Stephen S. Mydlarz

On Sunday, July 12, 2020, Stephen Stanley Mydlarz, devoted husband, father and

grandfather, passed away at age 95.

Stephen or Steve as he was called by family and friends, was born April 10, 1925 in Port

Henry, NY to the late Anthony and Mary Mydlarz, both first generation immigrants from Poland.

He valued life as a learning experience and as such was respected for his hard work and

persistence to see even the most challenging situation through. This theme was prevalent from

the start. He was a second generation immigrant who spoke only Polish until entering school.

After school he entered the workforce and served his country. He was a proud member of the

Navy where he served in both WWII and the Korean War. Between these two wars he met and

married Edith Treadway Mydlarz on September 14, 1947. Together they raised six children, one

son, Stephen and five daughters, Linda, Debbie, Stephanie, Cindy and Tammy. He was a miner

for Republic Steel in Mineville, NY until the early 1970’s and a builder for the Carpenters Union

in Albany for a number of years. Many will remember him fondly as the local butcher at Steve’s

Market which he owned and operated with his wife in Crown Point, NY.

Steve liked to be busy puttering around in his garage tinkering with this or that. He was a

builder at heart. He built homes, furniture, bird houses but most importantly he built relationships

with people. He was especially patient when it came to children. He loved laughter and

entertaining people. His humor, quick wit and practical joking will be remembered by all who

knew him. He loved the outdoors, fishing and the simple stuff. He was a quiet man but once

you got him engaged in conversation he had many stories to tell. He felt it important to share

what he knew with the next generation. He placed a high value on education until the day he

died. His favorite programming was the nightly news and he read the newspaper daily. Steve

was often quoted as saying “learn all you can because no one can take that away from you, fire

can’t burn it and water can’t wash it away.” He also loved music, every grandchild can sing “You

Are My Sunshine” because they heard him sing it so many times as he played the organ or the

accordion. He loved listening to Polka Music and was very proud of his roots and as such he

always wanted to know where everyone came from, especially his doctors. It was a bonus if

they shared his heritage. Steve was a tiny man in stature but the strongest man in will and spirit

and physical endurance. Although his life knew loss and heartache and his body knew pain, he

pressed on, knowing that paradise was waiting for him.

Steve was preceded in death by his father Anthony, and his mother Mary, all his siblings:

Genevieve Graczyk, Helen Wyrocki, Frank Mydlarz, Anthony (Tony) Mydlarz, John (Gumper)

Mydlarz and Dorothy Zackar, his son Stephen Mydlarz and grandchildren: Jonathan Ross,

Andrea Ross, Vincent Frasier and Becky Mydlarz.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Edith Mydlarz, his daughters: Linda (Werner)

Knopp, Debbie (Carl) Ross, Stephanie (Michael) Wollman, Cindy (John Jr.) Russo, Tammy (Al)

Gallagher; his grandchildren: Carla (Todd) Malone, Andy (Mindy) Ross, Marijane (Andrew)

Stanley, Jonalee (Alex) Mars, Timothy Wollman, Daniel Wollman, Heather (Fred) Dudley, Erin

(Jeremy) Sargent, Brittany (Jacob) Sprague, Amanda Mydlarz, Anthony Mydlarz, Kristy (Jimmy)

Scheffler, Michael Gallagher, Bryan Gallagher; his great grandchildren: Suzette McKenzie, Ross

(Natasha) Malone, Drew Malone, Maria Malone, Mandy Jo Ross, Sawyer Ross, Landon Ross,

Benjamin Stanley, Caroline Stanley, Jackson Stanley, Andrea Dudley, Madison Dudley, Megan

Dudley, Jerin Sargent, Kaydin Sargent, Kohin Sargent, Sadie Sargent, Abbigail Sprague,

Jaelynn Sprague, Grace McKiernan, Guiliana Mydlarz Pratt; his great great grandchildren:

Jonathan Malone and Stephen Malone (his namesake) and a special niece, Bonnie Powers and

several other nieces, nephews and friends who were like family.

A private funeral service will be held this week for immediate family. In lieu of flowers we

are asking you to wear your mask in public, love your country and serve others, just as Steve

did!