Stephen Charles Gyetko

I want to thank Steve for 32 wonderful years of marriage, and all that he taught me about relationships, character, and love since we met at college in 1981. All of us remember Steve, I’m sure, for his quick wit, his intelligence, his passion for progressive causes and for World War II fighter planes, his love of animals, and his jaunty ways. He made people laugh, and kept life-long friendships. Over the years, he brought me out of my prison of shyness.

Just hours before he passed on, he said his goodbyes to the other wheelchair bound people in the nursing home he signed himself out of. While he propelled his wheelchair down the nursing home hall he gave an 80-something woman a kiss and gave a high five to a 60-something man, and shouted, “Hang in there, everybody!” When he referred to his prayers, he’d call it “Talkin’ to the Big Guy”. He was always outgoing and rather cheeky – that was his way.

Over the years, Steve and I shared whacky inside jokes that we both called “folie a deux”. We were just about able to read each other’s thoughts, especially if we both heard or saw something amusing. Every New Years Eve until a year or two ago, our idea of a wonderful “night out” was to roll up our living room rug and dance to 1940’s swing or 1930’s dance band music. Before he dropped me off at work, he always said, “I love you”. He often told me that I was his rock, and I always felt he was my safe harbor. I already miss him more than any of you can ever know, and I’ll always love him.

My sorrow is lessened in my hope that Steve is now enjoying eternal happiness with the people he loved who passed on before him. He might be trading jokes with his Uncle George right now. I can well imagine Steve getting one of his fondest wishes met – He could be piloting a
P-47 as we speak, ready to fight alongside the archangels! The grief we feel when we lose someone is hard enough. Therefore - We should never dissuade ourselves from the certainty that God loves us, nor give up the hope that someday we will see one another, safe at last in God’s beautiful country.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Stephen Charles Gyetko may be made to:
The Nature Conservancy
Attn: Treasury
4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22203
www.nature.org/donate