Stephen Zak Obituary

Stephen Robert Zak, 74, of South Strabane, formerly of Bethel Park, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 27, 2022, with his beloved wife and daughter by his side.

He was born at Mercy Hospital on February 13, 1948, to Mary Zak (nee Scariot) and the late Stephen Zak, and grew up "Down the Run" in the lower Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, where he was known as "Bob." Steve was a 1966 graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School.

In 1967, he met his future bride, Mary Catherine Santmyer, to whom he would be married for nearly 52 years.

Steve served in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard from 1967-1973 as a radio repairman with the 112th Fighter – Interceptor Group at Pittsburgh International Airport, attaining the rank of staff sergeant.

He received an Associate degree in Electronics Technology from Penn Technical Institute in 1973 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Point Park College in 1993. He worked for many years for the Equitable Gas Company.

A humble, patient, quiet, compassionate, generous, and humorous man, Steve was dedicated to his faith in Jesus Christ. He was a man of many interests and talents who instilled in his daughter a love of learning.

A multi-sport athlete throughout his life, Steve was still playing softball until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. His other interests and hobbies included reading and researching on a broad range of topics, including science, religion, and history; playing guitar; completing electrical and home improvement projects; fishing; and taking a good road trip (especially to the Outer Banks).

Most of all, Steve loved spending time with his four grandchildren. He was their greatest fan at sporting events, attending every practice and game he could.

Steve is survived by his mother, Mary Zak, currently of Lexington, N.C.; the love of his life, Mary Catherine Zak; his daughter, Colleen Ann Zak Hess (Christopher J. Hess) of Chartiers Township; and his four beloved grandchildren, Veronica Jane Hess, Stephen Edward Hess, Cecilia Domenica Hess, and Christopher Andrew Hess. Also surviving are his three siblings, Sandy (John) Stibrik of Hillsdale; Judy (Kevin) Kolesar of Lexington, N.C.; and Ted (Annie) Zak of Pittsburgh. Several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and close friends also survive.

Friends and family will be received from 4 until 8 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022, in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at East Katherine Avenue, Washington. S. Timothy Warco, Supervisor / Director, Holly Renay Warco, Director, S. Timothy Warco II, Director, Park N. Crosier, Director.

A prayer service will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, St. Oscar Romero Parish, 300 Pike Street, Meadowlands, PA 15342, with the Rev. Tom Gillespie as celebrant. Burial will be private.

Steve beat the odds, surviving Pancreatic cancer for more than three years under the care of Dr. Nitin Kapoor and the staff at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Washington. Thanks to the nurses of Concordia Hospice of Washington, he was able to live out his final days at home surrounded by his loving family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Steve's memory online to the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, or to Concordia Hospice of Washington, 10 Leet Street, Washington, PA 15301.

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