Stephen Mitchel Kaplan

Stephen M. Kaplan passed into eternity on August 4, 2025. Born in the Bronx, NY, he married Linda (nee-Zar) and raised their family in Parsippany, NJ, eventually becoming snow-birds and then settling permanently in Las Vegas, NV. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from New Jersey Institute of Technology and always said he lived in a house of Masters (pushing Linda and Deborah to earn their Master's Degrees). Steve was a loving husband, father, uncle and an incredibly generous person. He was risen to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason as a Freemason with F.&A.M. Colonial Prospect, Lodge #24 Chester, New Jersey and a member of Elks organization, both for over 50 years. He helped build the skyscrapers in New York City – including the World Trade Center and US Customs Building, later becoming the Construction Official/Zoning Officer for Hanover, Mine Hill & Parsippany for over 35 years before retiring. Steve enjoyed photography and traveling, visiting 49 states, 10 European & 6 Caribbean Countries and Canada almost coast to coast. He loved making you laugh, telling you a joke and making you feel at ease, no matter the situation. Steve was magnanimous and sagacious, however always fashionably late. He also loved playing poker, and later also picked up Hand & Foot. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years. Survivors include his daughter, Deborah, son in law, James, his son, David, his sister Iris; and also survived by many other dear family members. A service followed by brunch will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025 starting at 10 am at the St. John's Masonic Lodge (280 Boulevard, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046). Followed by laying him to rest at Cedar Park Cemetery. Stephen's family kindly requests, in lieu of flowers, to send donations to the Allegro School, 60 East Hanover Ave, Building A, Morris Plains NJ 07950 in his name (for his son).