Obituary of Richard James Duester

Richard J. Duester, 77, of Manalapan, passed away on May 22, 2014 at Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation at Brick. Born in New York City, he has resided in Manalapan for the past 45 years. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran and a communicant of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Englishtown. Richard worked for NBC Broadcasting in NYC for 33 years before becoming budget coordinator for the Monmouth County Clerk's Office in Freehold for 15 years. He had a passion for history and researching his family tree and was a member of the Battleground Historical Society and many genealogy groups. He was a collector of political buttons and fond of crafting miniature soldiers and going to flea markets. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Geraldine; his two daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and John Baum and Karen and Jason Haas, both of Brick; brother, Francis of Skaneateles, NY; and three grandchildren, Laura, Jack and Shaun. Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, May 29th, from 4 to 8 PM, at Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Englishtown. Interment will be private. To share photos, leave a condolence, or find directions visit www.freemanfuneralhomes.com.