Stephen Leonard Drop

Stephen Leonard Drop was born on August 4,1951 in Paterson, NJ at Saint Joseph's Hospital. Beloved Stephen passed peacefully into eternal slumber, at the age of 72, on July 20, 2024 in his home, surrounded by family, his sweet dog Ally and embraced in the love of multiple generations.

Stephen is predeceased by his father Michael Drop, mother Leona (Lanzer) Drop, grandfather Leonard Lanzer, grandmother Theresa Lanzer, and his grand nephew Frederick Wolf Pellerito. Stephen is survived by his twin sister Stephanie (Drop) Benfatti and her partner Jim Swomley, his niece Nicole Benfatti and her partner Rodney Coursey, his niece Danielle (Benfatti) Pellerito and her husband Matthew Pellerito, as well as his grand nieces Maelee Grace Pellerito and Josephine Leona Pellerito and grand nephew Huey Fox Pellerito.

Stephen's home was very special to him as it was built by his father and grandfather, so he decided to cherish and live in his childhood home, in Waldwick, NJ, for his entire life. Stephen graduated from Waldwick High School in 1969. He then went on to receive a Bachelor's of Art from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Textile Design. Stephen loved art; however his career brought him to selflessly helping others and he returned to college to obtain his Master's Degree in Public Health through Thomas Jefferson University and worked for the State of New Jersey as a Quality Assurance Expert for various youth and adult mental health programs.

If you knew Stephen, you knew how much he loved gardening and being surrounded by plants. His garden and handmade ponds were always something out of a Home and Gardens magazine because of the love and care he put into it. Later in life, Stephen decided to become a Certified Master Gardener and he completed this through Rutgers University. He was always eager to help others with their gardens and he sure did love his tomatoes.

Stephen loved animals and always made sure the wild birds had food and water and he loved and cherished his dogs. We like to envision his predeceased pups, Pearl, Cougar, Betty and Leo walking him home. He is survived by his dog, Ally, who will live out her days with her best friend, Thor and Stephen's dear friends and neighbors Glenn and Mary Schulhafer.

Stephen was also a Reiki Level 2 Practitioner and was a very humble, spiritual man and sent special prayers/reiki to his close friends and family daily. Stephen was a man who was never bored a single day in his life, he had so many interests and never got tired of learning something new. He truly appreciated the simplicity of this life and valued the little things. He was a guide, guardian, protector, faithful friend, incredible brother and loving uncle and lived his life full of meaning with great thought and care for the creatures and people around him.

He will be forever missed. Until we see you again, "buddy".

If you would like to honor Stephen in some way donations can be made to the Souls of Sato Rescue where his sweet Ally was rescued from. Also, Stephen did not want formal funeral services, therefore a celebration of life will be held in or near Waldwick sometime in September. Further details to follow.