Stephan H. Secol passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday afternoon, July 2, 2024. He was less than two months shy of his 90th birthday.

Steve was an only child born and raised in Brooklyn by loving parents, Kitty and Milton “Pop” Secol, but since the age of nine months, spent every summer at the Jersey Shore, eventually moving here after attending Lycoming College at the age of 21. That summer, as a lifeguard at Loch Arbour beach, he met Dorothy, who would become his beloved wife of nearly 65 years.

Steve opened the first automatic carwash at the Jersey Shore and a started a small chain of women’s dress shops called Pic-a -Dress. His career remained in the fashion industry as he shifted into wholesale women’s footwear as the 4th generation in his family to be in the footwear industry where he worked along side his father. He also opened 3 women’s footwear stores called Kit’s Korner, which was named for his mother who managed them.

He and Dorothy raised their daughter, Steffanie, and son, Geoffrey, in Ocean Township and were part owners of the former Elberon Surf Club. They then spent every summer at Breakwater Beach Club, where Steve was a fixture and friendly face at his cabana. Winter vacations in Ixtapa, Mexico and winter weekends at their home in the Poconos, where they skied and enjoyed family happy hours were a special part of Steve’s life. An avid sports fan of all sports and many teams, his beloved Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts were his favorites, along with the NY Giants, Rangers, Knicks & St. John’s Red Storm.

He was also a collector of watches, stamps, pens, model trains and coins, yet his collection of special times spent with family and friends surpassed any material possessions. His four grandchildren made him especially happy, too. Steve was a real people person and was known for that beautiful head of hair and the smile he wore for everyone. Steve’s life was one well-lived, and lived by his terms. He worked hard, played hard and he will be missed terribly by all who were lucky enough to know him.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy Secol, daughter Steffanie Secol Bronstein and husband Erik Bronstein, son Geoffrey Secol and wife Jamie Secol, grandchildren Jonathan Naiberg and wife Carolyn Lacroix, Morgan Naiberg, Evan Naiberg, Raven Secol and sister-in-law Susan Wechsler.

The funeral will be held Friday, July 5th at 11 am at Congregation Torat El at 301 Monmouth Rd in Oakhurst. Shiva will be held at the home of Dorothy Secol at 3 Boxwood Drive in Cedar Village in Ocean on Friday afternoon after the burial, then again on Saturday at 9:00pm and Sunday and Monday from 2-4 pm and 7 pm. Donations in Steve’s memory can be sent to The Jackie Robinson Foundation (https://jackierobinson.org/)