Obituary of Stephen Fisco

Stephen "Shef" Fisco, 97, of Fords, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy. He was born in Keasbey and had resided on Dahl Ave. for eighty-two years before moving to Fords in 2001. Shef retired after forty years as a federal employee, first as a Master Automotive Mechanic at the Army's Raritan Arsenal in Edison and then a talented Electronic Technician at the US Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck. He was a good, decent and hard-working man with a fun-loving personality. He was blessed with a God given talent for fixing anything from cars to radios to TVs, and any type of motor or appliance. In his long life, he never stopped learning, teaching or helping those less fortunate including total strangers stranded by the wayside. He was clear minded to the end and was always working on projects around the house, or assisting friends who called for advice on how to repair anything. His life was one of service to his country and his community. A US Army veteran of World War II, Sergeant Fisco served with the 29th Infantry Regiment in Iceland, England, France, Belgium and Germany. Shortly after the war ended, he chaired the committee that raised funds from the people of Keasbey and oversaw the building of the Keasbey War Memorial Monument at the foot of the Edison Bridge. For the rest of his life he beautified and maintained the monument grounds, and led the annual Memorial Day services. Mr. Fisco was honored by the NJ Legislature and Woodbridge Township for his dedication and service to the memory of our most valiant sons and daughters who paid the ultimate sacrifice. A Life Member of the Protection Fire Co. No. 1 of Keasbey, he was an active Volunteer Firefighter for over sixty years. He served as Keasbey Fire Chief in 1951-52. He was the Fire Company President for many years and the Fire Chaplain emeritus, affectionately known as "Monsignor" Fisco for his oratory skills at funerals and memorial services. He was a member of the United Exempts & the United Firemen's Relief Association of Keasbey, Fords and Hopelawn. He was also a Life Member of the Woodbridge Township Fire Officers Association and the New Jersey State Firemen's Association. He had a strong and deep faith in our Good Lord and was a parishioner of the St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church in Perth Amboy. He was predeceased by his wife of sixty-five years, Julie Soos Fisco, his parents Joseph and Barbara Fisco, his sister Julia Rosmos and his brothers; Joseph, John, Michael, Andrew and Albert. He is survived by his loving children; his daughter Dr. Julia Fisco Houfek and her husband Todd of Omaha, NE, his son Stephen Fisco and his wife Nancy of Edison; his sister-in-law Frances Fisco of Toms River; brother-in-law Joseph Soos of South Amboy, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 9:15 am Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at the Mitruska Funeral Home, 531 New Brunswick Ave. in Fords. Followed by a 10 am Service of Divine Liturgy in the St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church in Perth Amboy. Interment will follow in the St. Michael's Cemetery in Fords. Visitation hours will be held Monday from 3pm to 8pm with Parastas services beginning at 7pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or to the Protection Fire Co. No.1, 220 Smith Street. Keasbey, NJ 08832.