Stephen Surico, 71, beloved husband of the late Sandra Abouzeid Surico, passed away at their home in Little Silver July 21, 2022, in the loving care of his granddaughter Lucia Abouzeid and her partner Josh Kim. Although he had no children of his own, he was cherished as a father and grandfather to the many members of his extended family and will be deeply missed by all.
He was born in Italy and grew up in Syosset, New York, with his brother John and sister Margo. He was a professional electrician and loved to tell stories of the grand buildings in New York City that he helped to wire.
Stephen’s passion, however, was art. He was an accomplished sculptor and painter and an avid art historian. He credited his high school art teacher with encouraging him to pursue what turned out to be a life-long journey of creativity that touched everyone who met him.
He married Sandra in 1999, and they spent many happy years traveling the world and doting on their grandchildren before she passed away in 2015. They lived in West Palm Beach, Florida, and in Quechee, Vermont, before moving to Little Silver to be closer to family.
Stephen’s world revolved around Sandra; they rarely spent a day apart. He was very grateful to Stephy’s Place in Red Bank for helping him manage his grief upon the loss of his wife and dear companion.
He and Sandra founded the Voices of Wellness in West Palm Beach, an outreach program anchored in spirituality and focused on the addiction recovery movement. Stephen was not religious, but he was very spiritual. One of Stephen’s projects was a children’s book he wrote called “The One-Winged Angel” about a boy who goes to Heaven to get his missing wing.
His grandchildren grew up affectionately calling him “Bear.” They looked forward to joining him and Sandra in Vermont every summer for two weeks of “Camp Bear” during which Stephen led them in art projects and explorations of spirituality and of the great outdoors.
Stephen is survived by his stepchildren, Pamela Lister of Fair Haven, Mandy and Donald Galante of Little Silver, Chris Abouzeid and Kathy Crowley of Belmont, Massachusetts, and Mark Abouzeid and Sophie Beer of Italy; as well as 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his brother John Surico, his sister Margo Mazzeo, and his nieces Melissa McCrum and Dee and Jean Surico.
He will be celebrated in a private family memorial. The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Stephen’s name to Stephy’s Place at stephysplace.org.
Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the August 4 – 10, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
