Robert W. “Bob” Stefanski Sr., 84, of Middletown, passed away at home April 16, 2023. He was born in Newark and raised in Keansburg. He worked summers on the Keansburg boardwalk, served as an altar boy at St. Ann’s Church, and was a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 105.
After the untimely death of his father in 1954, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1955, serving with VS 36 in Norfolk, Virginia, and then with ZP3 at Lakehurst NAS aboard U.S. Navy airships. He was the last known survivor of the ZPG-2 Airship 135448 (KC-5) crash into Hangar 3 May 14, 1959.
He married the love of his life Eleanore in 1959 and settled in Middletown in 1961. He enjoyed a long career in the sheet metal manufacturing field beginning at Electronic Associates Inc. (EAI) in West Long Branch while also attending evening courses in mechanical engineering and drafting at Rutgers. In 1966, he started his own company, Monmouth Metal Products, in Highlands. The company expanded to two larger facilities in Atlantic Highlands thru 1978. After a semi-retirement and exploring real estate development in South Florida, he returned to the manufacturing sector. He held executive positions with Montana Metals in Florida; Frequency Engineering, Howell; Alexander Proudfoot in Chicago; Atlantic Metal Products, Springfield; and ultimately returned to EAI, retiring in 1993.
His love of flying pushed him to secure his pilot’s license and he enjoyed flying his Piper Aircraft out of the former Marlboro Airport for business and pleasure. He also enjoyed travel ice hockey with his son and, later, his grandsons. He served as a coach with the Shore Point Sharks and Monmouth Hawks, as well as a referee with AHAUS (now USA Hockey) and the NJYHL.
Robert was an avid golfer and an early member of the Bamm Hollow Country Club.
He was a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, CBA Fathers’ Club, and the Lakehurst NAS Historical Society.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife Eleanore (Robe) Stefanski in 2008; his parents, Edward Albert and Margaret Jean Stefanski; brother John Wayne Stefanski; sister Virginia Johnson; brother James Stefanski; and brother and sister-in-law, Joseph P. and Charlotte Robe.
Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Robert William Jr. and Stacey (Lee) of Port Monmouth; three grandsons, Robert William III of Asheville, North Carolina, Andrew Joseph of Boston, Massachusetts, and Brian Christopher, a rising senior at Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Barbara of Pennsylvania and Victoria of Georgia, along with many nieces and nephews.
The Stefanski family would like to express thanks and gratitude to the team from Vitas Hospice, especially Kerry, Jeanette, Aubrey and Rose. In addition, special thanks to his home aides, Janet and Don, who became part of the family during his final journey.
Visitation was held April 21 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral Mass was offered April 22 at St. Catherine’s Church, Middletown. Entombment followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Robert’s name to Monmouth Council Boy Scouts of America, Quail Hill Campership Fund, 105 Ginesi Drive, Marlboro, NJ 07751; Christian Brothers Academy, The Academy Fund, 850 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738; or Middletown Township PBA Local #124, P.O. Box 222, Middletown, NJ 07748.
Arrangements are under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.
The article originally appeared in the May 4 – 10, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
