Obituaries

Elliot Klempner

Mr. Klempner, 74, of Lake Hiawatha, died Aug. 3 at Compassionate Care Hospice, Dover. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and had lived in Irvington and Union, as well as in Puerto Rico, before moving to Lake Hiawatha in 1980. A decorated Army veteran of the Korean War, he was the sole survivor when his platoon was attacked. He received the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Presidential Unit Citation, along with the United Nations and National Defense service medals. He was a member of Congregation Beth-El, Edison. He was also a lifelong member of the North Jersey Gun Association, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Cherry Ridge Range Gun Club in Riverdale, Sussex County. In addition, he was a member of the VA Lyons Club. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Ilene Klempner of Edison; a daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Harvey Natale of East Brunswick; two stepdaughters, Laura Poirier and husband Todd, and Michelle Rivera and fianc Jay Demarst; a sister and brother-in-law, Helene and Stuart Rosenthal of Long Island, N.Y.; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Klempner. Funeral services were held at Goldstein Funeral Chapel Inc., Edison, followed by interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge.

Gregory J. Lagana Sr.

Mr. Lagana, 51, of the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge, died July 31 in Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. He was employed for the past 15 years as a truck driver with Ho-Ro Trucking, Avenel section of Woodbridge. He was predeceased by his father, Gregory Lagana. Surviving are his wife, Deborah Breuer Lagana; a son, Gregory J. Jr. of Laurence Harbor; a daughter, Eva of Sayreville; his mother, Anne of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a brother, Michael of the Mystic Islands section of Little Egg Harbor; a sister, Palma of Brooklyn; a granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass was offered at St. Mary's Church, South Amboy. Entombment was in Holmdel Mausoleum.

E. Dorothy Dean Oderio

Mrs. Oderio, 77, of Aberdeen, died Aug. 7 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold. Born in Pittsburgh, she resided in West New York, prior to moving to Aberdeen 38 years ago. She was a homemaker. She was a communicant of St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. She is survived by her husband, Robert Oderio; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Donna and Wade Bates of Jackson, Patty and Mike Vosk of Doylestown, Pa., Barbara and Tom Cole of Freehold, and Diane Oderio of Edison; a sister, Joanne Deighen of Naples, Fla.; and two grandchildren. Entombment was at St. Gabriel's Cemetery, Marlboro. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport. Memorial donations may be made to American Lung Association, 1600 Route 22 east, Union 07083.

David L. Kushinsky

Mr. Kushinsky, 83, of Edison, died Aug. 9 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. He had resided in Edison for 19 years and was formerly of Woodbridge. For 50 years, Mr. Kushinsky owned and operated David and Co., a real estate investment and development company in Woodbridge. He was also instrumental in developing various real estate holdings in Middlesex and Ocean counties, such as the Schoolhouse Plaza and the A&P supermarket in Woodbridge. Most recently, he was co-owner of the real estate holdings for Charlie Brown's Steakhouse restaurants. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he served in the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Theater and was the recipient of a service medal with a Bronze Star Arrowhead. He was a member of Temple Emanu-El in Edison, as well as a life member of the Colonia Country Club, Colonia section of Woodbridge, and a member of the Inman Racquet Club, Edison. Mr. Kushinsky was predeceased by a brother, Martin Kushinsky. Surviving are his wife of 19 years, Jeanne Kushinsky; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Seth and Lisa Wallerstein of Edison; a daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Alan Goldberg of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; a brother, Ralph Kushinsky of Colonia; three grandchildren; and two nieces. Funeral services were held at Flynn and Son Funeral Home, Fords section of Woodbridge. Interment took place at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin section of Woodbridge. Shiva was observed Aug. 13-15 at the Wallerstein residence. Memorial donations may be made through Flynn Charities to Hankering for More or the American Cancer Society, c/o Flynn Charities Program, 23 Ford Ave., Fords 08863. Hankering for More is a nonprofit organization that creates social and educational opportunities for high-functioning adults with learning disabilities.