General Information
Full Name: Philip J. Steinberg
Date of Death: Saturday, October 21, 2023
On Saturday, October 21st, 2023, Philip J. Steinberg passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by those he loved dearly. He was 81 years old.
Phil was born in 1942 to Ann & Ben Steinberg and grew up in Yonkers, NY. He attended SUNY Oneonta and Columbia University and enjoyed a nearly 40-year career as a high school English teacher in North Bergen, NJ. During his fulfilling career as teacher, he was named teacher of the year, served multiple terms as union president, and formed life-long friendships.
He met his wife, Barbara, on a New Year’s Eve blind date in 1966. They married a year later and have been together nearly 56 years. In 1975, they made Fair Lawn their home and raised their two daughters. Upon their retirements, they travelled and gathered with family & friends.
Phil filled his spare time with numerous hobbies. He was a devoted fan of the New York Islanders, Mets, and Jets, a passionate Civil War scholar, a voracious reader, and a lover of jigsaw puzzles. A truly religious man, Phil was an active member of Fair Lawn Jewish Center/Congregation B’nai Israel, where he enjoyed the community and friendships within the congregation.
Yet, with all his hobbies, it was with family that Phil found his greatest happiness. Phil is survived by his wife, Barbara, his daughters Robyn Zimmerman-Vogel and Deborah Watts, his brother Joel Steinberg, his three grandsons, Calvin Watts, Brian Watts, and Scott Zimmerman, sons-in-law Kevin Watts and Paul Vogel, brothers-in-law David Helmstetter and Clayton Pioch, sisters-in-law Rhoda Goudsmit and Roberta Pioch, nephews Neil and Eric Pioch, nieces Karmeisha Showers-Pioch and Rachel Pioch, dozens of close, personal friends…and his beloved dog, Zoe.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Phil’s memory to one of the following organizations:
Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/)
American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org/)
Arthritis Foundation (https://info.arthritis.org/donate-today/)
Shiva Will Be Held Privately on Tuesday Evening
Friends and Relatives Are Also Invited to Join The Family for Shiva On:
Wednesday & Thursday (October 25 & 26)
6-8pm (service at 7:30)
Fair Lawn Jewish Center
10-10 Norma Ave, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
(Please refrain from bringing food into the synagogue)
Service Information
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
11:00 AM
Service at:
Louis Suburban Chapel
13-01 Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
If you are using GPS you can input the intersection of Cyril Ave & St Anne Street. The construction going on Broadway will hinder you from accessing Cyril Ave from the main road. You will see a sign that says “No Thru Traffic” on Cyril Ave & St Anne Street but you can drive passed it to access the parking lot of the funeral home.
Burial at:
Beth Israel Cemetery
Phil Steinberg,
His friendship was truly a gift given to me and all who knew him. My condolences to his wife Barbara, his daughters and their family
Your name will always be seen as the one who signed our k’tubah
A good friend who remembered our birthday and anniversary
A great travel companion even when giving lectures to other tourists
May you rest in peace wherever your future travels take you
We will always remember you as a good friend
Mr. Steinberg was my English teacher in high school. He was my favorite teacher of all time! His passion for literature and his knack for teaching inspired me to become a teacher myself. We became friends, he was my mentor, as he allowed me to student teach in his classroom. I became so close to him he even came to my house with his beloved wife Barbara for dinner. We exchanged holiday cards every year. It is impossible to forget him! A one of a kind for sure! My deepest condolences to his wife Barbara, his daughters, grandchildren and family. I loved and admired him deeply and will miss him! RIP Mr. Steinberg