Stephen Szekely

Stephen was born on September 21, 1926 on the West side of Cleveland. He regaled us with many a story of his childhood, riding the Trolley all day with his brother Charles, helping his Mom by going to the market pulling his wagon behind him to carry the groceries, helping at his Father's Shoe Repair Shop. Later going to the Great Lakes Exposition and so many other adventures.

Stephen attended West High School, and just before his graduation, he enlisted in the Navy to serve his Country in World War II. His ambition in the Navy was to be a Navy Pilot B-12 Unit and attended Baldwin Wallace College for two years. The War ended before this education could be completed.

Dad remained on Reserve and was called back during the Korean War. He served by working with others to retrofit WWII warships for use in the Korean War.

He was stationed in Florida and then Norfolk, Virginia. He was with the ship, the USS Bassett.

After his Honorable Discharge from the Navy, he became a Cleveland Police Officer. He served with the Department for 8 years. At one point in time in his tenure as CPD, Elliot Ness was his Superior Officer. Dad walked a beat, was on the road, directed Traffic and worked in the Parking Department. Dad attended Cleveland Marshall Law for 2 years while with the Police Department.

During the time after discharge Stephen and some friends, also recently discharged from the Service started to get together for comraderies.

I believe this then led to the formation of the Cleveland Lutheran Veterans Club, which back in the day was the place to be. Within the Club, Dad and some other men in the club formed an inner circle dubbed themselves "The Last Man Standing" club as they were Bachelors at the time, but were starting to marry.

Over the years, the meaning morphed as those members began to pass. Turns out, Dad was the Last Man.

The CLVC had one special perk in that through one of Dad's friends, Dad met Dorothy Kmetz who was a Bridesmaid in a Wedding in which he was a Groomsman. They Married on May 2, 1953 and were together for 64 years until Mom passed on June 25, 2017.

When Dad found out he was going to be a Father, he decided to leave the Police Department and found a job with State Farm Insurance.

Dad was with State Farm for 35 years. He retired in 1991. He worked in the Auto Claims department from Estimator, to Adjuster, to Claims Supervisor. As an Estimator/Adjuster he traveled quite extensively to various Body Shops to check on State Farm insured vehicles that had been in an accident. This was back in the day way before cell phones, everything was done manually on forms and clip boards, visually inspecting the damage. Then taking it back to the office to have the information typed up and sent to the Home Office. Dad enjoyed his work, even with some of the bumps in the road he encountered as in any job. We remain a State Farm Family to this day.

After his Retirement from State Farm. Stephen worked Security at the Crawford Auto/Aviation Museum. He enjoyed his duties and just being at the Museum with all the history around him.

Stephen became involved with the Boy Scouts in 1937 when he became a Scout. He was in Troop 247, West Side Community House, Cleveland Ohio from 1937- 1943.

His adult service with the Boy Scouts started in 1964 with the Cub Pack Committee out of then, Evangeline Davies School in Brook Park which is now home to the 329th Marines

He rose through the Scouting organization as Scoutmaster, Unit Commissioner, Roundtable Commissioner, Unit Organization Task Force, District Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner, Assistant Council Commissioner, Boy Scout Chairman, Charter Organization Representative for 35 years, District Training Committee, Regional Camp Inspector, Registrar for District Klondike Events and District Spring Camporee Events, Philmont Training Center, Commissioner College, Campmaster at Beaumont Scout Reservation for 34 years.

During his time in Scouts, Stephen earned or was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1979, Woodbadge Beads in 1989, Distinguished Commissioner Award in 1992, 50 year Veteran Award in 2006 and Lamb of God award in 2009. Stephen retired from Scouting activities shortly thereafter.

Stephen was a Devout Lutheran all of his life. He attended Trinity Lutheran Church in his formative years. He and Dorothy were married at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Lakewood. The Family then went to Bethel Lutheran Church in Middleburg Heights, and St. John Lutheran Church South Euclid since 1971.

We were introduced to St. Johns by our former neighbors, the Raymonts, shortly after moving to South Euclid from Brook Park in 1971.

Stephen was actively involved with the Church for many years. He saw the church through its 150th anniversary and restoration, worked on the Church Constitution, and was the Congregation President for 2 years, he was also an Usher and then became Head Usher when John Medla stepped aside.

At one point in time, there was an impromptu Church group that Stephen initiated with his wife Dorothy and fellow church member, Florence Consoulo called "The Second Tuesday of the Month Club" where on the second Tuesday of the month. At first it was just the three of them but word spread, the group met for lunch at an area Restaurant. This went on for several years until health issues of members curtailed the group.

While he was no longer an Usher or involved with the Church Boards, he did let the members know his thoughts on church doings. When the CLVC dissolved, Stephen was instrumental in obtaining funds from the CLVC treasury and made a substantial donation to the St. John South Euclid Food Bank.

Stephen had his pew on one side of the church where many a Sunday he would be there in his suit, bowtie and depending on the time of year, wearing his White Buckskin shoes.

Stephen was faithful to God and Country and as such he was a Member of various Veteran Organizations. He was a 70 year member of the American Legion, Post 610. He was a Member of the Korean War Veterans Lake Erie Chapter 112 since 1992. While he served as Commander of the Chapter, he saw that the Chapter became Incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio and was instrumental in the development and placement of the Memorial Stone representing the Korean War. The Stone is at the Veterans Memorial Park located on the grounds between the Euclid Public Library and the Euclid Municipal Center on East 222nd in Euclid Ohio. He represented the Korean War Veterans in the Euclid Joint Veterans Council and he was active with the National Korean War Veterans Association and the State of Ohio Korean War Veterans Association.

Stephen enjoyed Photography and Cooking or Grilling out on a nice Sunday afternoon. In his early Family life, He and Mom were in a bowling league and bowled at the Brookgate Lanes in Brook Park. Stephen enjoyed playing Pinochle.

He enjoyed the music of the 50's and Bagpipe Music. We attended several Tattoos put on by the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society for the Bagpipes.

Somewhere along the lines he acquired quite a collection of 78 speed records. No record player to play them on but he kept them none the less.

He also loved one particular recording of the 1812 Overture. There were many a Memorial Day or Fourth of July Holiday that we were awakened earlier than we wanted by the canon fire in the recording.

Dad liked to travel and enjoyed history. Many Family Vacation destinations were a piece of history {even though we may not have realized it at the time} Gettysburg, Williamsburg, Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore to name a few.

After Retirement, he and Mom traveled to various Civil War sites and KWVA conventions as well as to California to visit friends. Dad would map out his route, go to Triple A for a Trip tic and plan ahead by figuring out milage and made certain they had a hotel room waiting. Dad was King of the Road.

Stephen was a loving Father, generous, quick wit, a devoted Family Man. Faithful to God and Country. An Avid Cleveland Indians Fan.

He enjoyed the original Cleveland Hockey teams, the Barons and Crusaders.

He put up with all us kids and the various pets we just couldn't live without. We all remembered fondly being told at one time or another "Quit your crying or I'll give you something to cry about".

 Over the past several years as the need for Hospital or Doctor visits increased, I never tired of the look on the medical professionals face when he or she asked Dad "how do you feel" and his response was always, "with my fingers".

Dad enjoyed working on the computer. He was on Facebook, emailed actively and enjoyed reading the paper online. He also read his Bible and did daily devotions. He enjoyed doing word search puzzles to keep active.

Dad enjoyed the Holidays. We kids did not know that until we were going over the "Life Review Interview" sheet form from the Funeral Home. We will honor Dad and keep Christmas and other Holiday traditions alive in the Szekely Household.

In the outline Dad was given in 2019 to give highlights for this Biography, one the of questions was "What gave them the most enjoyment in life?"

His answer: "Kids - proud of them always"

What has been our enjoyment in life? Having Stephen Szekely as our Father. We couldn't have had anyone better. Wouldn't want anyone else either.

Rest in Peace Dad. We love you. We miss you. 

Love you to the Moon, Always.

Lovingly submitted by

Karen Szekely, Rosanne Szekely, Steven Szekely and Ken Szekely

December 11, 2024

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Stephen to:

St. John Lutheran Church Food Bank, 4386 Mayfield Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44121, Phone: 216-381-9396, Website: http://www.stjohnsoutheuclid.org

Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Rd., Novelty, Ohio 44072, Phone: 440-338-4819, Website: http://www.rescuevillage.org

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, Phone 212-639-2000, Website: http://www.mskcc.org