R-FH Patch People of the Year 2012

The year 2012 was a hectic one, though one filled with many special people who did some significant things, hit major milestones, or were just present in the community.

Remember these people? Let's take a look back ...

• Olympian Connor Jaeger, the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School alumni and Fair Haven resident got the community revved up when he made it to the 2012 Summer Olympic Trials.

We followed Jaeger through his Olympic journey, from finding all the signs of support around the area to cheering him on remotely as he swam his way into the Olympics and finally, to his homecoming parade.

• Longtime Fair Haven resident Ken Lockwood turned 90, after having lived in the borough for more than 80 years.

Ken had some special stories to tell about his life in Fair Haven and what and who he knew.

Not long after his 90th birthday, the Lockwood homestead was bulldozed to make way for a much larger, new home. Where have all the small homes gone? We looked into that issue.

• Fair Haven schools announced the appointment of a new principal for the Viola L. Sickles School — Susan Alston.

Alston hails from a long tenure in Rumson schools and Holmdel.

• People rushed over the bridge to help when Sea Bright was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Most of those volunteers were cooking or handing out supplies from the Food/Tent City that was created in a snap second after Sandy by Woody's Oceanfront Grille owner and Fair Haven resident Chris Wood.

Out of this effort, the non-profit organization, . Sea Bright Rising has collected more than $500,000 to date to aid Sandy victims.

grew up in Rumson, is a Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School graduate, and, as is tradition for those raised in the area,  spent much time in Sea Bright.

Having worked at Ichabod's when he was a teen, it was his dream to buy the place and call it Woody's. Woody's fared better than most businesses in Sea Bright from Sandy's wrath. So, Wood figured that in his better position, helping was the thing to do.

• Rumson resident and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School student Charlotte Nagy caused a good kind of stir when she did her own video documentary of Hurricane Sandy — before, during and after.

Nagy sent a tweet to the Train lead vocalist, who ended up making a special trip to Sea Bright for a concert to cheer up Sandy victims. And what a night it was.

• People were pleased when took the reins from retired Rumson Police Chief Richard Tobias. Paterson, a popular former police lieutenant in the borough, took his oath at the Rumson reorganization meeting on New Year's Day.

Until then, he was acting police chief for a few months.

• They called her the fabric of Fair Haven — Longtime Fair Haven resident and beloved daycare provider Kathy Dougherty.

Dougherty epitomized what it means to be a good neighbor. She died the day after Christmas from brain cancer. Many mourned her death. She took care of hundreds of area children over the years and worked very hard to help her community wherever and whenever she was needed.

She is sorely missed.

• resigned. Many accolades were heaped on Hoffmann for being ever present in the borough and a fixture at many events.

due to popular demand and the need for a transition period, until a permanent replacement can be found.

• Rumson Recreation Director John Hird retired. His last day was Dec. 31. Mayor John Ekdahl recounted some fond memories of Hird's tenure with the borough.

• And who could forget Alabama Power. The southern utility company lit up Fair Haven and surrounding towns, but really won Fair Havenites' hearts.

Residents cooked for them and honored them with many cheers, signs and a thank-you reception and proclamation reading. to go toward Sandy recovery in the area.

Is there someone on this list you think should be named R-FH Patch Person of the Year? Tell us in the comments section below.