Obituary of Bruce Stephen Abeles

Bruce Stephen Abeles, 67, beloved husband of Janet (Dealaman) Abeles, passed away Monday March 28, 2016 at Overlook Medical Center after fighting a courageous six month battle against cancer. Bruce was born in Plainfield, NJ where he held many fond memories of growing up with his brother Jeff and sister Nancy, making lifelong friends and playing basketball at the JCC. He served his country in the United States Army National Guard during the late 60's. Bruce was a good man and a role model to those who knew him well, especially his children. Always able to see the positive in every situation he never had a bad word to say about anybody. He was a loyal friend who was never afraid or unwilling to stand by you when things got bad. A true family man, Bruce enjoyed being surrounded by his loved ones every day. When he was a teenager he started working with his father at Laurel Hardware Bolts and Nuts in North Plainfield and then in 1983 he began working with his wife Janet and her family at Dealaman Enterprises Inc, in Warren, NJ alongside his two bother-in-laws George and Bruce Dealaman, his nephews and his loving son Chris. While working for Dealaman Enterprises, Inc. he also began driving regular elementary and high school bus runs in Warren, Watchung and Long Hill Townships. Bruce enjoyed seeing the children he drove each day and took great pride in his work. He was also an avid sports fan who loved his NY Yankees and spent many years coaching his children's basketball and baseball teams in Warren Township over the years as his children grew up. Bruce loved to golf and almost never missed an opportunity to play on a Sunday or cruise around town in his prized Jeep Wrangler. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janet Abeles and their children and their spouses, Christopher & Ginny Conway, Aaron & Meridith Abeles, Evan Abeles & Nicolle Gameiro, and Alexandra and Damian Janasek along with his 5 grandchildren, Andrew and Emily Conway, Tyler and Abigail Abeles and Bodhi Abeiro as well as his brother Jeff Abeles and his sister Nancy Thompson of Tampa FL. A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, April 1st, from 6-9 p.m. at Higgins Funeral for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2nd at 11 a.m. at Wilson Memorial Church in Watchung, NJ. In Lieu of flowers the family is asking that you consider donating to the Overlook Foundation, 36 Upper Overlook Road, PO Box 220, Summit, NJ 07902 Medical Center.