Smilestones
Regan Capone is shown with Eleanor Robinson, of Pembrook Farm, at left, presenting a check for $20,340 to Amy Mahon, president of the Love of Linda Cancer Fund.
REGAN CAPONE RAISES $14,000 FOR CHARITY
Regan Capone, a 12-year-old student at Ocean City Intermediate School, is a competitive horseback rider who trains at Pembrook Farm in Eldora, N.J. Each year, owner Eleanor Robinson hosts a horse show that benefits the Love of Linda Cancer Fund. During the 2022 horse show, Regan raised $14,000, increasing her total over the last four years to $31,000. In addition to fundraising, Regan competed in Pembrook Farm’s annual Love of Linda Horse Show on her pony, Tia Maria. This year, she finished in sixth place out of a field of 30 riders. Regan lives in Sea Isle City with her parents, Kevin and Melissa, and her siblings, Lily, Claire and Connor.
Regan during the show on her pony Tia Maria.
Isabella Frame, the winner of the local Knights of Columbus spelling bee for eighth-graders, is flanked by runner-up Nicholas Catanoso and third-place finisher Flora Morris as they pose with their prizes. St. Joseph Church KOC members in the back row are (from left): Alex Iannone, Jim McGowan, Ed McFadden, Mike McHale, and Mike Jargowsky.
BISHOP MCHUGH STUDENTS SWEEP K.O.C. SPELLING BEE
Students from Bishop McHugh Regional School swept the top three places in the annual spelling bee for eighth-graders hosted by the Knights of Columbus Madonna Maria Council #3560 of St. Joseph Church on Feb. 23.
Eleven students from nearby schools competed for cash prizes. The first-place winner was Isabella Frame, of Cape May Court House, who received the top prize of $250. Isabella was followed by Nicholas Catanoso, of Cape May Court House, second place, $150; and Flora Morris, of Marmora, third place, $100.
As first-place winner, Isabella will be invited to compete in a diocesan spelling bee later this year.
MONSIGNOR FITZSIMMONS: 60 YEARS A PRIEST
Monsignor Thomas Fitzsimmons, a year-round resident of Sea Isle City who has served the St. Joseph Church community, is celebrating his 60th anniversary as a priest.
Fitzsimmons was born in Newark and is one of four siblings (including a brother who was also a monsignor and two sisters who were nurses). He attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore for two years before becoming a resident and student at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, while simultaneously studying theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, where all of the classes were in Latin. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 19, 1962 in Rome.
After returning to the United States, he continued his graduate studies at Villanova University while also teaching Latin and religious courses at Gloucester Catholic High School. Later, he served as the Catholic chaplain at Glassboro State College before becoming the pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes parish in Collings Lake, N.J., where he served for six years. For the next 10 years, he was the pastor at St. Luke’s parish in Stratford, N.J., where he helped the parish construct a new house of worship. Soon after, he received the papal honorary title of monsignor.
Fitzsimmons also served as pastor of St. Ann parish in Wildwood for 10 years before retiring. During his retirement, he served as a year-round celebrant for 10 years at Sea Isle’s St. Joseph Church, where he was also the chaplain for the Knights of Columbus.
LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT
CONNOR JOHN CUSTER
Connor John Custer was born Nov. 30 to Alex and Buddy (Charles) Custer of Milwaukee. Connor weighed in at 9 pounds, 9 ounces. He is the grandson of Bud and Dot Custer, of Wildwood Crest; and Annette Waddington, Scott Collins and Gordy and Diane Waddington, of Milwaukee. Connor is also welcomed by a large extended family, including his great-grandmother Fran Custer, Uncle Ron Custer, and Auntie Kathy Custer, all of Sea Isle City – and many other relatives in New Jersey and Wisconsin. Connor’s big sister, Quinn, loves playing with her little brother.
EMILIA MAXINE DRUCKER
Emilia Maxine Drucker was born Sept. 7 and weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces. She resides in Jersey City with her mom, Hannah, and her father, Elliot. Hannah works in the HR Department at the Hudson River Trading Company. Elliot works for Daily Harvest, an online food distributor. First-time grandparents are Lisa and Rick DiBruno, who are dedicated members of St. Joseph Church. Emilia’s paternal grandparents are Allen and Stacey Drucker, of Manalapan, N.J. The growing family is looking forward to spending plenty of time this summer on the beach with their new little one.
