Obituary of Raymond Stefano

Raymond Stefano, 78, of Point Pleasant, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 21, 2010. Born and raised in Kearny, he lived there until 1972 when he moved to Wall, before moving to Point Pleasant in 1982. Raymond was a star defensive player for the Kearny High School Football Team during the team's better years in 1948 and 1949. He attended college in Tennessee and graduated from Farleigh-Dickinson. He was a member of Copestone-Ophir Lodge No. 108, F. & A.M. Raymond owned The Bright Spot Diner in Kearny for a number of years as well as Stefano's Restaurant, Nutley. Later he, along with his parents and brother, owned The Cow Barn Restaurant, Wall. After they retired from the business, Raymond went into the laundry, towels, and linen business. He was very good at what he did and got along great with a lot of his customers. Raymond enjoyed a good time, enjoyed telling jokes, and overall was just a great guy. Raymond was predeceased by his parents, John and Elvira (Romano) Stefano; his first wife, Teresa Balz Stefano; and by his stepson, Larry Benson. Surviving are his wife Barbara Benson Stefano; his son, Raymond and his girlfriend, Susan; his daughter, Sheila Tagliareni; his brother, Charles and his wife Linda; two grandchildren, Paul & Amanda Tagliareni. his step daughter in law, Lori Benson; his step son, Joseph Benson; and his step grandchildren, Jason, Bryan, Kevin, Joseph, and Brad Benson. Also surviving are his nieces and nephews, Charlene Gravelly, Michelle Springer, Stephen, Charles, J.C., Joseph, and Thomas Stefano. Relatives and friends may visit from 6 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 24, at the Pable - Evertz Funeral Home of Point Pleasant, 901 Beaver Dam Road. At 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 25, a service will be held at the funeral home with entombment following at Saint Catharine Cemetery, Sea Girt. For directions and online condolences visit www.pableevertzfuneralhome.com