By: centraljersey.com
UPPER FREEHOLD – The state’s horse industry and the Upper Freehold community are mourning the death of prominent equine veterinarian and farmer Dr. Stephen Perrine Dey II, who died suddenly last week at the age of 74.
Dr. Dey, of Heritage Hill Farm, was a tireless advocate for agriculture and the equine industry, who also gave generously of his time to his community and church. A Standardbred breeder and practicing veterinarian for nearly 50 years, he had just delivered a foal at his farm Feb. 28 when he felt ill, was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, and died a short time later.
"He was a horseman, a veterinarian, a farmer and a gentleman that will be missed greatly and dearly by our community," Mayor LoriSue H. Mount said on March 3 before the Township Committee held a moment of silence in his honor.
Hundreds of mourners came to the Peppler Funeral Home in Allentown to pay their respects on Friday and scores more lined South Main and High streets on Saturday in tribute as his casket was taken to the nearby Allentown Presbyterian Church for his funeral. Fittingly, the casket was borne on a farm wagon festooned with patriotic bunting and pulled by Dr. Dey’s bright green John Deere tractor.

