Steven Nathaniel Sprague

(Asbury Park Press)

STEVEN NATHANIEL SPRAGUE
AGE: 28 TOMS RIVER
Steven Nathaniel Sprague, 28, of Toms River, passed away Thursday, Oct. 16. Steven was born in Toms River and lived here most of his life. He attended Whiting School in Manchester, West Dover Elementary School, Toms River Intermediate North, and graduated from Toms River High School South in 1998. Steven was a championship swimmer in high school and worked as a lifeguard at Ortley Beach. After high school, he briefly attended Delaware Valley College in Pennsylvania, majoring in Landscape Design. For many years, Steven was the owner/operator of Steven N. Sprague Landscaping. He was passionate about working outdoors and always loved a good day of hard work. At the age of 12, he started his landscaping company. He used his bicycle, pulling his lawn mower and landscaping equipment on a trailer that he had built himself. Steven loved his family, he was so proud of his home, and adored his childhood sweetheart, Nicole, whom he married in 2006 after a courtship of more than ten years. Steven, an exceedingly kind person, was always appreciative of life's simple pleasures. He was known for his magnificent blue eyes, his infectious smile - and, of course, his frank and truthful responses to the irony and humor in life.
Steven is survived by his wife, Nicole Hibbs Sprague; and their seven-month-old daughter, Abigail Olivia, who was the light of his world. He is also survived by his father, Steven R. Sprague; his mother and stepfather, Maureen and Bruce Madden; his adoring sister, Taylor Madden; his loving sister and brother-in-law, Casey and Kevin Daniel; and his maternal grandmother, Violet G. Feeney. He was loved by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Susan Hibbs; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jamie and Brett Hardie, and Jacki and Kevin Bernick; and his grandmother-in-law, Estelle Linkenhoker. He is also survived by many, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and adoring friends. Steven also loved his dogs, and he and Nicole are the proud owners of Roxi, Rumi and Rali and the late Murphy.
The family will welcome relatives and friends and those who loved Steven from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St., Toms River. A Mass to celebrate Steve's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Church, Hooper Avenue, Toms River. In lieu of flowers, Abby's grandparents, Maureen, Bruce, Jim, Sue, and Steve are asking that donations be made to the Abigail Sprague Scholarship Fund and mailed to 74 Morgan Road, Toms River, NJ 08755.