... so very fortunate to have known this man and his family and Marvel at the continuing Legacy he left behind. He tended his garden admirably and by his fruits you know him.
With love and admiration, Leo Fitzsimmons
Stephen J. Melnick, Jr., Age 77 passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2015, the feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the home of Michael and Jeanette Sparks with his family by his side. He is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-three years, Agnes, his nine children and their spouses, Stephen (Denise), Jeanette (Michael Sparks), Theresa (August Zuno), Christian (Irene), Anne Catherine (John Burns), Michael (Sarah), Mary Agnes (Timothy Lapka), Fr. Augustine O.S.B., and Joseph (Suchada), forty grandchildren; four siblings, Elaine DeRosa, Alexandria (William Hludzinski), Walter, and Joseph (Janice); sister-in-laws, Mary Higgins, Dianne Arleth, brother-in-law, James Arleth (Judith); many beloved neices and nephews and godchildren; his dear friend, Cheryl Byrne, and her four children, Robert (Laura), Bernadette Rowe (Douglas), Joseph (Kelly), and Christopher (Joanna) and her nine grandchildren.
Stephen was a graduate of North Catholic High School and LaSalle University. He was a member of the ROTC and served six years in the Army Reserves. He worked as an accountant for the IRS, auditing non-profit organizations. This thirty year, full time career was supplemented by employment of fifty years with A&P/Superfresh foodmarkets.
Stephen’s three great loves in life were his faith (Roman Catholic), his family, and his country. Zeal for truth and the love and care of his family were his top priorities. This zeal was the drive for everything he did in his life. Stephen’s motives in life were clear, as he would often say, “God first, then family, and then country.” Those who truly knew him knew that he did all out of duty with unquestionable love and fidelity towards these three things.
Family and friends will remember the big hearted Ukrainian, gala picnics (serving as the steady pitcher for softball games), Christmas parties, day trips to the Jersey Shore, side-splitting laughter at Abbot and Costello, Sid Caesar, and Red Skeleton, listening to Joe Brady and Ed Hurst on WPEN, and a helping hand and home to those in need.Those who knew him will always treasure his memory.
A viewing will be held Friday, August 21, 2015 from 9-10:45 at St. Jude RC Church, 1402 Tenth St.,Eddystone, PA, 19022, where Requiem Mass will begin at 11 am. Christian Burial will follow in St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, 438 Cedar Rd., Elkins Park, PA. 19027
In lieu of flowers, donations for Gregorian Masses for the repose of the soul of Stephen may be made out to the Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe and mailed to Agnes Melnick at 1666 State Highway 45, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062.
Thank you Dad for the life that you gave us. I can't think of a better testomonial to your memory than the legacy you left behind. Although you are not visibly present in this family picture, you were there. I see your presence in each and every one of your childrens' faces. When I look at their smiles, I see your smile. When I hear their laughter, I hear your laughter. When I see their love for life and their desire to share it with others, I see that it was put there by you. Your presence will forever be carried in our hearts. I love you for the man you were.
As Christian Stephen Sparks made this video, I thought of his Grandpop. Thanks for the the memories, Dad. 'Three little words'
From great-niece, Katie Z., responding to me, Jeanette S.:
'So I got your email and listened to the recording of Uncle Steve, Aunt Aggie and you. That was so great,thank you for sharing that. I was thinking about how I don't have stories necessarily to tell about him just memories of things. Like him pitching the soft ball games and him cutting the grass in the retenion area which made me think of how much he did for all of us. What he gave us, he worked so hard to create a world for us that gave us such joy and happy memories. That is what I think of him anyway:)'