Retano, Stephen Paul of Emerson, age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2008 while at Pine Rest Nursing Home in Paramus. Born in Wyoming, PA in 1926 Mr. Retano was raised in Union City, New Jersey. Steve was the youngest child of Catherine Zara and Stephen Retano and is pre-deceased by his siblings. As a young man he served his country in the United States Army during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1944. Mr. Retano lived in Ridgefield Park before moving to Emerson in 1959.
He was a loving and devoted husband for over 60 years. Mr. Retano is survived by his beloved wife Margaret, his two children, daughter, Paulette Adams of Hillsborough NJ, son, Steven H. Retano of Coeur d’Alene, ID and their families. Son-in-law, Alan Adams,daughter-in-law, Patricia Retano, grandchildren, Chris Adams and his wife Lauri of Philadelphia, PA, Paul Adams and his wife Marijah of Piscataway, NJ & Amanda Adams and fiancé Adam Abramowitz of Bethesda MD, Tony Retano and Katie Retano of Coeur d’Alene, ID and one great grandson, Aidan Adams of Piscataway, NJ. He was so very proud of all his grandchildren. They all brought him such great love and joy. Mr. Retano worked most of his life as a stainless steel polisher with Braun Equipment Company before retiring. It was always so amazing to discover the many useful household tools and the lovely artwork he fashioned out of stainless steel. Mr. Retano also loved gardening, and he was able to fix just about anything that needed fixing. He was a good friend, a helpful and caring neighbor. He never met a stranger and always made a friend. Mr. Retano was a faithful member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in River Edge, NJ and enjoyed attending services there while he was physically able. Visitation will be at Volk Leber Funeral Home, 282 Kinderkermack Road, Oradell, NJ 07649 on Friday, September 5, 2008 from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 PM. A service will be conducted at the funeral home on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 10:00 AM. Internment at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus will be private, at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s memory may be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 925 Fifth Ave, River Edge, New Jersey, 07661.