Former Teaneck Merchant, Stephen J. Gratzel, Dies at 96

Stephen J. Gratzel, 96, formerly of Northampton, died Sunday, October 13th in Schervier Pavilion Nursing Home in Warwick, New York. He was the husband of Ethel D. (Frumolt) Gratzel. Born July 19th, 1917 in Northampton, he was the son of the late Anthony and Anna (Ressler) Gratzel.

He was the owner and operator of Gratzel’s Bakery in Teaneck, New Jersey for 30 years. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during WWII. He was a member of the Catholic War Veterans Post 454 of Northampton and the VFW Post 8441 of Vernon, New Jersey. Also, he was a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2586 in Teaneck, New Jersey and a member of the Young at Heart Senior Group in Northampton.

Survivors: wife Ethel; sons Stephen J. Gratzel Jr. and his wife Noreen of Warwick, New York, Robert J. Gratzel and his wife Rene of Red Hook, New York, Christopher Gratzel and his wife Christine of Warwick, New York; daughters Patricia J. Camarillo and her husband Edward of, Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Constance A. Kney and her husband Kevin of Rockford, Illinois, Gail M. Gratzel of Riverdale, New Jersey; brother Paul Gratzel and his wife Mary of Toms River, New Jersey and 15 grandchildren.

Services:  A Burial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday October 19 at 10:30 a.m. in the Queenship of Mary Church 1324 Newport Ave. Northampton. Family and friends may call Friday 6-8:00 p.m. and Saturday 9-10:00 a.m. in the Reichel Funeral Home 326 E. 21st St. Northampton, Pa. Contributions: memorials may be presented to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or Queenship of Mary Church c/o funeral home. Messages can be posted online here.