Stephen J. Benko

Stephen Joseph Benko, 66, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at RWJ University Hospital in Somerville, with his loving family at his side. Stephen was born in Jersey City, NJ to the late George and Christine Benko. He was raised in Bound Brook and resided most of his life in the Somerset County area, before moving to Lebanon over 16 years ago. He began his work career as a furniture installer for Centercore, later retiring from Apple Tree Landscaping in Whitehouse, NJ as a landscaper. Stephen was a member of Bound Brook Moose Lodge 988 for 35 years and the Bound Brook Elks, Lodge 1388 for 30 years. In his spare time, Stephen enjoyed fishing, camping & being with family. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

He is predeceased by his son, Matthew Benko.

Stephen is survived by his loving wife, Linda S. Peppe Benko, his children, Maryanne Mahfouz (Karim) and Christopher Benko, grandchildren, Kieran and Maya, siblings, George Benko, Karolyn Vaughn (Mark), and Nancy Dayton (Jeff), mother-in-law Joyce Peppe, sister-in-law, Janice Peppe, brothers-in-law, Richard Peppe (JoAnne), and Michael Peppe (Diane), and his beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 at the Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 E. Main St., Bridgewater, NJ 08807. A funeral mass will be held at 10AM, Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville, NJ.

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