Roy William Bampton, 84, passed away July 7, 2023, in Morristown. Roy was born and raised in Southampton, England. He was a British Merchant Mariner who traveled the world working for the Union-Castle, Furness Withy, and Cunard passenger ship lines. He met his future wife while she was cruising on the Queen of Bermuda and soon after relocated to Red Bank where they married and raised their daughter Debra.
Roy retired from J.F. Kiley Construction Company as a foreman in 1986. He was a dedicated and long-standing member of the Red Bank Fire Department, Union Hose Company No. 1, and the Red Bank First Aid and Rescue Squad, having served as captain of both organizations. He was also the founding member and former captain of the Red Bank Fire Department Scuba Team.
Roy was an avid tropical fish and koi hobbyist who kept discus and angel fish and built several koi ponds in his backyard. He enjoyed relaxing on his deck with his wife and watching his fish. He was a member of the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club.
After his wife passed away, Roy moved to Morristown to be close to his daughter and her family. Roy exuded warmth and kindness and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by many.
Roy was predeceased by his parents, Joseph William Bampton and Sheila Corbidge Bampton, his stepmother Edith Holly Bampton, and his beloved wife of 51 years, Theresa Borelli-Benenati Bampton, whom he affectionally called Terry.
Surviving are his daughter Debra Bampton and her husband Steven Bosacki of Morristown, his granddaughter Emma Bosacki, and his sister Sandra Lowe.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. July 13 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. July 14 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 121 Bridge Ave., Red Bank. The interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Adler Aphasia Center, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052.
The article originally appeared in the July 13 – 19, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
