Stephen P. Conte Sr.

CONTE Stephen P., Sr., 73, of Fair Lawn, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, August 24, 2007, ending a valiant nine year struggle with renal failure during which time he made many friends among the patients and staff at Johnson Hall Dialysis Unit at HUMC. Steve was a caring, selfless and unassuming person, a transparently Good Man who saw life in black and white with no shades of gray. Born in Jersey City, he was a resident of Elmwood Park until moving to Fair Lawn eight years ago. Stephen was the owner and manager of the Patrick J. Conte Funeral Home, Inc., a business founded by his parents in 1942. He started by answering the business phone at age eight, was licensed in 1952 and continued active until last week. He was a parishioner of St. Leo's R.C. Church, Elmwood Park where he was past president of the Holy Name Society, past president of the Parish Council, 1st president of the Home School Association and a member of the CURSILLO group. He was also member of the IAPC, the Independent Social Club and a founding member of the Elmwood Park Elks Lodge #60, Bergen County Funeral Directors Ass'n. and the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Ass'n. He was past president and Board Trustee of the Elmwood Park Free Public Library and past president of the Elmwood Park Chamber of Commerce. Beloved husband of 52 years to Angela (nee Garofalo), loving father of Ms. Lisa Ann Schlett of Elmwood Park, Mrs. Andrea DiChiaro and her husband, Anthony of Spring Hill, Fla. and Mrs. Cara Cartalemi and her husband, Robert of Fair Lawn and Stephen P., Jr. and his wife, Maria of Fair Lawn, devoted grandfather of Carisa, Alyssa, Robert, Stephanie, Emily and Stephen and dear brother of the Hon. John A., retired Bergen Co. Superior Court Judge, and his wife, Lucille of Mahwah and Dr. Patrick J., Jr. and his wife, Letty of Roseland. Funeral 9 AM Wednesday from the Patrick J. Conte Funeral Home, Inc., 274 Market St., Elmwood Park. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM at St. Leo's R.C. Church, Elmwood Park. Entombment Calvary Cemetery, Paterson. Visiting Monday and Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. It would be greatly appreciated if in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Leo's R.C. Church, 324 Market St., Elmwood Park, N.J. 07407.