Hubert ‘Hughie’ S. Flannery, 80 of Manasquan, passed away May 7th, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born in Jersey City and raised in Manasquan, where he spent many summers as a lifeguard and met his future wife. Hughie graduated high school from St. Rose, and then went on to graduate from Monmouth College as a proud member of Phi Delta Sigma. He married his wife Kathie in 1967 and they began their family. He excelled as a salesman in the technology field, was instrumental in the success of numerous startups, and received countless accolades throughout his career. Hughie enjoyed tr ..read more

Lori ‘Mama’ passed away in her home Saturday, April 27th, 2024, surrounded by love & family after a very brave fight with a rare disease. She was the most beautiful person — inside and out. Born on April 17, 1967 & raised at the Jersey Shore, Lori was a hardworking woman, who built her successful business from the ground up. She dedicated her life as an unwavering mother and wife. In every sense of the word, to know her was to love her. She was the perfect mother, spouse, sister, and friend. We will never feel a love like hers again. One of a kind, once in a lifetime.  A vibrant ..read more

Michael Joseph Horgan passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Milstein Hospital, New York Presbyterian, with his loving wife and daughter by his side, after a long and courageous battle with AML. Michael was born on April 20, 1947, in Orange, N.J to his mother, Helen Marion Horgan and Andrew B. Horgan, Jr. Michael was the beloved wife of Eleanor S. Horgan and devoted father of Maureen Horgan Noto and her husband, Joseph C. Noto, brother to the late Paul, L. Horgan, S.J., the late Andrew B. Horgan and his wife Kathy Arata Horgan, the late John S. Horgan and his wife Juanita R. Horg ..read more

SPRING LAKE — A male swimmer in distress was removed from the water in Spring Lake by multiple first responder agencies on May 4 and later pronounced dead at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Spring Lake Police Department officials announced on social media. According to the social media post, a call had come in of a swimmer in distress at the St. Clair Avenue beachfront. At “approximately 2:05 p.m.,” officers responded to the scene and found the subject floating face-down in the water, at which point they removed him from the water and began “life-saving measures.” After being treated on-scene by ..read more

MANASQUAN — Despite the chilled air, competition ran hot among citizens of Manasquan on Saturday in the annual recreation department’s Warrior for a Day. This day saw dozens of Manasquan residents on two teams, East and West, compete in a slew of sporting activities including, cornhole, volleyball, flag football, softball and a tug-of-war. Each side brought their A-game, as residents competed to take home gold and the glory. The winner of this competition would have their team’s side engraved onto a plaque. Steve Antonucci, recreation director, told The Coast Star that this was day two of the ..read more

Carolyn ‘Dee’ Rathsmith, 86, passed away on April 26, 2024.  Born to Jane Lillian Bennett and Wilfred Henry Hawxhurst in Long Branch, and raised in Shrewsbury, NJ. While attending Red Bank Catholic High School, she met the love of her life, William J. Rathsmith. Shortly after graduation, they married and began their lifelong journey together. This journey eventually took them from Shrewsbury to Middletown and finally Belmar, and included 5 children; Deborah Ann, Donna, Michael, Jack and Daniel. Dee loved the beach, as was evident by her beautiful tan and love of the ocean. On the roughest ..read more

Our family is saddened to share the news that Mike Diaz of Brick, New Jersey, passed away after a short illness on May 3rd. Mike was 93 and lived an amazing life where family was always most important.    He was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, to Miguel and Mercedes Diaz. Mike and his two sisters, Dolores and Carmen, attended Bogota High School, and in the summer Mike worked at Jenkinson’s with many of his classmates. After High School Mike graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Syracuse University before proudly serving in the Army during the Korean War. Mike could be seen around town proudly ..read more

WALL TOWNSHIP — Residents of Wall and the surrounding area got a little taste of Flavortown this weekend, as popular celebrity chef Guy Fieri visited the Wine Outlet to promote his new Santo Spirits tequila brand, and then made the rounds in the area, stopping at several area restaurants along the way. Thousands of residents waited in line and in the rain on Saturday evening to get a brief meeting with the famous chef and philanthropist. With the line curling around the entire building, there was no shortage of fans who were waiting on getting a chance to meet Fieri and snag a quick picture. J ..read more

LAVALLETTE — The Upper Shores Branch of Ocean County Library is hosting several programs for kids and adults alike through June, including musical storytelling, a summer reading kickoff and health information and screenings. Jean Millerchip, the president of the Friends of the Upper Shores Library, told The Ocean Star about several events set for the months of May and June, such as “Tunes & Tales” with Valerie Vaughn, a kickoff to summer reading for the youngest Lavallette residents and senior-focused health programs. This month, the Ocean County Library is hosting folk singer and storytel ..read more

POINT PLEASANT BEACH — The Point Pleasant Beach Cultural Arts Committee’s Party by the Sea fundraiser returns on May 30, benefiting both the committee and the local art community with a social night of food, art and music. The committee will also hold its Juried Art show concurrently with the party; the first time the art show will be held since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. These events will take place at The Lobster Shanty, 83 Channel Drive. “Our event is a fundraiser, but more importantly it’s an event to support and showcase the arts,” said Judy Van Brunt, vice chair of the arts committe ..read more