Eugene Joseph Sterbenz

Eugene Joseph Sterbenz, 93, of Farmingdale, passed away on January 16, 2024, reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Anne, who passed away in 1994. Loving father of Stephen (Anna), Ronald (Patricia), John, and the late Christopher (Susan). Cherished grandfather of Maeve (Myonghun Kim), Ciara, Matthew (Aubrie), Daniel, and Linda (Caleb White) and great-grandfather of Suzan, Ryan, Hannah and Joshua White. He is preceded in death by his mother Marie, father Josef and sister Edith (m. Robert Muccio). Most people knew him as Gene Sterbenz. A veteran of the US Army 1950-51, he went on to a long career with the City of New York as a Tax Assessor in the Boroughs of Queens and Manhattan, where he appraised real property for New York City’s Finance Administration. At the end of his career, he applied his skills to the appraisal of some well-known tall buildings in Manhattan for City taxes. Eugene was an independent-minded man who always had advice to give and insightful observations to make. He was a dedicated sports fan (particularly the Mets, Jets and Giants) and was himself a good golfer, having spent quite a lot of time on pretty much every course on Long Island and many others around the country. Even in recent years, he could still hit the ball better than many. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with fellow members of the Gottscheer Rod and Gun Club and was the last surviving charter member of that club (founded in 1948). He was a keen observer of America’s political scene and would often share his views, much to the joy and sometimes even consternation of the many people he would engage. He was a patriotic American for sure. Eugene kept in touch with friends, extended-family, neighbors and the relatives in Europe over the years, but found himself recently alone among his friends from the old neighborhoods of Ridgewood and Woodhaven Queens, as most of them have passed away. The passing of his wife, Anne Lee (nee Goodwin) Sterbenz was difficult for dad and the entire family, as was losing his son Christopher in 2018. He carried on bravely for those years and now is at peace. He was a dedicated son, father, husband, uncle, in-law, grandfather and friend. We know that many others will miss him but cherish his memory and the many stories he leaves behind. The family will receive visitors Sunday, January 28th, 2-6 pm at the Arthur F. White Funeral Home, 315 Conklin Street, Farmingdale. Funeral Service Monday, January 29th, 10 am at the funeral home. Interment following at Maple Grove Cemetery, Queens.