It is with great sadness that we note the passing of a dedicated member of The Asbury Park Historical Society, without whom so many of our organization’s accomplishments would never have been possible. As the longest-serving trustee on our board, MARY DAMATO played a major role in helping the Society transition from a “homeless” group of local history buffs, to an active and engaged presence in the Asbury Park community.

The Newark native became a resident of Asbury Park in 1984, during a time when many people had begun to write off our city's future. But like so many others, Mary saw a way forward through the appreciation of the rich and colorful history of her new home…and when the call went out for volunteers in the fledgling Historical Society, Mary brought her years of experience in the banking business to the table, serving with distinction as Treasurer for more than 15 years.