Stephen Williams

True self-made men are hard to find, but Steve was one. When his father's importing business, once thriving, was phasing out, Steve and his Dad bought the building that housed them and began leasing out space; then purchased a large, brick building on a prime building lot in downtown Newark that was destined for demolition and set upon the hard (and prescient) work of converting the multi-story factory into individual rental units. In the years that followed, his brother, Stacy, and then his son, Russ, and nephew, Tim joined the family business. Over 45 years as an industrial landlord, Steve weathered market downturns, tenant scarcity as well as boom times. Along the way, there was a parade of small businesses, including a used-car dealership, fine art storage, mattress maker, watch repair, soda distributor, kitchen countertop fabricator, art gallery and purveyor of exotic pets which called the buildings home. It was Steve's innate mechanical understanding and dogged determination that enabled the business to prosper.
Steve was a success in his personal life as well, from his toughness on the Ridgewood High School football field to his quiet engagement and low-key humor with friends. As a husband to Maureen, he was the rock who gave her the confidence to believe that, together, anything was possible and everything would always be okay. Together, they hosted lively costumed theme parties at their riverfront home, toured a pyramid in Egypt, the Colosseum in Italy, navigated cliffs on the wrong side of the street in Ireland and drove through the night on many road trips with the kids to visit friends in Florida over Easter. He was the captain of High Bid, the boat on which they enjoyed many summer adventures with their children and the Zilai family. He was thankful for each of his three children, Russ, Tara and Jenna, for the happiness they constantly brought him, the beautiful people they grew to become and for the accomplishments they have made in their lives. He appreciated their individual charms and skills and welcomed son-in-law Matt, daughter-in-law Sarah and son-in-law Trevor into his protective embrace. His six grandchildren, Gwendolyn, Bradley, Taylor, Everett, Courtney and Eliza, were gifts of joy and
provided abundant refrigerator artwork. He took special satisfaction in their learning to swim in his pool.
After a year-long battle with small-cell lung cancer, Steve passed away peacefully with Maureen at his side, just as she has been for their 48 years of marriage. He will be greatly missed and always remembered with love and admiration.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Fiore-Buckley Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.