Stephen Balashek Obituary

Stephen Balashek, 95, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at the Pine Acres Nursing Home, Madison, N.J., on Friday, July 20, 2012. Stephen was born in Clifton, N.J., but grew up in Irvington, N.J., and Newark, N.J. He graduated from N.J.I.T. with a B.A. in electrical engineering. He worked at Bell Labs for 49 years with speech recognition, among other projects. He was also a photographer. Stephen leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Alice Erickson Balashek; daughter, Lois Beverage of Mt. Holly, N.J.; son, Stephen C. and his wife, Billie Ann; two granddaughters, Jamie Balashek, and Stephanie and her husband, Greg Galbreath, and two great-grandchildren, Arion and Harli, all of Wyoming. There will be a private memorial service for friends and family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Stephen's name to the VNA of Somerset Hills, 200 Mt. Airy Rd., Basking Ridge, N.J., 07920 or to the Long Hill First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 145, Gillette, N.J. 07933. For more information, please contact the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home at (908) 766-0250 or to light an online condolence candle, visit our website, gcfuneralhome.com.