Obituary of William Stefancik
William Stefancik, age 90, longtime resident of Morris Plains, NJ peacefully passed away on Friday, October 3, 2025, in Denville, NJ with his family by his side.
William, (or “Bill” as he was commonly known) was born on February 6,1935 in Passaic, NJ to Michael and Mary Stefancik. He was the youngest of two children. He was raised in Passaic’s Russian Orthodox community, where he developed his inclination for learning languages and appreciation of different foods and cultures.
Bill graduated from Garfield High School in June 1952. He graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in June 1956 with a BS. Utilizing a National Science Foundation grant he pursued and obtained an MS in Mathematics in 1969 from Boston College.
Bill honorably served his country in the US Army from 1956 - 1958 as a clerk at the U.S. Army Hospital in Calabrone, Italy and later at Camp Darby near Livorno, Italy, achieving the rank of Specialist 4. Although he claimed to be unable to see the target, he received an Expert marksmanship badge. He felt it was due to someone down range helping him out or playing a joke on him. During his service he made 3 life-long friends calling themselves the "Road Runners." While serving in Italy, he developed a love for its culture, cuisine, and language. He would speak Italian or Russian whenever the opportunities presented themselves.
Bill started his career in teaching in 1959 with the Hanover Township Public School District. Taught in Fair Lawn, NJ from 1961 - 1962 where he met a fellow teacher and his future wife, Virginia Sands. He then returned to the Hanover Township Public School District as a teacher and supervisor of Math and Computers at the Memorial Junior School until retiring in 1999. After retiring from teaching, he took a part time job at the Pinch Brook Golf Course as a Starter, where he enjoyed connecting with past students and friends.
On April 18th, 1964, Bill and Virginia married. They honeymooned in Bermuda where he was said to have crashed a Vespa scooter with no serious consequences. Together, they had 2 sons, Gregg and Brian. The family settled in Morris Plains, NJ in 1969 where Bill and Virginia lived until 2019. Prior to settling down in Morris Plains, the couple lived in apartments in Wayne, Boston and Parsippany.
Bill shared an active social life with his wife, Virginia, playing tennis, golf, and bridge, and shared a love of cooking and hosting with their group of friends. He stayed physically active throughout his adult life, lifting weights at home and jogging. He had no fear of technology and would embrace it, adopting email, texts, and social media readily. In the mid-1970’s, as personal computers were being introduced, he saw that they would change the world. In the face of resistance from the Superintendent of Schools, Bill advocated for the purchase of TRS-80’s personal computers for the Memorial Junior School and prevailed. He enjoyed playing games with friends and family until his passing. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains and served as a church elder. He enjoyed being a grandfather, sharing his love of fishing and golfing and attending hockey and track meets.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sister Margaret Kulik. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend of 61 years, Virginia; his sons, Gregg (Ann) and Brian (Kara); his grandchildren, Andy and Adam; as well as his many friends, relatives, and students.
A Celebration of the Life and Resurrection for William Stefancik will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains, 400 Speedwell Ave, Morris Plains, NJ on Saturday November 8th, 2025, at 11am.
The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at The Oaks, especially the head nurse in assisted living, Kisha Brown, for their care and compassion.
Arrangements are under the care of Dangler Funeral Home, Morris Plains, NJ.