Obituaries

Vincent Havens

Mr. Havens, 69, of the Belford section of Middletown, died Aug. 22 at his home. Born in Jersey City, he had been a longtime resident of Middletown. Mr. Havens was a salesman before his retirement seven years ago. He served in the Air National Guard during the Korean War. He was a communicant of St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, Middletown; and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 2179 and the Knights of Columbus, both Middletown, and the Irish Federation of Monmouth County. Mr. Havens is survived by his wife of 37 years, Margaret (Powers) Havens; four sons and a daughter-in-law, Vincent and Matthew Havens, both of Belford, Paul and Jennifer Havens of Holmdel, and Christopher Havens of Long Branch; and two grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Catherine’s Church, followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. The John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, was in charge of arrangements.

Thomasina (Scott) Williams

Ms. Williams, 44, of Matawan, died Aug. 24 at her brother’s home in Cliffwood Beach. Born in Long Branch, she was a lifelong resident of Matawan. Ms. Williams was a tax collector for the Borough of Matawan. She also was a clerk at Quick Check, Matawan. Ms. Williams was a U.S. Army veteran, having served from 1979 to 1982. She was a former member of New Light Baptist Church, Cliffwood, and a member of the Shore Knights, Matawan. She was predeceased by her mother, Marion Scott. Ms. Williams is survived by her father, Thomas Scott of Ocean Township; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Daphne and Brian Scott of Matawan, and Dina and Richard Smith of Summerville, S.C.; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Frederick Smith of Matawan, and Rodney and Sheryl Scott and Thomas Scott, all of Cliffwood Beach; four nephews; three nieces; and a goddaughter. Funeral services were held at Community Bible Fellowship, Cliffwood Beach, followed by interment at Shoreland Memorial Gardens, Hazlet. The Day Funeral Home, Keyport, was in charge of arrangements.

Irene T. Cerra

Mrs. Cerra, 70, of Wall Township, died Aug. 13 at her home. Born in Yonkers, N.Y., she had lived in Freehold and Sea Girt for many years before moving to Wall Township six years ago. Mrs. Cerra was a homemaker. She was a graduate of the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School, New York City. She was a communicant of St. Catharine’s Roman Catholic Church, Spring Lake, and a past president of the Sea Girt Woman’s Club. Mrs. Cerra was predeceased by her husband, Vincent J. Cerra Jr., in 1993; a daughter, Mary Jeanne Cerra, earlier this year; and two brothers, William and Thomas Toye. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Vincent J. III and Kim Cerra of Keyport; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Lucy A. and Gerald Melillo of Manalapan, Patricia Cerra of Florida, and Irene and Joseph Kerber of Neptune City; a sister, Frances Sloane of Monmouth Beach; and 13 grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church, Spring Lake, followed by burial at Atlantic View Cemetery, Manasquan. The O’Brien Funeral Home, Wall Township, was in charge of arrangements.

Joseph S. Tranotti

Mr. Tranotti, 75, of Old Bridge, died Aug. 15 at home. He was a pharmaceutical salesman at Wyeth Pharmaceutical, New York City, for 35 years, retiring in 1992. He was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Old Bridge, where he served as an usher. Mr. Tranotti served with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was a past president of the Lions Club of Old Bridge. Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Rose E. Romeo Tranotti; two sons and daughters-in-law, Philip and Phylis Tranotti of Metuchen, and Steven and Kate Tranotti of Bangor, Pa.; a daughter and son-in-law, Janine and Robert Howarth of Eatontown; and seven grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Thomas Church, followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township. The Brunswick Memorial Funeral Home, East Brunswick, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 846 Main St., Fords 08863; or International Lions Club Foundation, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523-8842.