Stephen Mark Brodsky

Stephen Mark Brodsky, son of the late William and Florence (Bratt) Brodsky, passed away on Saturday, April 20, in Livingston, New Jersey from complications related to pneumonia. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Grace (Rosenberg) Brodsky, beloved children Marc (Jill) and Lisa (Ryan), cherished grandchildren Maddie Brodsky and Max Hipscher, and brother Ed Brodsky (Carol). He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.

Steve was born in Bronx, New York, December 22, 1943. He graduated from Taft High School and attended the Baruch School of Business at CCNY. He served in the Army National Guard and was stationed at Fort Dix, NJ, and Fort Bending, GA. His path took him West to sunny Southern California, where he met Grace. They were married in 1966.

His distinguished career in sales began as a trainee with Wrangler Jeans, where he quickly rose to the position of West Coast Regional Sales Representative. In 1980, he was promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Men’s Division and the family relocated to Florham Park, NJ, where he served for six years on the local school board. In 1986, Steve decided to leave the corporate world and strike out on his own. He and Grace became Area Franchise Developers for Mail Boxes, Etc, which later became The UPS Store. After opening 118 locations in New Jersey and Long Island, they sold their business to UPS and retired to Surprise, Arizona.

Steve remained active in retirement, serving for six years on the Architectural Review Committee in his community. He also took up golf, but found his passion when he joined the Grand Glass Arts Club, where he remained an active member for seventeen years (three as its president). He was also on the Kiln Committee and taught many classes on fusing glass. As a juried artist, he won First Prize at the Arizona State Fair and received national recognition for a number of his pieces.

In the Fall of 2023, Grace and Steve moved to Spring Hills in Livingston, NJ, where Steve quickly became a friend to both residents and staff. He will be remembered most for his kindness, his sense of humor, his enduring wit, his smile, and his everlasting love of Max and Maddie. His interest in every aspect of their lives knew no bounds. Whether it was the details of Max’s basketball games or Maddie’s latest artworks, he could never get enough. He will be sorely missed by those who had the privilege of knowing him.

The family will be receiving guests for Stephen on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 10:15 AM to 10:45 AM at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, New Jersey 07039, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Cedar Park Cemetery, Forrest Avenue, Paramas, New Jersey 07652.