Earl Francis Sutton, Sr.
Age 84* Little Egg Harbor
Earl Francis Sutton, Sr. (Skip), 84 of Little Egg Harbor, NJ passed away in Somers Point, NJ on November 17th, 2014. He was born April 20, 1930 in Scullville, NJ, graduated Pleasantville High School in 1947, served as a U.S. Army Corporal in Korea in 1950-1951 and was a retired Commercial Bank Executive. He began his career as a bank teller on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City after returning from Military Service. In 1955 he moved to Tuckerton, NJ and worked for First National Bank of Tuckerton. He was eventually promoted to Senior Vice President and worked in the area until 1972. At that time, he left the Tuckerton area to be the President and CEO of Citizens State Bank in Forked River, NJ, a position he held until 1982. In 1983 he began a family personnel consulting firm in Absecon, NJ which closed in 1984 after being destroyed by fire. He returned to banking again as President and CEO of Southern Ocean State Bank in Tuckerton, NJ in 1984. The bank was sold to BMJ holding company in 1988 and he remained in this position until 1994 at which time the bank was sold to Sun National Bank. He remained a Senior Executive at this bank until 1997 when he became the President and CEO of Shore Community Bank in Toms River, NJ. He retired in 1999 from Commercial Banking. He once again returned as the President and CEO in 2010 retiring after a six month tenure. He remained on the full Board of Directors until 2012 at which time he retired as Director Emeritus, and remained on the Bank Advisory Board until his passing.
He was active in Civic and Fraternal Organizations throughout Ocean County and the State of New Jersey as well as various banking organizations and trade groups. Earl remained active in many of them, including the following: Capital Campaign Chairman and Past Trustee of the Tuckerton Seaport, a Project of the Barnegat Bay Baymen’s Museum; An Exempt Fireman, NJ State Firemen’s Association, Tuckerton Fire Company Station #50 Treasurer and Collector for the Tuckerton Firemen’s Relief Association; Recipient of Art Schwerzel Good Scout Award in 1988, a Paul Harris Fellow, and operated in various capacities for the First United Methodist Church of Tuckerton. Past Treasurer for the local chapter of the Salvation Army; Building Chairman for the Tuckerton Library Association; Clerk of the Tuckerton Borough Board of Education for 10 years and Member of the Board for two years; Charter Member and one of the organizers of Southern Ocean Rotary Club, Manahawkin, NJ; Charter Member and organizer of Forked River Rotary Club, Forked River, NJ; President, Charter Member of Lacey Elks, Forked River, NJ; County Chairman 1980-1981 Ocean County United Way; Past Member and Past Executive Committee member of Atlantic and Ocean County Bankers Associations; Past Member of the Community Bankers committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; A Kentucky Colonel.
Earl served as presiding officer in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite bodies and was coroneted a 33rd Degree Mason in 1988; past Member and former Treasurer for Scottish Rite Children’s Learning Centers in NJ. Member Washington Association of Masons; Past Dad Advisor, Dr. William K. Mason Chapter Order of DeMolay, Tuckerton, NJ, member of the State advisory committee and honorary member of the Supreme Council of DeMolay. Past Member of the Executive Committee for Rainbow Girls in New Jersey; Past Master and Past Treasurer, Tuckerton Lodge #4 Free and Accepted Masons, Past Grand Master of Masons of the State of New Jersey in 1994, served the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of New Jersey in many capacities, including the post of Grand Treasurer from 1995 to 2010 and holds the title of Grand Treasurer Emeritus.
He is survived by his beloved Wife of 59 years, Elizabeth M. Sutton, his Daughter Deborah A. Allen, RN and husband James W. Allen, Jr. of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, his Daughter Cindy L. Loesch and husband Garrett K. Loesch of Little Egg Harbor, NJ and his son Earl F. Sutton, Jr. and Wife Ellen Vill Sutton of Little Egg Harbor, NJ. His Granddaughter Jenny Gleghorn and husband Thomas Gleghorn of Little Egg Harbor, NJ along with Great Grandsons and Hockey Teammates Thomas and Gavin Gleghorn. Grandson James W. Allen, III and Fiancée Brooke Goodman of Galloway Township, NJ, Granddaughter Nichole L. Loesch and her Fiancée Scott Heckelmann, of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, Granddaughter and expectant Mother of Twins Alyss N. Hess and husband Kurt Hess of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, Grandson Earl F. Sutton, III and friend Rikki Ryan, Granddaughter Ellen M. Stevenson and Husband Thomas Stevenson, III of Philadelphia, PA, Grandson Patrick J. Sutton of Little Egg Harbor, NJ. Brother Paul Byers and Wife Cathy Byers of Whiting, NJ, Sister, Dolores Young and Husband Huel Young of Pell City, AL, Sister-in-law, Eleanor Sutton of Absecon, NJ, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his Mother Ethel Brewin and Father Ernest Sutton. His Brother Ernest M. Sutton, Sister Emily Watson and Husband Leo “Jake” Watson, Sister Eileen Smith and Husband Lester Smith as well as Husband George Barrick.
A viewing will be held at the First United Methodist Church 126 North Green Street Tuckerton, NJ 08087 on Friday November 21st, 2014 from 11AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 9PM. There will be a Masonic Service at 8 PM.
A Funeral service will be held Saturday November 22, 2014 from 9AM to 11 AM at the First United Methodist Church with Internment following afterward in Bargaintown, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Earl & Liz Sutton Scholarship Fund, PO Box 933 Tuckerton, NJ 08087.