Name:  Rickey E. Hebert
email: dureh@lusfiber.net 

Eulogy:  My father-in-law, Alan J. Coldwell of Denver, CO died on September 04, 2019 at the age of 88.  Alan served as a US Navy Lieutenant aboard the USS New Jersey during the Korean War Era.  He was very proud of his military service and especially grateful for the opportunity afforded him to serve on such a great ship.  When his health and the opportunity permitted he enjoyed attending the annual reunions of his shipmates.

Name:  Steve Ritacco
email: sritacco@WBBINC.COM 

Eulogy:  His name was Louis Michael Ritacco – father, provider, husband, grandfather, great grandfather - transitioned to a new life with the Lord on October 2, 2015 at the age of 92.  A member of the “Greatest Generation,” Louis served aboard the Battleship USS New Jersey from 1942-1945 as the U.S. fought the Japanese in the Pacific.  The ‘Fighting Lady,’ his only other love, was the setting for myriad war stories with which he regaled his children until we could tell the stories ourselves. After his marriage to Shirley Polivka (deceased), ‘Luigi’ dedicated his life to supporting her and raising four boys…no small feat. Working multiple jobs to make ends meet, he and Shirley attended kids’ events such as little league, football, cub scouts, and boy scouts while still managing to enjoy life with block parties on the 4th of July, Halloween, Christmas, and any other excuse to have a get-together.  In their later years, Lou and Shirley enjoyed square dancing, visiting the kids, going to the ranch, and just enjoying life to the fullest.  Lou’s leather craft hobby also helped him stay busy and produced many beautiful artifacts.  Louis, a nine year resident of Windsor Retirement Community in Carol Stream, is survived by four sons, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.  Families are: Steven (Beverly), Kimberly and Kathleen of Stafford, VA; Richard (Donna), Samantha, and Nicholas of Woodridge, IL; Robert (Monica), Gina, Michael and Michael’s daughter, Alexia Grace, of Bartlett, IL; Christopher (Kathy), Meagan, and Christian of Crestview, FL.  Lou will be missed, but he is happy to be reunited with his best friend, Shirley.     

Name:  Chad Holtquist HT1
email: Chadcheri@aol.com 

Eulogy:  His name was CWO4 Steven Burks. He and I reported aboard in the spring of 1987 a few weeks apart. He had just made warrant before reporting and he hit the deck running. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor/father figure for my first sea tour. He was the mold for what a role model should be cast of. That man knew how to support a division and get the most out of us just out of the respect we had for him. He stood for no nonsense even when it came from the higher ups in our own division. Steve knew me and when it came time for me to stay or get out, he helped me weigh the options of either choice. Our division officer was an LDO who hadn't been aboard very long and for whatever reason didn't think I could handle the C school I wanted should I have decided to stay in the Navy even though I was qualified for the billet. I mentioned this to Steve off duty while he was on leave after he had already checked out off BB-62 and enroute to CVN-70. He was aboard the next day and got the ensign calibrated. I called
the detailer and got similar resistance. Steve happened to still be in the room as I was on the phone. He took the phone from me and identified himself and with a few words and his backing I had orders enroute. This was one of many examples of him taking care of the boys who took care of him for our three years and two deployments together. When I got the word he passed it was a punch right in the stomach. I was looking forward to serving together again and showing him he was right about me. His memory still inspires me even though it's been 6 years since he left us and 10 since I last saw him. Rest In Peace Mr. B and we'll ride together again on the other side!     

name:  Gary Frazier
email: gfraz@hotmail.com

Eulogy: My maternal grandfather, Vernon Dee Griffin enlisted 1/25/43 and was Honorably Discharged on 2/6/1946. He was a GM2/C on the BB-62 and received a commendation from Capt. Carl F. Holden, Philippine Lib. Ribbon 2-Bronze Stars, American Area Campaign Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon 1-Silver & 4-Bronze Stars. He passed away in 1974 and I was only 4 at the time. I never got the chance to tell him bye, or how proud I was to have such an honorable grandpa. May he rest in peace and dream of the open sea...your grandson Gary.

name:  Doug Fritz
email: d3fritz@aol.com / d3f@tennantco.com

Eulogy: I remember CWO Steven Burks well. I remember him as an intensely honorable man whom you would want to follow. I had the honor of having him sign off a portion of my Quals for the LEP/R&A.  He later gave me a place to fit in when I fit in nowhere else. I had started out with my General Quarters Station in Turret 1, later I had transferred to the Bridge. Through a some sort of paperwork mix-up I was left with a GQ station no longer. Steve Burks told me to come to Repair 2 where I "Was needed". I would become one of the 2 investigators. He smiled when he  told me that he figured I was the only Bos'n Mate under E7 In a repair locker that he knew of. After I had been trained in for the job, before WestPac 89 /90 started, he walked me through the motions as my observer. He said that the job I held may prove necessary and was important for me to make sure I know "Because you may just have to do it".  When we went into the Persian Gulf in December 1989 I realized he was right, and I felt a lot more confident since he showed me what to do. Fortunately my services were not needed. But had something happened, all his Repair Division personnel were trained right and professional. Steve Burks was a good and honorable man.  That is the best I can say about any man.  Doug Fritz (BM3 USS New Jersey U.S.Navy / CPL 11B 6th ID U.S. Army).

name:  Ed Campbell
email: edcampbell@prodigy.net

Eulogy:  John (Jack) McDonald passed away in April 2002.  He was 78 and a young man in spirit.  I can't honestly tell you I ever met him face to face although I probably did once, at one of the reunions.  I can tell you he was a good man; full of enthusiasm uncommon in most veterans his age.  You can read his "sea stories" on this site.  Over the last three years he became a friend and constant contributor to the development of this site.  He loved life and he loved our ship.

I miss him already.

name:  Bruce H.Vansickle, LCDR,USN (Ret)
email: bvansickle@sprynet.com

Eulogy:  Joseph L.Vansickle [Div "A",MM3] My father reported aboard the USS New Jersey in 1943,unsure of date, and stayed with 'her' until 1946. He never spoke of his duties on the 'Jersey'. However, he remained a loyal 'Jerseyman.' In the later years of his life the intensity of this loyalty increased. He wanted to attend your last reunion, however failing health prevented this from happening. Now that he has passed, the reading of the journal he kept while aboard the New Jersey has given me a better understanding of who he was as a young man and young sailor. He instilled in me the desire to enter the Navy and 'stay the course' for my career. I am eternally grateful for that advise. I wish you "Fair Winds and Following Seas" old salt and hope our paths again in the distant future.

*******************************************************************************  04/08/03
name:  Romeo "FRENCHY Frenette
email: romececi@yahoo.com

story:

Jim Flora  passed away over the week-end.
I served with Jim on the second KOREAN Cruise, and never forgot what a gentleman he was........
I can't fill his shoes, and it will be hard for anybody to fill his shoes......
I got to know his Charming, Lovely Wife Frances Flora through the Internet, and know deep how her heart must hurt right now............

GOOD BY  JIM    AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE...YOU'VE EARNED YOUR REST...

name:  Victoria Sorrentino Ehrler

e-mail: V_G_Ehrler@msn.com 

name:  Tom Lanagan
email: tlanagan@att.net

Eulogy:  In honor of my uncle, Eugene Waterstraw, who passed on in 1999.  Gene was an
Electrician on the New Jersey and served in WW-II in the Pacific campaign.

regards, Tom Lanagan

name:  Wendy Zarr
email: WMZ567@aol.com

Eulogy: My father Richard Anthony Zarr was a world war two vet.  He served his country on the USS New Jersey. He was a loving father and a wonderful husband.  His birthdate 03-06-25 - 04-08-1995.  He is loved and still missed.

name:  Donna Abate-Daughter of Former Shipmate John Abate, WWII
email: faliero@msn.com

story:

Eulogy:  For John Abate- Former WWII crewman on the USS New Jersey

The USS New Jersey was your home during WWII.  I know you were proud to serve our country on this most decorated ship.  If you were here today, you would still be talking about the ship and all its glory.
I can still remember the many stories you told of your service during WWII and never once did you forgot to mention the USS New Jersey.
You proudly wore the BB62 cap everywhere you went.  You spoke about how you fired the guns off the ship as was your job as a fire controlman. You never mentioned being afraid of the enormous responsibility you had been given.  You only mentioned that you were proud to serve your country on such a great ship and with such great fellow crewmen.  
I know we didn't make the reunion you were so anxiously waiting to attend and know you would have been so happy to meet your former crewmen.
In my heart you will always be remembered for the proud, brave person you were, in serving our great nation.
You will be remembered by your family who will never forgot the joy of having such a caring and giving father.  Most of all you will be remembered for being the best father a daughter can have.
Until we meet again, your memory will always live on.
 

Love Your Daughter Donna

name:  Maria Puckett
email: m_puckett15@yahoo.com

story:

My grandfather, Charles "Red" Foy served aboard the USS New Jersey during WWII in the Pacific.  He passed away in May of 1998. Although he never spoke about the war, I know that he and all who served on the New Jersey displayed great amounts of courage every day that they served.  The ship's book sits in a place of prominence in my parent's home and I whenever I visit and page through it I am reminded of how much those sailors gave both during and after the war and how each and every one of them was a true hero no matter what their job.

Grandpa, you are missed everyday by us all.

name:  Arthur W . Gott Jr.
email: a.gott2@verizon.net

story:

Arthur W. Gott was buried today 02/17/05. He served aboard the BBNJ-62 as S-3 during 1950-52. He would always tell us that those two years aboard ship were the best years of his life. He won an all expense pd trip to Paris for a week in a singing contest on ship. His class ring was his prized possession. It was our pleasure to accompany him 3yrs ago to visit his old ship. He got the royal treatment as a returning vet.
Dad it is my pleasure to honor you by wearing your ring as a tribute to your faithful service to our great country. You are enrolled in the roll call of the faithful. God bless you through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior forever and ever. Amen

Love,

Arthur W. Gott Jr.    Georgetown, Ma.

name:  Phillip Fougere Jr.
email: flipfou@hotmail.com

story:
Phillip L. Fougere
78 Years Old
Thompson CT - native of Westboro, MA
Died Oct 25, 2006

Veteran of WWII (YMS 361) and Korean Conflict (BB-62).  Took part in major combat operations.  My Dad was immensely proud of his service and it would mean a lot to my family if his passing were recorded here.  Was was a true patriot and wonderful role model.  In 1967 he lost his eyesight due to retinitis pigmantosis and used his VA benefits to go back to school and earn a Bachelors and Masters.  He worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for nearly 20 years as director of a social rehab facility and raised 3 children, 4 stepchildren and had 19 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. As you can well imagine.  He will be greatly missed everyday by all he touched.

name:  Suzanne Devlin

email: irishsuzanne@msn.com

 story:

 My husband, Ed Devlin passed away on 12/13/07 after a long battle with kidney disease and cancer but he never stopped talking about his ship "The U.S.S.New Jersey aboard which he served as Fire Control during the Korean War. Besides, his family whom he loved dearly he was never prouder of anything in his life as serving aboard the Battleship New Jersey and always wore a jacket, baseball hat or a shirt which proudly had the ship'w silhouette or embroidering and he was always ready to talk to anyone who asked him about his service. He went to his death wearing a U.S.S,New Jersey Polo Shirt as the caregivers at the Hospice House all knew of his love for the "damn ship in the U.S. Navy and I promised him that I would add him to the taps list as soon as possible.

He is missed dearly but will never be forgotten.

name:  MICHELLE BUCKLEY LEONARD

email: MICHELLENTZC@YAHOO.COM

story:

MY TRIBUTE IS TO MY ONE AND ONLY HERO, HE TAUGHT ME MANY THINGS, FROM RIDING A BIKE, TO DRIVING A CAR.  TAUGHT ME HOW TO TIE KNOTS, JUST LIKE IN THE NAVY.  HE ALWAYS SPOKE HIGHLY OF BEING ON THE USS NEW JERSEY AND HIS FRIENDS THERE, FRANK RAGONE AND CHUCK SMITH, AMONG MANY OTHERS.  HE WAS MY HERO, HE WAS MY DADDY.........HENRY CURTIS BUCKLEY  5TH DIV. KOREA  JUNE 1, 1930 - JANUARY 23, 2008

SINCERELY, HIS LOVING DAUGHTER, MICHELLE

name:  Jim Copping

e-mail:  james [jcopping@comcast.net]

Lawrence Arthur “Bud “Zipp Seaman First Class passed away on February 2^nd 2013 at his home near Charlevoix Michigan.  He enlisted in the US Navy the day after his 17^th Birthday on May 26, 1942.  He underwent basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station and assigned to the Cruiser Memphis.  The Memphis was the Flagship for President Roosevelt at the Casablanca Conference (Jan 1943) with Winston Churchill where they planned the invasion of Italy.  He transferred to the Battleship New Jersey and became   a “Plank Owner” in May 1943.  He served in the FA Division until October 17^th 1945.   We were fortunate to hear him recount stories of the shakedown  cruise in the Atlantic with target practice and modifications to the ship that were made and the eventual passage through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean.  He had a keen memory of the events that occurred during the months and years that he served on the New Jersey...  He could vividly describe the details of air battles, refueling and rearming procedures, evasive maneuvers of the ship and riding out the typhoon.  We were honored that he shared these reflections with us as he was a very private man.  He left the New Jersey in October 1945 when he was twenty years old.  He was awarded nine battle stars for the Asiatic-Pacific and two stars for the Philippine Liberation Campaigns... America owes a great debt of gratitude to those who serve their country as Bud and fellow crew members did.   We think of him often and will miss him.

name:  James M. O'Rourke

e-mail: chelaine@comcast.net
 

Served in the Korean War on the USS New Jersey, and was a member of American Legion Post 139, Milford, Pa., and American Legion Post 118, Secaucus, N.J. James Michael was born in Providence, R.I.