NEW, Stephen Francis

Stephen Francis New, 93, of Bristol, passed away quietly at his home Friday, Nov. 28, 2008. He was the husband of Dorothy Florence (Corey) New. He was born Feb. 13, 1915, in Elmira, N.Y., to the late James and Katherine (Trice) New.He grew up in Elmira and after graduating from Elmira Free Academy became employed at the Elmira post office, where he served as a letter carrier and postal supervisor until his retirement in 1973. During his postal tenure he served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he spent a tour in Germany and France.He organized and monitored the Postal Bowling League, Elmira’s “fast-pitch” Softball League, The Letter Carrier’s March for Muscular Dystrophy each Thanksgiving Day and was president of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees for many years. His “can-do” attitude made him visible in politics, the post office, church and neighborhood charities.
He and his wife relocated to Bristol in 2003. He spent his time educating another generation of grandchildren to New York Yankees baseball history, word games, singing and gardening. He was always challenging the limits of the mind, and he spent many years polishing his Irish skills of storytelling. We’ll miss you!!!He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Florence Corey New; daughters Patricia Bina and her husband Robert of Houston, Michele Studzinski and her husband James of Sterling, Va., and Robin Vena and her husband Anthony of Bristol; And grandchildren Russell Robinson, of Melbourne, Fla., Stefanie Maurer of Milwaukee, Wis., Kandace Gilligan and her husband Benjamin, of Washington, D.C,, and Patrick Vena and Devin Vena of Bristol. He has maintained a special relationship with his beloved nephew, James Topping of Arlington, Va. who was for the duration of his life the “son he never had.” That relationship was nurtured until the day Steve died. Surviving great-grandchildren are Austin and Houston Robinson of Melbourne, Fla. He was pre-deceased by his cherished grand-daughter, Kimberly Studzinski and five siblings, James New, Thelma New Wisner, Eleanor New Topping, John T. New and Jane Machewske.Family and friends may gather Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad St., Plainville. Services and burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Stephen’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, 1 Union St. Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691. For directions and online condolences, please visit bailey-funeralhome.com.