Obituary of Stephen J. Szczerbacki

Stephen J. Szczerbacki

March 11, 1942 - April 13, 2025

Stephen J. Szczerbacki, 83, of Sheridan, NY passed away peacefully on Sunday morning April 13, 2025 at Buffalo General Hospital .

He was born on March 11, 1942 in Buffalo, NY the son of the late Stephen J. Sr. and Helen (nee Narusiewicz) Szczerbacki. He married the love of his life, Patricia A. Opeil on April 6, 1974 in Sheridan, NY.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years Patricia Szczerbacki; a sister, Ellen Szczerbacki of Fla.; brother-in-laws, James (Gloria) Opeil of Sheridan, NY and Philip Opeil of Forestville, NY; sister-in-laws, Barbara (James) Garland of Fredonia, NY, Diana (Paul) Rozewicz of Silver Creek, NY and Joanne Szczerbacki of Dunkirk, NY; also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by a brother, Vitold Szczerbacki.

Steve lived a full life. He graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1959. He attended Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, Pa. earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education he continued his academic studies at Buffalo State University where he obtained his Masters Degree in Education. His first place of employment was at Frontier Middle School where he taught science for 5 years. He then relocated back to Dunkirk, NY where he taught science at the Dunkirk Middle School and Dunkirk High School, devoting more than 32 years to the Frontier and Dunkirk Public School system. Steve also was accomplished basketball and football coach retiring in 1997. After retirement he took the job of Supervisor of student teachers at Fredonia State, where he advised and guided prospective teachers, which included telling them plenty of stories.

He was a sports enthusiast whose favorite professional teams were the former Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns he also rooted for the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres. In his free time he enjoyed traveling, camping and golfing. Later in life, Steve and Pat loved wintering in Florida with their family and friends. Steve was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

As per Steve’s wishes there will be no prior visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Our Lady of Mt Carmel RC Church, 165 Central Ave. Silver Creek, NY at 10 AM. Interment will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. When you plant a tree or sow some seeds think of Steve!

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel, 160 Central Ave. Silver Creek, NY. Please share online condolences and remembrances at www.holeparkerfc.com.