Dr. Robert J. Garofalo Jr. is gone. The Long Hill Township dentist died suddenly. His practice shared the news this week. Friends and family are still taking it in.
He ran Stirling Valley Dental Associates on Warren Avenue in Stirling. Patients knew him as the steady hand who fixed teeth without a lot of fuss. He put in years of work there. People counted on him for checkups, fillings, and the tough stuff too.
The office said his death came without warning. No one saw it coming. That hit the people closest to him the hardest. Family members lost a husband, father, or brother overnight. Colleagues lost the man who kept the place running.
Staff at the practice put out a short note. They said Dr. Garofalo always aimed for solid care. He treated folks from around Long Hill and nearby towns. Many patients stuck with him for years because he listened and got the job done.
The office stays open. Another dentist is stepping in for appointments and emergencies. They are looking for someone to take over full time later. For now the doors stay unlocked and the phones work for urgent needs.
Condolences can go to the practice email. No public services are set yet. That leaves room for the family to handle things private. Neighbors in Stirling and Long Hill keep talking about the quiet way he did his work.
A lot of local people feel the gap already. Dr. Garofalo left a clear mark on the small practice he built. The team says they will try to keep the same level of care going forward. That is the only plan on the table right now.
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