Stephen James McCrystal

Steve attended Catholic School in the Bronx. He was an altar boy at many churches including St. Patrick's Cathedral. In high school he excelled in track and ran at Madison Square Garden. After a demonstration for court reporting at his high school Steve enrolled at the Interboro Institute for 2 years and became a court reporter. In his early years he worked for the Bronx District Attorney's office and

the Manhattan Division of Unemployment. Later he worked at the World Trade Center, Tower 2, for the Security and Exchange Commission.

In 1966 he was drafted in the Army. He was offered a commission as an officer at Fort Knox and was assigned to the Armor Division. Army was his greatest love and he eventually became a Lieutenant Colonel in the 78 MTC. He was also Commander of the 3-311th Regiment 1st Brigade. Steve retired from the Army in 2002.

Steve attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck. For a time he was the quarterback for Fairleigh's football team. He received a BA in English and a teaching degree in 1974. He taught in Paramus until he moved with his wife Elaine to Lakewood, N.J.

Steve was a dedicated volunteer and spent many years on the Lakewood Planning Board and the Lakewood Board of Education.

From the age of 6 to the age of 83 Steve was an avid Yankees fan. After high school he played semi-pro baseball for the team sponsored by the Yankees—the New York Oaks. He wore the uniforms of Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto.

Elaine, son Doug, Shay and the family mourn the loss of a great man, Stephen McCrystal

Visitation will be held at D'Elia Funeral Home, located at 1300 Vermont Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701, on January 30, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm & from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A morning visitation will also take place at the same location on January 31, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.

The funeral service will be conducted at D'Elia Funeral Home on January 31, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am, followed by a graveside service at Ocean County Memorial Park Association, Silverton Rd, Toms River, NJ 08753