Stephen Anthony Chervenyak Jr. died October 30, 1988. He was on duty at the races and was struck by a race car at the Flemington Speedway. Stephen was born January 7, 1950, to Stephen Anthony Chervenyak Sr. and Edna Chervenyak in Somerville, New Jersey and lived all his life in Whitehouse, New Jersey. He was the oldest of five children. He had three sisters, Mary, Cathy, and Theresa, and one brother, Michael.

Stephen worked at Ryland Inn and Durling Farms and was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Whitehouse Station. Stephen loved the outdoors. He enjoyed biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, and hunting. He was a lifetime member of the NRA.

Stephen was very active in the East Whitehouse Fire Department, serving as assistant chief in 1976-77 and fire chief in 1978-80 and from 1987 until his death. He was an exempt fireman with the Readington Township Exempt Firemen’s Association. Stephen was also a member of the Hunterdon County Fire Chiefs Association. He took great pride in being among the first responders. We are grateful for them all.

Stephen was a kind and loving man. He was well loved and respected by all who knew him. I believe that if he were here now he would say that having a family was his greatest accomplishment. His parents were great role models of what a good spouse and parent could be, and he didn’t take that lightly.

He married Virginia Grecco on September 26, 1982, and they have three children, Stephen Anthony III, Angela Rita, and Jason Michael. Stephen spent a lot of time with his family. He loved taking his children to the fire station to see the trucks and to show them off. He was a proud Daddy. He called them his precious cargo.

Stephen knew how to make his loved ones feel special. He knew my favorite meal was steak, spinach, and mushrooms. Stephen was not one to cook, but every year on my birthday he cooked that meal for me. He knew my favorite flowers were lilacs, and he made sure I was given lilacs every year on Mother’s Day since I was pregnant with our firstborn, Stephen, until his last time handing them to me when Stephen was 4, Angela 2, and Jason only 2 months. That memory will be engraved in my heart and mind forever. Another favorite time of mine was when Stephen came home from work and would sit on the floor and be snuggling with all three kids in record time.

Stephen was a fine man, a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, and firefighter. He is missed, but never forgotten. We love you, Stephen Anthony Chervenyak Jr.