from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Stephen P. Dey II, D.V.M., 74, of Heritage Hill Farm, a well known equine veterinarian and farmer, died Feb. 28, 2011, in Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Hamilton, N.J.

Dr. Dey earned a statewide reputation as a supporter of New Jersey agriculture and the equine industry. He graduated from Allentown High School in 1954 and the NY State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell in 1960. He practiced for nearly 50 years in New Jersey, mainly on Standardbreds, as well as breeding and foaling mares on his Heritage Hill Farm near Allentown.

He was a founding member and current president of the Horse Park of New Jersey, a member of the advisory board of the Equine Science Center of Rutgers, president of the Board of Managers of the N.J. Agricultural Experiment Station, and a longtime member and past chairman of the N.J. Equine Advisory Board.

Dr. Dey was named “N.J. Horse Person of the Year” in 1990 and 2004 and was presented with the “Spirit of the Horse” award in 2007.

He served in numerous positions regarding agriculture in Monmouth County and statewide, and was currently serving on the State Agricultural Development Committee and the N.J. State Water Advisory Council. He was president of the State Board of Agriculture in 2003-2004. Locally, he was chairman of the Upper Freehold Board of Health, a member of the Freehold Economic Development Committee and a lifetime member and elder in the Allentown Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Dey is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; sons, Stephen III, V.M.D. (Margaret) and Gregory, D.V.M. (Beverly); daughter, Wendy (Brian) Martin; six grandchildren, Stephen IV, Rachel, Mitchel, Troy, Garrett Martin and Bridget Martin; twin sister, Mary D. Hayes; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, at Allentown Presbyterian Church, 20 High St., Allentown. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, March 4, from 4-9 p.m. at Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Horse Park of N.J., P.O. Box 419, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514.