Stephen Haas

Stephen L. Haas 

3/24/67-12/27/24

Stephen L. Haas, 57, of Ridgewood, passed away unexpectedly on Friday December 27,2024 in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Stephen was born on March 24, 1967, in Montclair, New Jersey. He was raised in Rumson, and lived in Ridgewood for the last 29 years, where he and his wife Michele built a wonderful life with their two beautiful daughters, Lindsay and Casey.  

Growing up, Steve was always known for his amazing athletic ability and competitive spirit.  He loved baseball and was the catcher on the Rumson Fair Haven High School baseball team. He then went on to play baseball at Susquehanna University, where he met his wife, Michele. The two were married on June 25, 1994, and celebrated their 30th anniversary this year.

Steve’s magnetism was known and recognized by all. He had an award-winning smile, firm handshake and gave everyone a welcoming pat on the back as he handed them a Budweiser. He always made sure everyone had a great time in his home.  He was happiest when hosting family and friends and wanted everyone to stay as long as they liked.  Always full of smiles and a hearty laugh, he was great at keeping everyone entertained and laughing.  Everyone left the Haas home with special memories and new friendships. 

The greatest joy of Steve’s life was being a father to Lindsay and Casey.  The girls were his true pride and joy.  From an early age it was clear that they inherited his athleticism and skills.  All of his free time was spent outside with his girls whether it be turning the swing set into a water slide, teaching them to hit a ball over the green monster in the backyard or honing their lacrosse skills.  Following in their dad’s footsteps, both girls became college athletes, as both played lacrosse for Wagner University.  As with everything the girls did, he became their biggest supporter and fan.  Steve was a huge presence at every Wagner Lacrosse game, home and away, and quickly became the mayor of the Wagner tailgates welcoming the players, their families and friends. Everyone could spot his pick up truck with the flagpole from a mile away.  

As a lifelong Jersey guy, Steve loved the beach, and he and Michele found their family getaway in Surf City, Long Beach Island. Their beach house was a warm, welcoming and joyous place.  He loved it there and took great pride in keeping the house and neighborhood in pristine shape- right down to blowing the front, back and even the street with his leaf blower.  In the last few years, he started a family tradition of hosting Thanksgiving at the beach including the annual polar plunge.  

From a young age, Stephen was an avid golfer.  He shot his first hole in one at Navesink Country Club where he spent his childhood golfing and playing ice hockey.  Steve joined Ridgewood Country Club in 2008 where he made many friends, played countless rounds of golf and created great memories.  It was one of his favorite places. 

Stephen started his career on Wall Street working for Dean Witter as a Corporate Bond Trader. Over the years he earned a great reputation in the business working for Bear Stearns, Royal Bank of Canada, Amherst Pierpont Securities and most recently AmeriVet Securities.  He brought an intensity and pride in his approach to work and had a great sense of humor.  He cultivated many friendships over the years in the industry and was known by all to be one of the good guys.  He was also a 9/11 survivor and had immense pride in working for a Service-Disabled Veteran owned firm.  He would often talk about what it meant to him to work side by side with those who bravely served our country.  He was truly a proud American.

Stephen graduated from Rumson Fair Haven High School in 1985 and Susquehanna University in 1989.  His untimely death cut a life of love, celebration and fun far too short.  His world began and ended with Michele, Lindsay and Casey.  He is also survived by his parents, John and Janet Wright; Sisters, Stephanie Hosbein and her husband Mark, Jennifer Carlston and her husband Thane, Allison Cea and her husband Viktor.  He was a proud uncle to Andrew Hosbein and his wife Elizabeth, Michael Hosbein and his wife Virginia and their new baby girl Blair, and William Hosbein, Theo and Finn Carlston, and Roman and Avery Cea. He is also survived by Evelyn Haas and Joyce Haas.  He is preceded by his father Jurand Haas, who passed away in August 2024.  

He touched everyone he met, left every conversation with a smile and warm handshake, and was greatly admired and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

The Family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 4-8 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral home 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481.  A Funeral Mass is planned for Saturday, January 4, 2025, 9:30am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 1 Passaic Street Ridgewood, NJ 07450. A private interment will be held separately.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation  t2t.org in his memory.

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