Manchester Honors Former Committeeman Killed In Crash

MANCHESTER, NJ — Flags will fly at half-staff at the Municipal Complex in honor of Blackwell Albertson, a former Manchester Township Committeeman and Municipal Utilities Authority appointee who died in a car crash along with his wife, Jean, on Monday, officials announced.

Albertson served on the Township Committee from January through December of 1971, filling a seat left vacant following the passing Harry Wright, according to township officials. At the time, Manchester Township's government operated as a committee, before changing to the council form in 1990. Both Mr. and Mrs. Alberston were life members of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company and Auxiliary, township officials said.

Services for the couple, who died when their car hit a tree on Route 70 in Pemberton Township Aug. 8, are set for Sunday and Monday,, according to the obituary posted by Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home.

Their obituary is reprinted below as it appears on the Anderson & Campbell website:

Blackwell S. and Jean S. Albertson of the Beckerville section of Manchester Township, vowing till death do us part, transcended to heaven together August 8, having celebrated 59 years of marriage. Dad, 78, was a mason and contractor. Mom, 77, was retired from Ocean County Printing and Graphics Department.

They are survived by their children, Jean Hartmann; Darlene; Annette Thalasinos; and Blackwell Jr. and his wife MarySue. They leave behind brothers David and his wife Jenny Albertson; Richard and his wife Betty Wright, and sister Aggie Nelson. They were blessed with 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.

They were life members of Whiting Fire Company & Auxiliary. Dad was a member of Pemberton-Pyramid Masonic Lodge. Mom was a member of Gloria Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. They were longtime members of Ocean County & Manchester Township Regular Republican Clubs. They were County Committee members and Dad was a Manchester Township Committeeman.

Service will be at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, Lacey Road, Whiting, NJ, with visiting hours Sunday, Aug. 14 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held Monday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. followed by interment. In lieu of flowers, it is requested by the children that donations be made in their honor to Franciscan Ministries, Shriners Hospital for Children and Victory Junction Camp.

Candles image via Shutterstock; Alberstons' photo via Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home website