Marlboro and Colts Neck Residents In the News 2012

There just isn't enough time in a year to get to every amazing resident in Marlboro and Colts Neck. But in 2012, the people I met as the Editor of Marlboro-Colts Neck Patch truly amazed me.

Below are just some of my favorite residents. To view every profile we wrote in 2012, check out our Faces of Marlboro and Faces of Colts Neck pages.

Jennifer Pellechio-Lukowiak

When Jennifer Pellechio-Lukowiak of Colts Neck was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38, she was flooded with support. Her husband, her 9-year-old and 11-year-old sons and the rest of her family and friends made food, offered help and dropped off guiding books.

But Lukowiak said there was a lot missing from those books for a woman diagnosed with breast cancer in her 30's. She struggled with how to tell her young children, she struggled with the thought of losing her hair and she struggled to maintain her sense of humor.

Read more in Jennifer's Patch story.

Dr. David Abbott

It isn't easy to leave 43 years of your life behind for a new chapter, but Superintendent Dr. David Abbott is ready.

Abbott announced his retirement from the Marlboro District in June, a move the Board of Education regretfully accepted. Abbott's last day as superintendent will be in June of 2013.

"This is my 43rd year in education, you know when it is time," Abbott said. "I am also 72-years old, I know for the school district, it is time for them to get a younger leader. Possibly a person that is ready to take the technology initiative to another whole level, and invest themselves, hopefully for at least ten years."

Read more about Dr. Abbott in his Patch story.

Lee Elvis

Lee Elvis has been emulating Elvis Presley since he was 3 years old, many years before Presley died, rocking out to the music of The King and getting paid for it.

Elvis, who has lived in Marlboro for 16 years, said he began performing Presley's songs in hotels in New York when he was 11, making enough money to join the Musician's Union.

"I was one of the earliest Elvis Presley performers," Elvis said. "I picked up the guitar at 7-years-old."

Read Lee's story of rock-n-roll history on Patch.

The Kopp Family

Brandon Kopp was born a healthy boy. It wasn't until 2009 when he was 3 years old that he suddenly began to experience seizures. 

While in New York on vacation, Dawn Kopp saw her son drop the floor and seize two separate times, and again in the waiting room of a New Jersey hospital.

"It progressed quickly from there," the Marlboro mother said.

Read more about Brandon and how he got healthy in our Patch story.

Stan and Fran Bauman

You may see them at Town Hall. You may see them at Marlboro Multicultural Day. Most likely, you will see the happy couple at Marlboro High School girl's basketball games.

Chances are, you have encountered Stan and Fran Bauman in Marlboro Township.

Their children are grown and beyond the boundaries of Marlboro, their grandchildren are ages 25 and under, but the Baumans don't let that stop them from going to middle school plays, local government meetings, Teen Advisory Committee meetings, high school sports games and more.

Read more about Stan and Fran in their Patch story.