Stephen J. Hoptay, Sr.

Mr. Stephen J. Hoptay, Sr., 90, surrounded by the love of his family, entered the arms of the Lord escorted by His heavenly angels on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

We respectfully request that no one arrive at the funeral home prior to the posted visitation times, so as not to intrude on the family’s private time. 

Family and friends are invited to the visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Sunday, September 14th. from 2:00-6:00PM.  On Monday, September 15th. at 8:30AM, everyone will start to gather in the funeral home where a prayer service will begin at 9:00AM, followed by the funeral mass to be offered in Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Linden at 10:00AM.  The prayers of committal will precede Steve’s burial in the family plot in St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia, New Jersey.

Steve, the son of the late Mary Sharo Hoptay and the late George Hoptay was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey and he was a lifelong resident of Linden, and was often referred to as the “Mayor of Tremley Point”.

Steve had an outstanding career starting in October of 1960 with the Linden Police Department and he took his well-deserved retirement on April 1, 1996, holding the rank of Detective Lieutenant.  However, the word “retirement” didn’t exactly fit Steve’s style as he then decided to work for the Linden Board of Education as an Attendance Officer for the next fifteen years. 

A man proud of his country, Steve served from 1955 to 1961 in both the United States Army/82nd. Airborne and the United States National Guard.  In later years, he continued to foster the friendships  of his fellow veterans, as he enjoyed going to play bingo with the residents at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park, in Edison.

Steve’s life revolved around intertwined themes of family, faith, country, work and community service.  Like the energizer bunny, Steve never seemed to slow down or stop.  Within his history as a Linden police officer, Steve was a member of the Linden Police Superior Officers Association and he took on a major role as a firearms instructor for the LPD for many years.  He also participated in the Linden PBA #42 softball team and basketball team.  He held the rank of Commander with the Catholic War Veterans Post #497, associated with St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Linden.   Steve’s faith was very much a linchpin in his life.  He was a founder of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in the Tremley Pt. section of Linden, watching it being built from the ground up.  He is probably one of the longest serving members of the Parish Council and a member of the church’s St. Joseph’s Club.  Steve wore many hats within his beloved church.  Until his recent health setback, Steve was a reader and altar server during the many masses that he attended during the week -  jobs he loved doing.  The majority of the holidays would find Steve in the church basement, along with the numerous church volunteers, baking and selling hundreds of their special kolaches.  If the rumor holds true, only Steve & his good friend and fellow LPD, the late Mark Evan knew the secret recipes that were kept under lock & key! 

Steve was the man around town, and it seemed that everyone knew him.  His family couldn’t go anywhere with him without running into someone that knew Steve and of course, he had to stop and  chat or catch up on old times.  He was a member of the Linden Knights of Columbus Council #2859 and made his way up the chairs to become their Grand Knight and now is a PKG.  During his years there, Steve took on so many different duties that ran the gamut from setting up tables and chairs, to selling event tickets, cooking food, running benefit dinners and different raffles; all to help the good of his community.  He was even a member of their bowling league.  Steve was bestowed the 4th. Degree of the John P. Washington Assembly, which is the highest and most honorary degree within the Knights of Columbus.  As such, Steve would participate in color guards and honor guards, organize patriotic programs and support community initiatives, especially those for veterans. 

His social and civic commitments to his beloved city of Linden included his twelve years of participating in and manning the LINCS food pantry in Linden.  After the summer season, it was a well-known occurrence that Steve would start his own “no shave months” as he grew his bushy, white beard, that was so necessary to another major part of his life that was near and dear to his heart; playing the role of Santa.  Steve would do this only for charity events sponsored by schools and churches, the Marine Corps. Toy for Tots Breakfast with Santa, and programs held in numerous  surrounding hospital and nursing homes, including Union Hospital and Runnels Hospital.  He was “Santa” to one and all and over the years, Steve brought endless joy and smiles a mile long to countless children and their parents.  Other activities in his free time, included a love of hunting and fishing and always with his core group of guys friends and the men folk of his family.  In fact, he was a major player in the former Tremley Point Rod & Gun Club, an organization founded by his father.  Steve enjoyed playing the bagpipes, although we’re not quite sure how all the neighbors felt about this and from time to time, he took to the greens to hit the little white ball with the curved stick known as golf, which of course his son, Stephen, said he was not really very good at!  Even with all these things that enriched Steve’s life, there certainly was nothing he held closer to his heart than his beloved wife, Joannie and his family.  It didn’t matter what conversation you were having with Steve, it inevitably became a rundown of what his entire family were doing.  He was just so proud of them it would make his heart burst!  Steve’s love for them is so great that when he lost Joannie, it tore a hole in his heart that would never be repaired.  But in true Hoptay/Chrobak fashion, the troops circled around him and made sure that Steve was always looked out for and included in everything they did.  They made sure there was never a dull moment!

Steve was predeceased by his wife, Joan Halulka Hoptay (2016); his brother, George Hoptay; his sister, Merrily Cardinoza and his brother-in-law, Donald Cardinoza.

He leaves behind the broken hearts of his son, Stephen J. Hoptay, Jr. and his wife, Beverly; his daughter, Stephanie J. Chrobak and her husband, Joseph C. Chrobak; his grandchildren, Casey Chrobak and her fiancé, Tyler Wands and Joseph C. Chrobak, Jr.; his sister-in-law, Georgienne Hoptay and his numerous nephews, nieces, cuzzins and Steve’s friends, neighbors and church family.

Steve Hoptay – “Pop”, the man, the myth, the legend……the eternal Santa, is now reunited with his Joannie and together they are the angels watching over all of us.  May they both share everlasting peace and rest with the Lord.  Steve, definitely a one in a billion kind of guy, will be forever missed but he certainly will never be forgotten.  We love you Steve and we will continue to tell stories about all your exploits and antics…..

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