Fun-Loving, Loyal, Warm And Kind: Toms River Motorcyclist Remembered

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Jeffrey S. Schlinger was known for his warmth and for his kindness, his loyalty, and for making those around him laugh.

The depth of his love for those close to him is what friends and family are remembering in the wake of his death last week in a motorcycle crash in Manchester.

Schlinger, 23, died Aug. 3 when a 2005 Nissan Murano pulled onto Route 37 into the path of the 2007 Yamaha motorcycle he was riding, authorities said. Schlinger was unable to avoid a collision and hit the rear passenger side door of the Nissan, authorities said. He was seriously injured in the crash and succumbed to his injuries at Community Medical Center in Toms River.

Yasmin Sanchez-Centeno, 22, of Toms River, is facing multiple charges including vehicular homicide in Schlinger's death. Authorities say Sanchez-Centeno, who did not have a license, fled the crash scene and was arrested later.

Schlinger was "the life of the party and the life of the family," Kyle Nolan, Schlinger's cousin, wrote on the memories portion of his obituary on the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home website. Services are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at the funeral home, 703 Main St., Toms River.

Schlinger, a graduate of Toms River High School North who had earned certifications in mechanical work from the Ocean County Vocational Technical School, had a lifelong passion for automotives and motorcycles. He was fulfilling that passion working as a mechanic at Mombo’s Discount Tire, and "had dreams of one day opening his own shop," his family wrote in his obituary.

He was spontaneous and fun-loving, and devoted and loyal to his friends and his family, they said.

"We will never forget your contagious giggles, that goofy language you and Matthew had, ‘midnight pie’ on West Virginia trips, Halloweens, and your warmth and kindness," friends Claire and Jeff Koerner wrote on the obituary. "How very, very lucky we all were to have you be a big part of our lives."

"You were an amazing young man and your family should be very proud," wrote Paul Dowdy, who wrote of Schlinger's patience when Dowdy's son "clearly pestered you for a week straight like a younger brother would."

"Jeff, your soul was pure and genuine. You never failed to make me laugh, you always tried the food I cooked and I’m so sad you’ll never be able to be my food critic like you wanted to be for my dream restaurant," Samantha Santeramo wrote on a GoFundMe campaign created to raise money to assist Schlinger's mother and sisters.

"I’m so glad you were there when I found out I was pregnant with Jack and so glad you held him and he would smile at you," she wrote. "I always told you, you’re the little brother I never had but always wanted. My prayers and condolences to your entire family and your mom, and amazing sisters you adored with your entire soul."

Mark Bradfield shared a story about accompanying Schlinger to pick up Schlinger's first motorcycle, a green Kawasaki 400 they called the "Green Hornet," and teaching Schlinger how to ride it.

"He kept looking too close psyching himself out and swerving and I said 'Look ahead, not up close," and he did and just started zooming around," Bradfield said. "He was such a smart amazing ray of light in this dark world. It gave me hope for the future. I will never forget him and always treasure the years we got to spend together."

Jalonie Robinson, who met Schlinger in classes at the vocational school, said, "Every day he came to class I knew at some point he was going have me cracking up. Whether it be his facial expressions or his jokes. When I left class and moved to Charlotte we didn’t keep close contact but I always checked up on him via Snapchat. I told him one day I would bring my motorcycle back to Jersey and we go for a ride. It hurts my heart that won’t happen now, but Jeff will ride with me in spirit and I know he’s up there riding worry-free and pain-free. #rideforjeff"

"We were so fortunate to have had Jeff a part of our lives," wrote Josephine and Frankie Foster and Dawn Santeramo. "We will never forget the kind heart, helping hand, and warmth he always brought to our home. We also will always remember the love he showed for our daughter and granddaughter Gianna. He will truly be missed."

Schlinger was predeceased by his father, Jeff Schlinger, who died in 2015; his grandfather, John "Jack" Schlinger, and stepgrandfather Rod Benedickson.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Schlinger, and her partner, Bill Hart; sisters Nicole, Erika and Julia Schlinger; grandparents Matthew and Margaret Doyle and Mary Anne Benedickson, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St. Toms River. The funeral service is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Those who would like to contribute to the GoFundMe can find information here.