Stephen P Smera

Stephen Paul Smera of Fairview, age 80, died after a brief illness on August 29, 2025.

With a kind and generous nature, "Big Steve," as he was known to his family, definitely had his own way of doing things. There was no one quite like him in the universe, and that is precisely what we loved about him. Not only did he march to the beat of his own drummer, but hummed along to a symphony in his own head. Steve was a lover of crossword puzzles and coming together with family. The heart and soul of every party, he was ready to greet with a smile and a big hug. Steve had a strong desire to fix what was broken, with his go-to tools being planning, patience, and duct tape.

Stephen was an alumnus of Dickinson High School, and native of Jersey City, NJ. He was a member of the National Guard from 1964 to 1970 and worked as a mechanic at the United States Postal Service's Bulk Center in Secaucus, NJ, helping all mail to be delivered to its destination. Now, at his final rest, he is reunited with his beloved son, Stephen Michael Smera, who left this world in May of 2019.

Survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia A. Smera (Fairview, NJ), daughters, Michele Silvey (Aledo, TX) and Donna Baker (Brooklyn, NY); sons-in-law, Charles Silvey and Sheldon Baker; grandchildren, Carter Silvey (Arlington MA), Callie Silvey (Aledo TX); Albert Baker and June Baker (Brooklyn NY); nephews Charles Pizzuta, and Michael Pizzuta (Parsippany NJ), and many extended family members.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Blackley Funeral Home, Ridgefield, NJ from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please share your remembrances of Steve with his family. The funeral will be held at St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 10:30 am. Interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National MS Society www.nationalmssociety.org.