on October 14 at Princeton Memorial Park, Robbinsville.

Arrangements were by the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.

John E. Stoddard

John E. Stoddard, 72, of Pennington, died October 17 at home. He was the former chairman of The Hun School of Princeton.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a 1954 graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

He worked at Coopers & Lybrand as a management consultant until 1963, then joined Blyth Eastman Dillon & Co. in New York as an investment banker, serving as executive vice president and CFO at the time of the firm's merger with INA in 1979. He went on to work with William Sword & Co., a Princeton-based investment bank, until 1989. He was also the chairman and CEO of EDUSCO Service Corp., a financial services firm, for more than 25 years.

He served on numerous corporate boards, including Blyth Eastman Dillon, H.M. Stevens, McPherson's America, New Dynasty Stables, Plastech International, William Sword & Co., The Depository Trust Company of New York, Eastdil Realty, and Philadelphia First Group. He was also chairman of Environmental Control Group and PROPAC Underwriters, and a general partner of Eastman Dillon Oil & Gas Associates.

He was the former chairman also of St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center and St. Francis Medical Center, and was a former trustee of The College of New Jersey Foundation and The Old Barracks Association.

A former president of Trenton Country Club, he was also a member of The University Club of New York, The Nassau Club, Princeton Investors Club, Nassau Gun Club, Delray Beach Club, and Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club.

He was actively involved with many Catholic organizations and was a Knight of Malta, Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, Knight of St. Gregory, and Knight of Columbus.

Son of the late John E. Stoddard Sr. and Marion Dorothea Kelly, he is survived by his wife of 49 years, Joan; two sons, John III of Skillman and Ken of Hopewell; a daughter, Marian McLaughlin of Lawrenceville; and nine grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on October 21 at St. Paul's Church in Princeton. Burial was private.

Memorial contributions may be made either to the University of Notre Dame, attn. Development Department, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, Ind. 46556; The Hun School of Princeton, 176 Edgerstoune Road, Princeton 08542; or Angels Wings at St. Francis Medical Center, 601 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton 08618.

Arrangements were by the M. William Murphy Funeral Home, Ewing.