02/18/2026
Mind boggling. I had always thought that I would be going from Buddies Restaurant & Banquet Hall to Sacred Heart cemetery, as those who came before me. But God apparently had a different plan. SO many memories of so many wonderful people and families that we were able to serve and work with throughout the four generations , will ALWAYS be in my head and heart.
Hindsight is always so perfectly clear. What was one of the biggest tragedies in my life , aside from losing my dad (44 y.o.)and brother (38 y.o.), became a blessing. The fire itself, was undetermined as to a cause by 3 state fire marshals and a forensic expert. So we figured it was God's Will. Then 6 months later, my mom got sick with congestive heart failure and was in and out of the hospital for over a year. The pandemic hit and our type of business was essentially shut down by Murphy for months. God gave me the last year and a half of my mom's life with her exclusively, to care for her. He gave me that space of peace and financial peace to care for her needs exclusively, with out having to run a business that had 3 busy departments, bar, restaurant and banquet hall. (Don't forget, I became the cook for the banquets after my brother, tragically died in 2009.) Then tragically, Alert Ambulance attendants dropped mom on her head at her front door on 3/31/20. She passed away 8 weeks later on June 3, 2020. She died alone, without her family by her side, in the hospital, thanks to Governor Phil Murphy. I will never get over that he kept me from my mom on her death bed.
My mother worked her ass off to keep that place. She was 40 when dad died and they were only 4 years into the mortgage when he died. She never remarried, she just wanted to live for her children and then grandchildren. In her later years, she ended up with 4 joint replacements and 4 TIA's. The bar business was not an easy road. Ralphie, my baby brother, everyone loved you. I love and miss you more than words can say. You are remembered for all the good times people had there under your care! You were taken from us too soon. Imagine, being driven out of town in the passenger side of your own car and left to die in Rutgers Village in your car. I will never get over that. The New Brunswick police did absolutely nothing to bring justice to your family and daughter.
Wayne Bebert , you made so many amazing changes with your business model. Jay Seyglinski, you're keen eye and redecorating ideas made Buddies look the best ever, inside and out! You had us kicking ass. Wayne, no matter what you do in life, you will be successful with your determination and drive and seeing things through! I am so proud of you in so many ways, son.
Kristy Rae, God gave you an amazing husband and a gorgeous baby to love. We, for a time, were all a part of something so awesome. But my biggest thrill in life are my grandchildren‼️🙏💕
Leanne Bailey , God gave you me, exclusively, uninterrupted by the business! 😁 🤣
Michael J Grau, our great friend, you believed in us for over a decade and brought us so many great nights with so many talented musicians. God bless you. Your heart and generosity are bigger than the world!
I miss and love you all. Take care of yourselves and each other 🙏 . Trust in God's Plan.
You can actually still sit at the bar and in the vintage phone booth, thanks to our amazing friends at The Sayreville Historical Society Museum, and Frank Terzino Sr., who surgically removed it, with such love and care , which is open on Sundays.
🙏God bless you and your families🙏
