The Essex and Sussex
It was 100 years ago, the Essex and Sussex
became
A luxury resort hotel, Spring Lake's claim to fame
The rich and famous came flocking; enjoying elegance galore
At times you can feel and envision their presence here
Adorned with parasols and petticoats a vision to hold dear
Starred in the movie “Ragtime” backdrop for high societyFaçade of yellow stucco…as elegant a structure as you’ll ever see
St. Catharine’s Church with its copper dome
Illuminates in the evening a splendid view from this home
Shrine to the deceased daughter of Martin Maloney
Cherished by so many, a place of Holy Matrimony
I moved into this place because of the view
The sunrises a sight to behold oh so true
However as grand as the building and its magnificent site
It’s the people inside that makes this place right
First there is Joe, the handsome and brilliant Cornell guy
Head of the English Department at West Essex Regional High
Always a smile and a kind word to all
That is why so many cared deeply when he took his fall
There is Ginny Duffy Shuttner from Brooklyn and Mary McGrath
Years of wisdom between them, you do the math
Ginny tells stories and Mary adds color
And then in pops Pat Redmond, the likes of no other
Spits out sports facts like no other can
Pete in his cheering outfit we all now fear
His poor wife, Joanne just shakes her head, “Oh Dear!”
Lois and Judy are an amazing pair
Helpful, social, fun and they care
They’ve resided here for quite awhile
They love to chat and walk the mile
And Johanna sweet Johanna friend to all
Give her some wine and she’ll have a ball
Does commercials for hearing aids, what’s that you say?
I said she is a movie star prettier than Tina Fay
Pet and Urie Parkhill are the cutest couple around
He is a general surgeon no more to be found
Golf a passion he still enthusiastically pursues
And Pet smiles and supports never crying the blues
There is Tommy Luciani who lives right next door
A funny guy, a good friend and gentleman for sure
Disappears to Florida where there’s not a snowflake
But always returns to this Gem in Spring Lake
There are so many Marys I will try to name all
Mary McGrath and Mary Kiernan who both have a ball
Then Mary Bartells of Spring Lake descent
And Mary Lou Oliva preparing for advent
There’s Mary and Maryann in the dining room they serve
The dinner special, a martini or a simple hors d’ouvre
There’s Maryann who golfs and Mary Ellen the reader
Then Mary McGrath at the bar…she’s our leader!
There’s Shannon and Joe frying steak in the bistro
They enjoy cooking in the oven instead of the micro
Beautiful Shannon with hair as gold as the sun
While Joe tells a greats story…so much FUN!!
Got married in June on the steps facing the beach
Here’s to marriage and a long life for each
A wedding party at the Parker House the likes of no other
If you don’t believe me go ask Joe’s brother!
There is awesome Ed Hunter who flew planes in the war
Discovered a great home here, this place by the shore
A man of few words but you always hear what he said
We have such great respect and we love you dearly, our Ed!!
Maybe that is where he learned how to dance
He likes sports too, A Giant fan is he
When I root for the Pats, he ridicules me!!
Ray’s wife is named Nancy and she’s very nice
Ask her for help and you don’t have to ask twice
Ray and Nancy are part of a group you see all the time
All the people in it are really sublime
There’s Doris from Belmar and Doris of Dance
And there is also Doris the sister of Bernice I met by chance
There was Dale oh Dale always dressed to kill
Wore leather pants and those hats…boy what a thrill!!
There is Shirley, pretty Shirley who resides in the Penthouse
Her daughter Debbie loves to visit with Buddy the dog not the spouse
Jean and Bob Ferguson are on the fifth floor too
They love to play bridge with their friends old and new
A strong leader she is and the Queen of the Ball
Tim, Brandon, Michael, Kevin and Jane the newest you know
Always ready to help, park your car, Say “Hello!”
There’s Sonny and Rita, Charlie, Jimmy and Ray
Don’t forget about Debbie who never misses a day
Then we have Sylvano and Itsel his adorable sister
And Nichol, the boss who’s always thanking the MisterBrandon, Michael Jr. and Alicia are also part of the crew
Over time a fondness for them grew and grew
And oh my we can not forget Robbie or Big Mark
And we hope that they never get eaten by a shark.
There’s Jack who loves to fish and Sheila his pretty wife
Another Jersey boy from Newark who’s made a great life
A swimmer, a lover, a quick wit as well
We love this couple a lot so many stories to tell.
Tini Bopper and the big guy always around
Friends by the dozens greatly abound
Tina who brings a smile and warmth to all
Jerry, the author, whose book was published last fall
Bob Esposito and Alba his bride
Always out on the ocean, ask Bob for a ride!!
On the beach you’ll find Bill, Millerick that is
Voted “Best Tan” that honor is all his!
Jim McCumsey has contributed so much with his mind
Many problems were solved that kept us out of a bind
Tony Massi and Emily were here for the summer
For all of you who knew them it could not have been funner.
Jan is our President, that’s her role on the board
Roy and his teammate Lew Alcindor on the court they scored
Bill and Diane, Rita and Jim
Sheila, Joe and Bob who stay so trim
Tony and Loretta such a great team
Jay, Bill and Pam are part of our team
There’s Susan, Linda Muller and the good Judge
When you need his attention just give him a nudge
There’s Judge Pollard , Judge Joel and also Judge Tony
Upstanding and bright not phony or full of baloney
With the help of Linda, Elizabeth and Debbie they do their duty
Although many have inquired..”No I am not Judge Judy!”
There is Eileen G who heads up the Centennial Committee
While Jane, the attorney heads west to a new city
Barbara and Fred with Beau at their side
Always involved and look at the E&S with pride
We have Sue and Strathis who are here from afar
She is so pretty and he is a star
There is Sue and her late husband Tom who recently passed
My goodness his life went by too fast!
Rissy and Catherine are sisters you see
They’re personable, fun and pretty as can be
Always helping including Operation Beachhead
Happy, delightful, good news they spread.
Nancy and Mark are from Connecticut, the state
Watch them on the dance floor, they are really great!!
Val and Richard are a couple we know quite well
They join in many activities and have stories to tell
There is another great couple named Nancy and Bob Bogel
They are on the first floor and we know them well
Ellie and Rita in their eighties at last
How in the world did the time pass so fast!!
It was constructed in 1914 this building of yore
A grand ole hotel attracting the rich to the shore
It’s withstood time and generations and celebrations so dandy
But we would be remiss not to mention Hurricane Sandy
We were here when the storm hit…no one wanted us to stay
We knew it was safe and we were right we must say
Storm Riders they called us and we formed a tight bond
And when the water cam rushing in boy did we respond
Begoggled Pete, Maria and I braved the storm
Got blown over to the boardwalk ..it was not very warm
The wind was so strong it picked up a log
And then Pete got a striper caught in his clog
There’s the gym, the solarium, common areas to meet
The bar, Wednesday night fireplace, a special treat
Go to the library, read and relax
Or go to the computer room and send off a fax
We have New Year’s Eve parties and fun at “Happy Hour”
The view is always alive with the sun and sea power
There is the Superbowl party and bridge games for sure
Cooking dessert in the bistro…please have some more.
For all those unnamed there is really no reason
Only that we did not see them around this season
If you have a little ditty about yourself that you want to share
Send it to us and we’ll handle it with care.
Judy and Joanne have finished at last
Their journey took them into the past
Uncovering personalities, traits and goals
Many people were traced to their very souls
Success, failures and struggles of some
Were combined often into a community of one
Never losing their identity along the way
But getting to listen to what each other had to say
As we celebrate the E&S of one hundred years
You can’t help but experience some fears and tears
Part of the healing living by the sea
Is to reach the level of acceptance of we
So on we go hopefully for many more times
Of sharing food, friendships and wines
The porch is a meeting place to see thru our eyes
How wonderful and gracious where people have grown wise
The E&S a century in the making
Will rest in our hearts and not forsaken
Move forward in life like a very steep hill
Navigating it takes a very strong will
Focus on the positive and good of everyone
And the memories will be integrated into a vision of one
If you were part of the journey of this lovely old place
Hold up your head and remember it with grace
As these printed words move on through the years
A piece of your spirit will forever stay near
All the generations in the years that will be
Have a glimpse into the people that they will see.
