John N. Stevens

John Nash Stevens passed away Saturday February 11, 2017. He was born in Massachusetts on October 9, 1919. He grew up in Great Notch, NJ then raised his family with his wife Phyllis Kinsey Stevens in Verona, NJ. They then retired to Long Beach Island and later settled in Pheasant Run section of Forked River before moving to Seabrook Village in Tinton Falls, NJ. John graduated from Montclair High school and joined his father in the Insurance business in 1937. He left his father in 1939 to work for the Home Insurance Company in NYC and attended night classes at NYU. He was drafted into the Army in April 1941 and served for 4 ½ years. He was stationed at Camp Roberts in California in the 181st Field Artillery Band and hereafter in the south Pacific with the American Division Band. Mr. Stevens and his brother William, owned and operated Russell E. Stevens & Company Agency in Bloomfield when their father Russell E. Stevens, who founded the agency in 1935 retired. John was a charter member and first Commandeer of the Passaic Valley Memorial Post Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was charter member of the Bloomfield Rotary Club of Little Falls and president of the Bloomfield Rotary Club (twice). He was president of the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and member of the Board of Trustees of Bloomfield College. John was president of the Essex County Insurance Agents Association and president of the New Jersey State Association of Insurance Agents. John was a member of the Forked River Presbyterian Church and was active in the Pheasant Run Homeowners Association, having served as Trustee, Chairman of Covenants and of the Budget Committees and as insurance advisor. Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Phyllis Stevens, two sons and one daughter. Rick Stevens and his wife Carol of Forked River, Mark Stevens and Deb Mears of West Townshend, Vermont and Ann Kays and her husband Jeff Kays of Succasunna, NJ. John also leaves behind one sister Mary Sexton of Edmunds WA and 10 Grandchildren and 6 Great Grand Children. The family would like to thank all the caregivers and friends who have been so helpful. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.jerseyshorecremation.com. Donations may be made in John’s honor to The Forked River Ambulance Squad, 98 Oak Street, Forked River, NJ 08731.