Stephen A. Gawrych , age 82, of Stratford, passed away on May 28, 2017. He was the son of the late Anthony and Mary Ann Gawrych and the beloved husband to Angie Gawrych for 48 years. He was born in Wyk, Poland and immigrated to America in 1949. He resided in Bridgeport before moving and starting his family in Stratford, CT. He worked at Remington Arms as a Machine Operator and retired in 1989 after 35 years of service. He was part of the Remington Arms Quarter Century Club. He was well known for his generous heart, often going out of his way to help others. In the summer season he could be found tending his garden (one of his biggest passions) producing so many fruits and vegetables for his family and closest friends keeping them well-stocked with fresh produce. During the snowy winter months, he would often shovel the driveways of those that were elderly in the neighborhood and not able to do it themselves. He truly enjoyed laughing and making others laugh as well. A well-known prankster, he always had a joke ready and a unique and ‘usually’ funny nickname for everyone he knew. As an animal lover, Steve always made sure the neighborhood birds, ducks, rabbits, and all the neighbor’s cats were well fed. However, it was his little Chihuahua, Nacho, that stole a soft spot in his heart. He enjoyed relaxing in his “office” on his special rocking chair (with Nacho on his lap), catching up on episodes of the nightly game shows.
He is survived by his wife, Angie, and by his children John Gawrych and his partner, Jase Peeples of San Francisco, CA; Terry Smethurst and her husband Patrick of Milford, CT; Mary Griswold and her husband Matt of Milford, CT; and the newest addition to the family, his granddaughter Emily Griswold. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Nancy Gawrych of Milford, CT and Elizabeth Gawrych of Shelton, CT; his cousin Henrietta DeFederrico of Seymour, CT as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his step mother, Boleslawa Gawrych, and his younger brothers Stanley and Henry Gawrych.
Calling hours will take place on Friday June 2, 2017 from 4 to 7pm in the Commerce Hill Radozycki Funeral Home, 4798 Main St. Bridgeport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10am in St. Michael the Archangel Church, Bridgeport followed by interment in St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. The family asks that those wishing to remember Steve in some way make a donation to the American Heart Association.

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