Obituary of Benjamin I. Stevens

Benjamin I. Stevens, business and family man, 81, of Bayville passed away peacefully on September 18, 2018. Ben was born in Newark and resided in Sayreville and at his present home in Bayville most of his life. He was a 1955 graduate of Seton Hall Prep School and earned a Bachelor of Science, and MBA in Management at Seton Hall University. Ben served as a Field Artillery Officer, First Lieutenant in the US Army until his discharge in 1962. His business career included management positions at Thomas & Betts, Johnson & Johnson, GPU Nuclear, and Crum & Forster Insurance Company. He continued to work in his retirement as a retail sales specialist. Ben’s hobbies included writing, oil painting, model building, and he was an avid fan of the N.J. Devils. He was also a published photographer and poet. He served his community in many capacities including PTA President, Little League coach and Executive Board member, President of the Widow and Widowers Organization., and co-founder of the Sayreville High School Baseball Booster Club. He had a lifelong appreciation for model railroading and was a member of several train collector associations. Ben was predeceased in childhood by his mother, Apolonia Szulczynski, and later by his father, Antoni Szulczynski, three brothers; John, Victor and Zen, as well as his beautiful and gregarious wife, Norma. He leaves behind his best friends in life, his children, daughter Suzanne Les and her husband Robert of New Hope, PA, and son Edward Stevens and his wife Stephanie of Freehold; and his grandchildren, “buddies” Michael Les, Nicholas Stevens, a Godson Andrew Les, and his beautiful granddaughter Isabella Stevens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Deborah Heart and Lung Center. Viewings will be Friday, September 21, 4 to 6 PM, and Saturday. September 22 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold followed by interment at New Calvary Cemetery, Parlin.