Gov. Murphy Honors Point Beach High Graduate Who Died Of COVID-19

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Music was always central to Frederick Makin. After graduating from Point Pleasant Beach High School, he found a way to make a living off of it.

For 38 years, "Rick" was an editorial entertainment editor at the Asbury Park Press.

"That the Point Pleasant (Beach) High and Bowdoin College grad would hold that title wasn't a surprise," Gov. Phil Murphy said on Monday as he paid tribute to Makin during his news conference.

Makin, a 1957 Point Pleasant Pleasant Beach High graduate, died on Dec. 27th due to complications of COVID-19, according to the Shore Point Funeral Home.

Murphy noted that Rick moonlighted as an actor and singer, performing in more than 50 musicals and plays at the Red Oak Music Theatre in Lakewood with Asbury Park's Premier Theatre Company, and at the First Avenue Playhouse in Highlands, among many other venues.

"Even in his retirement, music was central to his life as he directed the Keyport Senior Center Chorus and sang in the Tower Hill Church Choir in Red Bank," Murphy said.

Makin II, fondly known as "Rick," was a resident of Luftman Towers in Lincroft when he died, according to his obituary.

Rick was also director and advisory board member of Keyport Senior Center Chorus, and he was a member of the Tower Hill Church Choir in Red Bank, according to his obituary.

"Rick spent his life bringing enjoyment to audiences, (including) those he performed in front of and those he informed through the Asbury Park Press," Murphy said. "May God bless and watch over him, and may he be singing a show tune in Heaven."

Rick was predeceased by his parents, Evelyn Marston and George Makin, and stepmother, Irene.

Rick is survived by his wife, Corinne (Comparato) Makin; his children, son Bob Makin and wife, Alliene Lee, and daughters, Dr. Melissa Sannelli and husband, Tom, Lisa Knopf and husband, Jon, and Linnea Teetsel and husband, Gary; grandchildren, Matthew Makin and wife, Christina Lupo, Rebekah Makin and boyfriend, Aaron Warmbrand, Matt Ellenberg and wife, Julie, Daniel Ellenberg, Eli and Michael Sannelli, Lauren and Julia Kopf, and Ashleigh and Erika Teetsel; great-granddaughter, Piper Ellenberg, and former daughter-in-law, Cheryl Zitomer Makin.

Rick’s memorial service will be held at Tower Hill when the pandemic is over. In the meantime, donations in his memory can be made to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate, 800-478-5833, or P.O. Box 1893 Memphis, Tenn. 38101-9950