Steven Wilhelm Ruzicka, age 90, recently of Middletown, New Jersey, formerly of Little Silver, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024.
Steven was born (1933) in Long Branch, New Jersey. Having lived in Red Bank, New Jersey most of his life and graduating from Red Bank High School in 1952, Steven was proud of his Red Bank roots as his family settled in Red Bank in the early 1900’s. Steven then married the love of his life, Barbara Brooks-Ruzicka, also of Red Bank in 1957. Their love story lasted 66 years until Barbara’s passing in 2023. Steven spent two years in the US Army, was a member of the Little Silver Volunteer Fire Department for many years, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Red Bank and the Year Round Sportsman’s Club. His love for the outdoors and passion for hunting and fishing were his great joys.
He is predeceased by his parents Stephen R. Ruzicka (’77) Emma M. Schwanemann-Ruzicka (’88), sister, Emily Easton (’09). Steven is survived by his 3 children Lisa A. Colmain (Husband Edward), Deirdre J. Rice (Husband Todd) and Laura J. Scalzo (Husband Louis), 6 grandchildren, Christopher and Cooper Colmain, Megan and Zachary Rice, Alyssa and Nicole Scalzo and 4 great-grandchildren, Johanna, Emma and Maverick Contreras (Megan) and Declan Rice (Zachary) and sister Helen Thomas of Fair Haven along with her children Trevor and Stephen.
Steven had a career with Prown’s of Red Bank for 47 years and was fondly referred to as “the man with the pipe.” After retiring, he and Barbara travelled the world together.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 18th from 4-7 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 19th at 11 am at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown, NJ.
The family would like to thank Brighton Gardens of Middletown and Embracing Hospice Care, Wall New Jersey for their most compassionate care during this most difficult time.
