The Central New Jersey Home News from New Brunswick, New Jersey • 12

B2 www.thnt.com HAND From Page B1 Rashed's attorney, Kalman Geist, asked the judge to spare his client a five-year period of probation that the Prosecutor's Office was asking for so Rashed can seek his medical license. Probation beyond 16 months would have kept him from practicing medicine, Geist said. Under his plea deal, Rashed agreed not to seek licensure in New Jersey during the probation term. Rashed was charged in September with second- and thirddegree theft for crudely severing and taking the left hand from a cadaver in May or June of 2002 while he was a first-year student at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. He pleaded guilty to the thirddegree charge, of stealing research materials Feb.

1. Geist originally sought pretrial intervention for Rashed. The doctor apologized in court Thursday. "I meant no harm, but that does not excuse the action," he said. "I've shamed myself, my family and my profession." In asking DeVesa for leniency for Rashed, Geist heaped scorn on Linda E.

Kay, 31, the dancer at Hott22 in Union to whom Rashed gave the severed hand. Kay entered a pretrial intervention program for one year on Feb. 14 that will allow her to erase her criminal record if she Under his plea deal, Rashed agreed not to seek licensure in New Jersey during the probation term. LOCAL completes the program's terms. If not she faces second- and third -degree charges.

Geist, referring to a police report he received in the case, brought up an attack against a fellow Hott22 dancer that Kay was accused of along with two roommates in April. According complaints in the case, Kay, and the others held the dancer in the home on Diana Court in South Plainfield against her will for five hours and threatened to slit her throat. During the attack, Geist said in court Thursday, blood was spread on the victim and Kay licked it off. The charges against Kay in the attack were dealt with in her enrollment to pretrial intervention. Geist painted Rashed as a dedicated medical professional guilty of a single indiscretion and asked DeVesa to compare the work that both Kay and Rashed do.

He underscored the leniency the court showed Kay. "He took something that was soon to be ashes and dust and he didn't know it was criminal," Geist said. Rashed told DeVesa he will be making less than $50,000 a year and can work up to 80 hours a week. The diocese has spent more ST. PETER than $6.5 million operating the high school since it From Page B1 began fully subsidizing St.

Peter 10 years ago. "Please, make the decision to keep the school open. I'll be than happy to help," Bo- operating expenses, declining more enrollment and New Brunsraie said. wick's changing demographics Toolan rejected the offer, say- will force the diocese to close St. ing the decision to close the Peter in June.

school was based on a multirecord of enrollment Many attendees expressed year poor anger and dismay at the bishfigures and funding troubles. absence at the op's meeting. Diocesan spokeswoman "Any man in a position of Joanne Ward said it costs $1.5 power should have the million per year to run the decency to acknowledge us personally school. and apologize for his poor school did present the sion," said Jonathon Guarino, a Diocese with a 5-year plan to 2006 alumni of the school. save the school in 2002.

That "The bishop has sent his plan said, at the end of the 5 henchmen here. Yet he'll ask us years, the school would be sub- for money by a letter," added sidy-free. That hasn't hap- grandparent Pam Epps, co-chair pened," said Ward, referring to of communications for the Save a plan crafted by the private St. Peter Committee. firm Catholic School Management.

Toolan said at the meet- The diocese has spent more ing the plan cost the diocese than $6.5 million operating the $100,000 to commission. high school since it began fully subsidizing St. Peter 10 years Toolan and Vicar of Educa- ago. tion Monsignor Michael J. Corona led the Thursday night St.

Peter's enrollment has meeting in the high school gym. dropped from nearly 1,000 stuAbout 130 people attended. dents in the 1960s to 161 students this year, and about 42 The Most Rev. Paul G. Boot- percent now receive tuition askoski announced on Feb.

11 that sistance. The school arguably about the fight for her corpse, FOOD except to say that the judge shouldn't have. A judge, that is. From Page B1 What was the crying about? And why was it covered by the major networks and print First we get the death of her media as though Christ had son, which for some reason is come back and couldn't get a an entertainment story. Then we get her own death, another, reservation at the Hilton? bigger Now we get the paternity suit, media blitz.

I don't need to go into detail and won't those explanations of ANNIVERSARY SALE OFF THE ENTIRE INVENTORY Sunday, March 4th 11am-5pm RED BARN ANTIQUES 56 Maple Ave. New Egypt, NJ 1-800-400-8765 609-758-9152 www.redbarnnj.com Want Cash? YOUR OPINIONS CAN PAY OFF! USE YOUR SPARE TIME TO EARN EXTRA CASH! Join 0's consumer panel today! Earn extra money in your spare time by sharing your opinions about everyday products and services at Research (based in Old Bridge). Become a Panelist now! TEST ALL TYPES OF PRODUCTS, INCLUDING: Food and Beverages Personal Care Items (soaps, shampoos, etc.) Pet Care Items Household Products Cleaners Cosmetics Fragrances Baby Products EARN BETWEEN $10 $100 PER STUDY Call 800-952-4955 or visit www.gpanelist.com Enter project code 2606 HOME NEWS But Judson Hamlin, assistant Middlesex County prosecutor, said Rashed considered the severed hand a joke until he got caught. Hamlin said Rashed sent Kay a picture on his cell phone of a severed finger from the hospital where he worked and promised to send her more pictures of body parts in a Valentine's Day card, Hamlin said. "Any remorse post-dates that," Hamlin said.

The hand was taken from one of several boxes that contained body parts and were due to be cremated in a ceremony to honor the donations used in a gross anatomy class, Hamlin said. The cadaver that the hand was taken from was narrowed down to three bodies, Hamlin said. The investigation stopped with Rashed's guilty plea to spare the family who donated it any grief. Rashed served as a resident in the department of Emergency Medicine at Medical Center in Los Angeles until recently. He plans to go through his third year of residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, Geist told the court.

Police went to Kay's house in South Plainfield a on July 21 in response to a report of a man trying to commit suicide with a hammer. The man was not there, but the officers found the hand preserved in a foot-tall Mason jar of formaldehyde on a basement table and six human skulls that were eventually found to be legally purchased. Kay and others at the home nicknamed the hand "Freddy." has the diocese's most ethnically diverse and least affluent student body. Ward said the financial drain was pulling money away from other charitable, educational and pastoral ministries that the diocese provides for its 108 parishes. Some of the school's prominent alumni include New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill, former Mayor and state Senate President John A.

Lynch Assemblyman and city Councilman Joseph Egan, state Sen. Ellen Karcher, author Ann Rinaldi and former North Brunswick Mayor Paul Matacera. Parents have undertaken a massive letter-writing campaign, sending their pleas to Bishop Paul Bootkoski, the pope and Oprah Winfrey. "We're not just fighting for right now. We're fighting for the future," said Glen Fleming, chairman of the Save St.

Peter Committee. Fleming is also a 1986 graduate of the high school and its current boys basketball coach. "If you close down a Catholic school, you close these down these kids' world." Contributing: Staff Writer Greg Tufaro and Richard Khavkine DNA be educational and informative? There's more out there in the world than blond bimbettes. On any given day, the 10 Biblical plagues are being visited somewhere on a continent not so far away. Mention Darfur to someone, and see if they know what's going on there.

If you don't have access to the wire-service "feeds" that I do, your recourse for actual news is probably National Public Radio, which, even with its interminable begging -dollars drives, is the best blond bet quotient out there. is in a At more least believable proportion. Bring a Twinkie, and have a real news fest. Anne Bendheim (732) 565-7332 BREAST CANCER PATIENTS Looking for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and currently take Femara to participate in a market research discussion. You will be paid for your time and opinions.

PLEASE CALL JUDY AT 732-906-1122 TRIBUNE FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2007 OBITUARIES Other obituaries B4 BERTHA ACCHIONE AGE: 90 NEW BRUNSWICK Bertha "Bert" Acchione, 90, formerly of New Brunswick, left her daughter to join her husband and son on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007. She passed away peacefully at Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center in Berlin, Vt. She also leaves a son in New Jersey, six grandchildren and two great -grandchildren. Condolences may be sent Maria at 93 McKinstry Road, Cabot, VT 05647.

RICHARD W. EMMONS AGE: 56 SOUTH RIVER Richard "Genius" Wayne Emmons, 56, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, in his home in Florida. Born and raised in Monroe Township, he had resided in South River for 23 years. He was predeceased by his father, Robert Emmons, in 1979.

He i is survived by his lovely wife of 25 years, Muriel; his children: daughter, Andrea and her husband, Jason Semanovich, son, Richard Emmons, daughter, Jessica Emmons, and granddaughter, Kaitlyn Semanovich, and his best pal and niece, Brittany Kays, all of South River. He is also survived by his mother, Elizabeth; brothers, Buddy, Russell and his wife, Barbara, Allen and his wife, Marie, and Martin; sisters, Barbara Fabino and her husband, John, Liz BurJune Jennings, Carole Healey and her husband, Jim, Mary Ellen Kays and her fiance, Rich LaDue, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. MARIE GASPER AGE: 89 PERTH AMBOY Marie Gasper, 89, of Red Bank died Sunday, Feb. 25, at Neptune Rehabilitation Care Center, Neptune.

Born and raised in Perth Amboy, she lived in Red Bank for the past 58 years. She was the co-owner with her husband, John, of the Gasper Sign Company in Red Bank for 42 years, retiring in 1998. She was a communicant of Holy Trinity R.C. Church in Perth Amboy, and was a member of the Slovak Radio Show. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Gasper, in 1999; her parents, Paul and Katherine Turcina Adametz, and her brothers, Joseph and John Adametz.

She is survived by her niece, Eileen Clark of California; nephews, Richard and Timothy Adametz of New Jersey, Robert of Illinois and Ronald Adametz of Nevada, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. We will begin to leave at 10:30 a.m. on Monday from the Gustav J. Novak Funeral Home, 419 Barclay Perth Amboy, for an 11 a.m. funeral Mass at Holy Trinity Church, Perth Amboy.

Burial will be at the church cemetery. Visiting hours will be 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. MILDRED INTERDONATO AGE: 78 MANCHESTER Mildred (Siadak) Interdonato, 78, died Tuesday, Feb.

27, at home. Born in Garfield, Mildred was raised in New York City and resided in South Plainfield for over 35 years before settling in Leisure Knoll at Manchester Township 13 years ago. An avid gardener, Mildred loved to cook, read and paint WE WILL BEAT FUEL ANY COMPETITORS OIL PRICE! SERVICE C.O.D. Only AVAILABLE Oil 732-541-2787 LEGAL SERVICES Thinking about making a Will? WILLS $25.00 POWER OF ATTORNEY LIVING WILLS AVAILABLE Kaplan, Feingold Kaplan 5 Cooke Ave. Carteret, NJ 732-541-4235 LEGAL ADVICE when BUYING or SELLING a HOME enjoyed the beach, going as often as she could.

She is survived by her husband, Salvatore; two daughters, Mariella Bubnick and her husband, Charles, of South Plainfield and Angela Sessanta and her husband, Mario, of Holland Township, and her son, Glenn of Toms River. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Christine, Matthew and Mark Sessanta and Christopher and Alyssa Bubnick. Funeral services will be held 8:30 a.m. today (Friday) at McCriskin Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield South Plainfield, followed by a 9:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St.

Luke's R.C. Church, North Plainfield. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains. BARRY KERTESZ AGE: 62 FORDS Barry B. Kertesz, 62, of Fords, passed away Thursday, March 1, at the home of his son in Fords.

Mr. Kertesz was born in Perth Amboy and had resided in Hopelawn and Fords for most of his life. He was a Vietnam veteran, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr.

Kertesz was a truck driver and had been employed by Dana Transport in Avenel for 25 years and more recently by Jevic Transportation of Newark for over 10 years. He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn Melnick Kertesz, in 2003, and also by his parents, Michael and Elizabeth Vargo Kertesz. He is survived by his son, Michael S. and daughterin-law, Kathy Kertesz of Fords; his daughter, Lisa A. and sonin-law, Sal Gargiulo of Freehold; four grandchildren, Ashley, Anthony, Nicholas and Vincent, and his brother, Michael Kertesz of California.

Funeral services will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday at Mitruska Fuenral Home, 531 New Brunswick Fords. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery Mausoleum in Holmdel. Visiting hours will be 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. LOUIS W. MIKA AGE: 54 SPOTSWOOD Louis Wayne Mika, 54, of Plainfield, formerly of Spotswood, died Friday, Feb.

23, at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, Plainfield. Born in New Brunswick, he was raised in Spotswood before settling in Plainfield 17 years ago. Predeceased by his father, Louis Mika, he is survived by his mother and stepfather, Joan (Sharp) and Joseph Legaster of Spotswood; three sisters, Linda Mika of Plainfield, JoAnn Nelson and her husband, Fred, of Spotswood and Debra Agugliaro and her husband, Anthony, of Monroe Township, and two nieces and one nephew. Private funeral services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 27, under the direction of Spotswood Funeral Home, 475 Main Spotswood.

FRANK MIKUSI JR. AGE: 89 EDISON Frank J. Mikusi 89, of Livonia, passed away Sunday, Feb. 25, at Farmington Health Care Center in Farmington, Mich. Mr.

Mikusi was born in Perth Amboy and had lived in Hopelawn and Edison before moving to Port Charlotte, Fla. in 1985. He resided in Port Charlotte for 21 years before more recently moving to Michigan in 2005. Mr. Mikusi was a U.S.

Navy veteran of World War II. He was employed as a powerhouse engineer for National Lead in Sayreville for 46 years before retiring in 1984. He had been a communicant of Our Lady of Peace R.C. Church in Fords, St. Charles Church in Port Charlotte, and currently a member of St.

Edith Parish in Livonia. Mr. Mikusi was also a member of Hopelawn VFW Memorial Post 1352, the Seabees of America, and had been associated with the Marine Corps League of America. He was also a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and locally had been affiliated with Knights of Columbus Council 299 of Perth Amboy. He was predeceased by his sister, Ann Zupko.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Margaret Ihasz Mikusi; two daughters, Evelyn and her husband, Bill Johnston, of West Bloomfield, and Colleen and her husband, Bob Davies, of Anderson, a son, Frank and his wife, Debbie, of Washington, a sister, Mary Alfonse of Hamilton; a brother, James Mikusi of Somerset, and 11 grandchildren, six greatgrandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 8:30 am. Monday at Mitruska Funeral Home, 531 New Brunswick Fords, followed by a 9 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Peace R.C. Church in Fords.

Interment will follow ay Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery, also in Fords. Visiting hours will be 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. The Hopelawn VFW will hold services 7:30 p.m.

Sunday. WILLIAM ROBERTSON JR. AGE: 75 CLIFFWOOD BEACH William J. Robertson 75, of Cliffwood Beach, passed away Saturday, Feb. 24, at his winter home in Fort Pierce, Fla.

Born in Newark, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He settled in Cliffwood Beach in 1960 and was the owner of Robby Waterproofing. A devoted volunteer of Laurence Harbor Fire Company, his memberships include the American War Veterans Post 2, Jackson; American Legion Post 23 and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4247, both of Keyport; Elks BPOE Lodge 1591, Hillside; and the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 399, Ortley Beach. He is survived by a son, Major William David and his wife, Barbara Robertson; two daughters, Peggy and her husband, Ed Nowicki, and Cheri Wiseman, and eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

a ing son, an we The viewing will be from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. today (Friday), and from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday at Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 West Bay Ave. (corner of Gunning River Road), Barnegat.

Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Manahawkin. JUNE SHEPPARD-CETTA AGE: 74 EDISON June Alberta SheppardCetta, 74, of Phoenix, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Born on June 2, 1932 in Edison, she was a resident of North Plainfield before moving to Phoenix, Ariz.

in 1974. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis P. Cetta. She is survived by her six children, Frank, Joe and John, all of Phoenix, Matthew of Clearwater, Marylou Cetta of Somerset and Francine Cetta of Phoenix; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Marion Baranowski of Edison, Mable Kaiser of Alaska and Rosemarie Parvin Sheppard of Phoenix; a brother, William Robert Shepphard of Whiting, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Saturday, March 3, at St. Matthew's Church, Seymour Avenue, Edison. 2 TRUCKS DONATE CARS! BOATS RVs Help Fight CHILDREN'S CANCER Running or Not NO Restrictions Receive Fair Market Value All Receipts IRS Forms ON THE SPOT! SAME DAY-FREE PICK UP. Still TAX DEDUCTIBLE American Children's Society, Inc. Manalapan, NJ 800-380-4380.