Steven O. Sharpe

Branchburg, NJ

Steven O. Sharpe, 78, of Branchburg, NJ, died on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at his residence. While he was born in Columbus GA, Steve was raised in Elizabeth NJ, started his family in Roselle NJ and later resided in Branchburg NJ.

Upon being drafted and serving our country in Vietnam as part of the Army's 25th Infantry (WolfHounds), he was chosen and trained to be a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery, Washington DC. After being honorably discharged from the US Army he married Maureen, his wife of 53 years. After receiving a Bachelor's degree from Upsala College (now Kean University), Steve worked in sales and trucking logistics, primarily for Consolidated Freightways.

Aside from working and serving our country, Steve loved his family dearly. Anything his grandchildren were involved in, he wanted to be part of. When it came to storytelling, Steve could draw silence from the most rowdy group of listeners. His way of communicating memories made people see, feel & hear his experience. His family was the reason for getting up each and every day. Steve was a strong athlete who cheered on his kids & grandkids in all activities. As a younger man, he enjoyed bowling, badminton, softball…anything his friends were playing.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bertha and James Sharpe, who gave him the name Oliver Stevenson Sharpe—though to everyone, he was simply "Steve." That little-known fact didn't come to light until he reported for duty with the U.S. Army.

Surviving are his loving wife, Maureen (Gillespie) Sharpe, his daughter Erin and husband Mike Colarusso of Boonton, NJ; his sons Steve and wife Katie Sharpe of Bridgewater, NJ; Peter and wife Lois of Hillsborough, NJ; his brother John and wife Ginger Sharpe of South Carolina; his sister Delores and husband Ralph Hartman of North Carolina, and 9 cherished grandchildren: Aileen, Laura, Vincent, James, Max, Emily, Connor, Johnny, and Tyler.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 from 3-7pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Rt. 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876.

A Catholic Mass will take place on Wednesday, April, 2, 2025 at 11am at Immaculate Conception RC Church, 35 Mountain Ave, Somerville, NJ 08876. (Friends & family are welcome to convene at the funeral home at 9:45am for a prayer session & procession to Church.) Committal is private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/.