Dr. Gerald Anthony Stefanski entered eternal life on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at the age of 86.

Gerald ("Jerry") Stefanski, proud of his Polish heritage, was a talented accordion player who as a young adult played the southern NJ Polka circuit in a band named The Melody Makers. He enjoyed music of many different genres including polka, country, classical, and opera. Along with his love for music, Jerry enjoyed attending theater productions, both on and off Broadway.

Jerry maintained an active lifestyle on the tennis court and skiing in the mountains of Colorado and Vermont. He traveled extensively throughout Europe with his wife Marliese and their children. He enjoyed photography and left a treasured collection of photo albums and home movies for his family to enjoy for years to come. In retirement he expanded his journeys to the other continents with destinations in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, New Zealand, Japan and China (to name a few).

Born and raised in South Amboy, NJ, Jerry was deeply devoted to the Roman Catholic faith, as well as passionate about education and teaching. He fulfilled the duties of altar server and graduated from elementary school at South Amboy's Sacred Heart Parish. He went on to graduate from South Amboy's St. Mary's High School, followed by Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

In 1962, Jerry began his teaching career as an English and Social Studies teacher at War Memorial High School in Sayreville, NJ, while simultaneously earning a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision from Rutgers University in 1968. He then served as Department Chairperson at Keansburg High School, followed by Assistant Principal positions at Dunellen High School (1969) and Sayreville Junior High School (1970). Jerry and family moved to Bridgewater, NJ, and became long-time communicants of Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville, NJ. Jerry then returned to Dunellen as High School Principal from 1971-1974. In 1974, Jerry was appointed Superintendent of Dunellen Public Schools and served in this capacity for twenty-two years until his retirement in 1996. He earned a Doctorate Degree of Education in Administration and Supervision from Rutgers University in 1978.

Throughout his professional education career, Jerry was an active participant in local, state, and national organizations, maintaining many of these into retirement. He was a member and President of the Middlesex County Association of School Administrators, a lifetime member of the NJ Association of School Administrators, member of the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education Board of Directors and an Emeritus member of the American Association of School Administrators. He also belonged to the NJ Masters Club, the NJ Council of Education, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and also the two honorary education organizations Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa.

Since 1974, Jerry was an active member of the Dunellen-Green Brook Rotary Club, serving as a Board of Director, President, and Rotary District No. 751 Vocational Service Director. He was a recipient of the Paul Harris Award and also the Rotary District #751 Vocational Service Award. In addition to his notable service as Rotarian, Jerry served on the Dunellen Public Library Board of Trustees. He was a member and President of the Polish American Cultural Endeavors Association, the Polish University Club, and the Somerville Elks Lodge #1068.

Jerry is predeceased by his parents John J. Sr., and Helen V. (nee Polowczyk) Stefanski, his brother John J. Stefanski Jr., stepbrothers, Eugene and Walter Stefanski and granddaughter Maxine Schenkel. His wife and mother of his three daughters Maria Elizabeth (nee Marliese Junkenitz) Stefanski of Wurzburg, Germany passed away in 1987 after a year-long illness.

Jerry is survived by his daughters, Sabina Carinci of Point Pleasant, NJ; Andrea Stefanski of Phillipsburg, NJ; Krista Stefanski of Flemington, NJ and granddaughters Kelly E. Valentine and Emma M. Stefanski.

Funeral services will be coordinated by the Branchburg Funeral Home located at 910 Rt. 202 South, Branchburg, NJ, 08876. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 from 3pm-7pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville, NJ on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 10am. Entombment will follow at the St. Bernard's Mausoleum Cemetery in Bridgewater, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rotary International.