Obituary of Celia Hunko

Celia Hunko, 95, of Freehold Township died Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at home. She was born Celia Ersilia Cianci in New York City on May 7, 1911 to Anthony and Appolonia Marie Dilisi Cianci. She grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. and married Roger Hunko in Virginia during World War II on Thanksgiving, 1942. In 1952 they moved to Englishtown and remained there until 1985 when they moved to Freehold Township. Mrs. Hunko moved to The Villages in Howell Township in 2000 and relocated to Freehold Township last year. Mrs. Hunko, who was known as Knob Hill’s Mom, worked, managed, and helped to establish Knob Hill Golf Course in Manalapan Township from its inception in 1963 until her retirement in 1989 when the course was sold and developed into condominiums. She continued her catering business until the age of 89. She was loved by many and can never be replaced by one. She was predeceased by her husband Roger Hunko in 1996; a son Robert Hunko in 1946; and her siblings, Pat Cianci, John Cianci, Fannie Frediani, Tessie Guida, Ida Corleto, Olga Montevago, and Eleanor Pearlman. Surviving are her children, Barbara A. Wagner, Freehold and Columbus, Roger and Kathleen Hunko, Bremerton, Washington, and Suzanne Hope, Freehold Township; a former son-in-law, D. Bruce Wagner and his wife Maureen; five grandchildren, Cecile “Cindy” and Kenneth Anderson, Columbus, Donald and Lisa Wagner, Freehold, Celia Hunko, Bremerton, Washington, Melissa and Michael, D’Amelio, Toms River and Amanda and Michael Ferriole, Jackson Township; nine great grandchildren, Amy and T.J. Freeman, Bryan Anderson, Victoria and Patrick Wagner, Jenna, Michael, and Joseph D’Amelio, and Michael Ferriole; and a great great grandson, Wyatt Freeman. Visiting will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. and Sunday from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold on Monday at 10:00 A.M. followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 or the Juvenile Diabetes Association, 740 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702.