Stuart Jay Speck

Stuart was born in the Bronx in 1938. He loved playing basketball as a kid, and although he wasn't much of a student, his father insisted that he go to college. He ended up at Pace College, where he made the basketball team and was named captain his senior year. Pace was largely an accounting school, so Stuart studied accounting and eventually earned his CPA. He spent his career rising through the management ranks at Prudential-Bache, working in the arbitrage department, and later became a financial advisor, where he had a real knack for picking stocks.

Stuart met Roberta on a park bench while he was playing basketball in high school, and they were married in 1961. They started out in an apartment in Parkchester. In 1972, they moved to Marlboro, NJ, where they raised their two daughters, Stacey and Lori. He was predeceased by his sister, Elinore Singer.

Stuart's real joy came from his family. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Roberta; his daughters, Stacey (and her husband, Keith Horowitz) and Lori (and her husband, Jeff Gruber); and, most of all, his four grandsons, Zachary Horowitz, Brandon Horowitz, Justin Horowitz, and Joshua Gruber, of whom he was immensely proud.

In recent years, Stuart found particular pleasure in handing out golden dollars to kids — and the occasional athlete — he'd meet along the way. It was a small gesture, but one that perfectly reflected his generosity and the joy he took in making people smile.

Graveside services will be private, for immediate family only, and will be held Friday, September 18, 2026.

Shiva will be held Friday, September 18, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the home of Lori Gruber, 7 Mallard Lane, Marlboro, NJ, and Sunday, September 20, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Vizcaya Clubhouse, 1 Metzger Drive, West Orange, NJ 07052.

Memorial donations may be made in Stuart's name to the BrightFocus Foundation.