Living

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Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Arthur Villarosa
Holmdel - Arthur Villarosa, a long time resident of Holmdel, NJ, lived 89 wonderful years and departed this world on the morning of Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Kirkland WA surrounded by many of his children and grandchildren.
As he often said, Art lived a great and full life that he wouldn't change for anything. He saw the world, had a successful career, friendships everywhere he went, an adoring wife, and, most importantly to him, a big, beautiful family. He spent 54 years with the love of his life, Nancy Villarosa, with whom he had four children: he is survived by Gregory (Barbara), Joan Villarosa Kostal (Hubert Kostal), Teri and Joseph (Kim). Art was also the beloved and immensely supportive grandfather to nine grandchildren: Greg, Margo, Kevin, Christian, Francesca, Alexis, Lily, Joseph, Lucy, and he was an especially doting great-grandfather to Silvanis. Art is also survived by two sisters, Dolores Bigby and Diane Gilmore; many, many nieces and nephews; and his loving companion of the past 9 years, Georgia Kaminski.
Art was born in Wilkes-Barre PA on 2/21/1933, the middle child of 15 in a family full of love. The family moved to Bergen County NJ where Art graduated from Westwood High School. At 18 he joined the Navy on a whim embarking on a path that would set him up for a future of great success. Surprising himself by the high aptitude he demonstrated in testing upon enlistment, Art was trained as a radar technician and deployed towards the end of the Korean War aboard the USS Clarence Bronson. Art returned to NJ where he soon met the lovely Nancy Richards and they married on August 30, 1958.
A testament to the strong character and work ethic he exhibited throughout his life, Art worked as a brick mason to support his young family while simultaneously pursuing a university degree. Laying literal foundations for homes while also laying the foundation for much future professional success and family security. Upon graduating with his BS in Electrical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinsen (He would later also earn an MS from NYU), Art was recruited by AT&T Bell Laboratories where he build a long, successful career including many years working on Electrical Switching Systems (ESS) technologies. He retired as a Department Head in 1985 and went on to build a technological consulting business with his close business partner, George Liou.
Art was an avid golfer and long time member of the Beacon Hill Country Club. He shared this pastime with many friends, his children and some of his reluctant grandchildren. He loved to play bridge, so much so he would organize classes to garner additional playing partners. He loved to travel with Nancy, and later Georgia, and friends. Art had a love of boating and developing rich social connections. He was an honorary life time member and former Commodore of the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June 3, 2022 at 10:30 am at St. George's By the River, 7 Lincoln Avenue, Rumson, NJ 07760. Reception will follow from 12-3 pm at the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. Attn: Foundation, 106 Apple Street, Suite 110, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724

Asbury Park Press
Posted online on May 27, 2022

Arthur married Nancy Joan Richards on 30 Aug 1958 in Ridgewood, Bergen Co, New Jersey. Nancy (daughter of John B Richards) was born on 6 Jan 1939 in Paterson, Passiac Co, New Jersey; died on 9 Dec 2012 in Holmdel, Monmouth Co, New Jersey; was buried about Dec 2012 in Holmdel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Monmouth Co, New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Nancy R. Villarosa, Holmdel, NJ, died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012 at New York Presbyterian - Columbia Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She grew up in Ridgewood NJ and graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1956. She was the beloved wife of Arthur Villarosa. They were married for 54 years. She was the adoring mother of Gregory Villarosa, Joan Villarosa Kostal (husband Hubert Kostal), Teri Villarosa, and Joseph P. Villarosa (wife Kim Villarosa). She had nine beautiful grandchildren, Gregory A., Margo, and Alexis Villarosa; Christian and Francesca Kostal; Kevin Villarosa; Lily, Joseph and Lucy Villarosa with whom she had close, loving relationships. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Misischia and husband Frank Misischia and brother, Robert Hyslop Jr. as well as many nieces and nephews. She lived in Holmdel for 40 years and was a member of the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club and Beacon Hill Country Club. She was an avid bridge player participating in numerous woman's and duplicate bridge groups. Over the years, she volunteered her time at several local hospitals. She made a lasting impression on everyone she met, all who knew her considered her a personal friend. Viewing will be held on Friday, December 14 from 5 -8pm at John E Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank NJ. 732 747-0332 A viewing and the religious ceremony will be held Saturday, December 15 from 9:30-11:30am at the John E Day Funeral Home followed by the burial at Holmdel Cemetery on Holmdel Road in Holmdel.

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Married:
Village Girl is Bride of Mr. Villarosa Marriage vows were exchanged yesterday [30 Aug 1958] in the First Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, between Miss Nancy Joan Richards, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Hyslop of 58 John St, Ridgewood, and Arthur Villarosa, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Villarosa of 49 Wanamaker Ave, Waldwick [New Jersey]. Dr. Charles A. Platt, pastor officiated.
- The Sunday News, Ridgewood NJ; 31 Aug 1958

Nancy Richards, Mr. Villarosa Ridgewood Sept 2 1958 - Miss Nancy Richards, daaughter of the late John B. Richards and step-daughter of Mrs. Robert S. Hyslop of 53 John Street, was married to Arthur Villarosa Saturday in the First Presbyterian Church. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Villarosa of Waldwick. The bride, given in marriage by her step-father, Robert S. Hyslop, wore embroidered nylon and organdy. Miss Judith Wills was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were the Misses Nancy Spence, Phyllis Ahrens, and Barbara Hyslop, the bride's sister. Best man was Richard Villarosa, brother of the bridegroom. Ushers were Allan Villarosa, another brother, Anthony Frank, and Philip Suraci. The bride's brother Robert was junior usher. Mrs. Villarosa is employed by the North Jersey Trust Company, Ridgewood. Mr. Villarosa served 2 years in the Navy and is a senior at Fairleigh Dickinson University. - The Record, Hackensack, New Jersey, 02 Sep 1958, Tue, Page 28

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Marcus DeCastro Villarosa was b 8 Oct 1893 in Imus, Cavite Provence, Philippines to Vinancio Villarosa (b. est 1872 in Cavite Provence; d. 9 Jun 1942 in Imus) and Bibiana DeCastro (b. est 1862 in Kawit, Cavite Province; d. 20 Sep 1938 in Bacoor, Cavite Provence). After the Spanish American War and the subsequent Philippines-American War in which the United States acquired Philippines as its first imperialist act, Marcus joined the United States Navy in 1909 using the pseudonym Tommy or Thomas or Timoteo for a given name and Legaspi or Legassky for a surname. In the 1920 US census there is a Thomas Legassky or Thomas Legasphy, aged 25, who was born in Philippines and whom resided on Westminster Street, Wilkes-Barre, Ward 15, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Thomas was a boarder in the household of Willard and Edna Williams. His marital status was "divorced" and he was a laborer in a machine shop earning wages. He was able to read and write. In the 1930 census, Thomas had abandoned his Navy name but it turned out as Marke Villa Rosa in the census. Similar information from the 1920 census for Thomas Legassky is found for Marcus in the 1930 census. He resided on McLeon Street, Wilkes-Barre, owned his own house valued at $6000, and had no radio set. His age at first marriage (Gertrude Thomas) was 29, his father and mother were born in Philippine Islands and they spoke Spanish. From the 1930 census we learn Marke's immigration year was 1918. He was a naturalized US citizen and spoke English, his occupation was foreman in a carpet mill, and he earned wages or salary. In 1930, the Villa Rosas household members were: Marke, aged 35; Gertrude (Sr) aged 25; Gertrude (Jr) aged 5; Gladys aged 4; Marcus (Jr) aged 3; Paul aged 1; and a Mary Mailander aged 46. Marcus D Villarosa and his wife Gertrude are found in the 1933 Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania City Directory living at 200 Barney. His WWII draft registration card says he was working at American Cart Foundry Co, Willkes-Barre PA. In a Veterans Administration application for a headstone filed by Marcus' wife, Gertrude dated 18 Feb 1969 shows an enlistment date of 7 Aug 1909, a discharge date of 6 Aug 1913, and a rank of "Matt 1st Class" (Mess Attendant)* Marcus' burial place and the location of the headstone is George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, New Jersey. At the time of the application, Gertrude E. Villarosa was living at 92 Turner Rd, Pearl River, New York. Since the dates of WWI were 28 Jul 1914 to 11 Nov 1918 and the US entered the war 6 Apr 1917 apparently Marcus was not involved in WWI.
**The Messman Branch, responsible for feeding and serving officers, was a racially segregated part of the U.S. Navy. White sailors could not serve in the Messman Branch, which was composed almost exclusively of African-Americans recruited in the U.S. and Filipino, Chinese and other foreign nationals who had been recruited overseas into the U.S. Asiatic Fleet. The "Matt" designation continued through to WWII when it attracted criticism from civil rights leaders. The Roosevelt administration was under some pressure to address this inequality and some steps were taken throughout the war, but the Navy's leadership proved resistant to major change. In February 1943 the name of the branch was changed to Steward Branch, the word "officer's" was dropped from rate titles, and "mess attendant" became "steward's mate". The new rating of "cook" should not be confused with "ship's cook," which was part of the Commissary Branch. In June 1944 cooks and stewards were authorized to wear petty officer-style rating badges. Despite the change in insignia, however, stewards and cooks were not petty officers and ranked below the most junior petty officer grade. Petty officer status was not extended to stewards until 1950. https://uniform-reference.net/insignia/usn/usn_ww2_enl_steward.html

Obituary for Marcus D. Villarosa
The Record
Hackensack, New Jersey
10 Nov 1968 p79PATERSON - Services for Marcus D. Villarosa, 75, of 147 E. 25th St [in Los Angeles] will be Monday at 2 p.m. at the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church, with Mr. Arthur Dreistadt officiating. Mr. Villarosa died Wednesday at the Wardsworth Veterans Hospital, West Los Angeles, Calif. Born in the Philippine Islands, he lived in Waldwick [New Jersey] for many years before moving here a year ago. He was a machinist for the Marlow Pump Co. in Midland Park before retiring eight years ago. He was a Navy veteran of World War I. He is survived by his widow, the former Gertrude Cressler; seven sons, John and William both of Paterson [NJ], Daniel of Waldwick [NJ], Arthur of Holmdel [NJ], David of Park Ridge [NJ], and Alan of Seattle, Wash; six daughters, Mrs. John (Gertrude) LaNane of Upper Saddle River [NJ], Mrs. William (Gladys) Strey of Wilkes Barre, Pa., Mrs. William (Ruth) Littles of Pearl River, NY, Mrs Edward (Dolores) Bigby of Sacramento, Calif, Mrs. William (Janice) McDonald of Beverly Hills, Calif, and Mrs. Leslie (Dorothy) Gilmore of Los Angeles; 24 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. A son, Paul, was killed in Vietnam last January. Burial will be in George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus [NJ]. Friends may visit at the J.H. Olthuis Funeral Home, 159 Godwin Ave, Midland Park [NJ].

Marcus married Gertrude Egbert Cressler about 1918 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co, Pennsylvania. Gertrude (daughter of Frederick Richard Wolfe Thomas and Mary Adaline Cressler) was born on 22 May 1904 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co, Pennsylvania; died on 27 Sep 1974 in Santa Monica, Los Angeles Co, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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According to the 1920 census, Gertrude E Cressler aged 15 and her sister, Gwendolin T Cressler aged 17 were living with their grandparents, John M Cressler MD, and his wife Anabelle.
Gertrude Cressler Villarosa, former Paterson resident, died Friday [27 Sep 1974] in a nursing home in Santa Monica Calif. She was 70 and had lived at 2231 Veterans Ave, Los Angeles. Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, Mrs. Villarosa had lived in Waldwick and Paterson for some years before moving to Los Angeles a few years ago. While in Paterson, she resided at 147 E. 25th St., and was an active member of the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church. She was the widow of Marcus Villarosa. The funeral, for which arrangements are being completed, will be held from the JH Olthuis Funeral Home, 159 Godwin Ave, Midland Park [Bergen County, New Jersey]. Surviving are seven sons: G. Daniel of Waldwick; William of Hackensack; Arthur of Holmdel; David of Cheshire, Conn; Richard and John, both of Los Angeles, and Allen of Minnesota. Four daughters: Mrs. Leslie (Dorothy) Gilmore of Los Angeles; Mrs. Edward (Dolores) Bigby of Walnut Creek, Calif; Mrs. William (Gladys) Strey of Wilkes-Barre; and Mrs. William (Ruth) Littles of Pearl River, N.Y. In addition, three sisters in Wilkes-Barre; 28 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by two daughters, Trudy and Janice and two sons, Joseph and Paul.

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(Research):Cavite, officially the Province of Cavite, is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Located on the southern shores of Manila Bay and southwest of Metro Manila, it is one of the most industrialized and fastest-growing provinces in the Philippines (2020).
Imus, officially the City of Imus (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Imus), is a 3rd class component city and capital of the province of Cavite, Philippines. Like Cavite City (originally called Cavite La Punta) and Noveleta (La Tierra Alta), Imus used to be a part of Cavite el Viejo (now Kawit), whose parish church was built by the Jesuits during the administration of Archdiocese of Manila Archbishop Miguel Garcia Serrano, 1618\endash 1629. On June 11, 1977, then President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 1163, which transferred the provincial capital of Cavite from Trece Martires City to Imus City. There is no other enabling law after that, that specifies the capital of Cavite.

Venancio married Bebiana De Castro. Bebiana was born about 1864 in Kawit, Cavite Province, Philippines; died on 20 Sep 1938 in Bacoor, Cavite Province, Philippines. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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(Research):Kawit, officially the Municipality of Kawit (Tagalog: Bayan ng Kawit), is a first-class municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines.It is one of the notable places that had a major role in the country's history during the 1800s and 1900s. Formerly known as Cavite el Viejo, Kawit is from the word kalawit, the Aguinaldo Shrine, where independence from Spain was declared on June 12, 1898. It is also the birthplace of Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines, who from 1895 to 1897, served as the municipality's chief executive. Kawit was the most thriving settlement prior to the coming of the Spaniards. In fact, the town provided the first anchorage of the Spaniards in the province, whence colonization and proselytization of the Christian religion began, spreading to all corners of the province.
Bacoor, officially the City of Bacoor (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Bacoor), is a 1st class component city in the province of Cavite, Philippines. Some accounts indicate that the city of Bacoor, also named Bakood or Bakoor was founded as a pueblo or town in 1671. When Spanish troops first arrived in Bacoor they met some local inhabitants in the process of building a bamboo fence (bakod in Filipino) around a house. The Spaniards asked the men the name of the village but because of the difficulties in understanding each other, the local inhabitants thought the Spaniards were asking what they were building. The men answered "bakood". The Spaniards pronounced it as "bacoor" which soon became the town's name.

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In the 1910 US census, Frederick Thomas was living in Phhiladelphia Ward 35 and was married to Helen Thomas; years married 3. In the marriage license of their son, Charles Warren, m. Thelma Swenson 8 Jun 1905.
In the Wilkes-Barre Record, 24 Oct 1900 p12: Wedding--Frederick Richard Thomas and Miss Mary Adaline Cressler will be united in marriage at 8 o'clock this evening at the residence of the bride's parents, Mr and Mrs Dr J.M. Cressler, 107 Parrish St.
On 11 March 1916 Frederick (Fred R. W. on marriage cert) was married to Norma Waldrip in Tacoma, Washington.

Frederick married Mary Adaline Cressler on 24 Oct 1900 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co, Pennsylvania. Mary (daughter of John Michael Cressler and Emma Arabella "Belle" Stiles) was born on 27 Mar 1884 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co, Pennsylvania; died on 9 Nov 1953 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Comlng Wedding. Dr. and Mrs. J. M. Cressler announce the engagement of their daughter, - Mary Adaline, to Frederick Richard Thomas. The marrlage will take place at the residence of the bride's parents, 107 Parrtsh street, on the evening of Oct. 24 [1900].
In birth certificate #42062 of Mary Mailander Jr, b. 4 Mar 1910, Herman Mailander and Mary A Cressler live at 117 Carlise St in Wilkes-Barre, Mary Jr was born in Wilkes-Barre, father's occupaton was contractor. Attending physician was her grandfather Dr JM Cressler who lived at 250 S River St, Wilkes-Barre.