Obituary of Steven C Tiboni

Steven Charles Tiboni, 56, of New Providence, NJ, passed away suddenly on December 5, 2024.  Born on July 19, 1968, in Livingston NJ, Steve was known for his warm heart, humor, practical jokes, and love of life.

Growing up in the neighborhood of New Providence, dominated by boys, and living in a house that backed up to Oakwood Park, was a dream childhood for any sports-loving kid. Depending on the season, you could find him playing wiffle ball or touch football between telephone poles.  Steve (aka T-Bone) was a .450 lifetime hitter in wiffle ball and a perennial All-Pro in the NFL (Neighborhood Football League).  Upon reaching driving age, Steve was known to only drive cars that were one loose lug nut away from the junkyard, a trait he may have inherited. 

Steve graduated from Albright College, PA in 1990.  He was known as the fun loving life of the party. He was at the center of almost every great story and everyone that knew him had a Tiboni story. He was the spoke in the wheel who kept everybody connected. He was always up for an adventure.  No one was safe from a practical joke.  He was an endless supply of laughs and stories but there wasn't anyone you could or would count on more.  He talked tough but deep down he was gentle and caring. He continued his education with a Master of Science in Homeland Security at Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2013.

Another inherited trait was his career in law enforcement. Having broken many laws in his younger days, he only thought it fitting to enforce them as a State Trooper. In 1998, Steve graduated from the State Police Academy in the 118th class. He started as a general road trooper at the Perryville and Somerville station before transferring to the Marine Bureau from 2000-2003 where he patrolled the Hudson River and all the New Jersey waterways.  This is where he learned his stealth boating skills which he used to impress his wife, Kerri, on their first date. Steve received the NJSP Unit Citation Award in honor of his rescue and recovery efforts during 9/11.  Steve was promoted to Sergeant in 2009, joining the Emergency Management Bureau, where he stayed for the remainder of his career.  Steve retired as a Sergeant First Class with 25 years of service.

While some may measure generosity through donations, Steve showed his generosity by giving the most valuable commodity in life: his time. You never knew when he would show up, whether it be in California, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Wyoming, Indiana, Connecticut, or Maine. He would simply call and say “I'm coming out.”  

Thirty-plus years after Steve took Kerri to the high school prom, they reconnected in 2018 and married on June 14, 2024, proving you are never too old for a high school crush. Steve moved from Tuckerton to Darien, Connecticut for Kerri, albeit, kicking and screaming.  In their short time together, they traveled, laughed, loved, and created a lifetime of memories.  Their love story was cut much too short but they cherished the time they had together.

Steve developed a deep love for entrepreneurialism and was an avid podcast enthusiast. When he wasn’t brainstorming new business ideas, he could often be found living on his boat in Tuckerton, a place he lovingly referred to as “My People.” Steve was also a dedicated member of the Springdale Athletic Club and the Redmond Club and loved spending time at local favorites like Vinnie’s, Pastime Club, Pinelands Brewing Company, and Dockside Cafe. Above all, he cherished his community and was deeply proud of his country, carrying a genuine love for America in everything he did.

Steve is survived by his adoring wife, Kerri, and his three amazing children, Hope, Alex, and Siena, whom he cherished deeply.  He is also survived by his loving parents, Marylyn and Joseph, and his favorite siblings Joe, Lynn, and Jen. He will be dearly missed by his in-laws, nephews (Sabatino, Nicholas, Tyler, Chase, Trey, and Colt), nieces (Olivia and Sophia), and step-children (Cavan, Maura, and Kiera).

The family will be receiving guests at the Embassy Suites Hotel (250 Connell Drive, Berkeley Heights, NJ) on Monday, December 16th from 11AM-4PM with a celebration of life at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to either donate to your favorite charity or honor him by reconnecting with an old friend or taking an impulsive, spur-of-the-moment trip - his preferred ways to make memories.