Monmouth Beach resident and Sea View Jeep and Sea Breeze Ford owner, Steven James Schmelz, passed away on Jan. 24 after a two-year fight against terminal cancer. He was 63.

“He never lost hope despite his diagnosis and lived every day to the fullest. His resolve will always be remembered … Steven loved skiing, bike rides, Long Beach Island, his children and his grandchildren. His family asks that you think of him when you are enjoying these things with your loved ones … Whether you called him Steve, Dad, Boss, Coach, Uncle Steve, or G-Pa, you knew him as an honest and loyal friend – always putting the needs of others before his own. Steven gifted these values to his children, Kristina, Tyler, Tony, and Anabel. He dedicated his life to his family – coaching nearly all of their sports teams and impacting the lives of countless others.” 

Loved ones of Steven Schmelz in his obituary

A coach and player in the Jersey Shore Basketball League for more than 30 years, Steven was known as an avid sports enthusiast, both as a player and spectator.

Steven grew up in Roselle Park, where he was known in high school as a star basketball player. He went on to study at Bates College in Maine where he was captain of the basketball team.

After college, Steven founded Sea View Jeep and ran the business for 37 years. He has also been the owner of Sea Breeze Ford since 2006.

In addition to his loving wife, Heidi, and four children, Steven is survived by: six grandchildren, Ryerson Schmelz, Michael, Nathaniel and Eliza Farissier, and Wyatt and Theo Schmelz; his brother, William John Schmelz; and his sisters, Johanne Kittle and Judy Todd.

There will be a private service for his family at the Church of the Precious Blood. The family is planning a public memorial service for this spring.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Steven please send a check including Steven’s name to Fulfill at 3300 Route 66, Neptune, NJ 07753 or make a donation online by clicking here (https://fulfillnj.fenly.org/stevenjschmelz).
Sea View Jeep and Sea Breeze Ford will match all donations.

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