Stephen Procuk

Obituary for Stephen Procuk

It is with heartfelt condolences that we announce the passing of our fearless leader, Stephen Procuk, who left us on March 28, 2026. Born on August 2, 1929, in Cleveland, Ohio. His father, Mark Procuk, passed away when Steve was just seven years old, leaving his mother, Anna Neczypor, to raise the family. From a young age, Steve matured quickly and stepped up to the plate. While growing up in the projects of Cleveland, he made sure to help care for his mother and younger brother, Gene, showing strength and responsibility beyond his years.

As a boy, he delivered telegrams on his bicycle, demonstrating early the strong work ethic that would define his life. At just 15 years old, he began working at Electric Printing as an errand boy. Through dedication and perseverance, he built a lifelong career as a printer and eventually became the top salesman at Electric Printing.
He later partnered with his sons, Mike and Jim, to start JMS Printing, where they printed medication labels for Reece Chemical, a venture he took great pride in. He later concluded his distinguished career as a printing salesman with Ben Franklin Press.

Steve had a deep love for sports. He grew up playing baseball and carried that passion throughout his life, eventually having the joy of playing on a softball team together with his sons. He was an avid participant in the Wahoo Club for the Cleveland Indians and was especially proud to be in charge of four seats directly in front of the dugout. He also enjoyed sharing tickets with family and friends to watch the Cleveland Browns from the 50-yard line. If he wasn't at a game, Steve was watching from home, always enjoying the action and discussing the games with his sons, son-in-law, and grandkids.
Steve was also a talented bowler. In any league he played in, his average score ranked among the highest, and he consistently outperformed the competition.

All of this led him to the moment when his life truly began—the day he met the most beautiful gal he had ever seen- his Lee. He saw her across the room and said to his pal who also seemed interested and said, "Sorry Mike, this one's for me." Seeing as he was a shy guy at the time, this was out of character for him which proves even more the power of their love story. He could recall every detail of their first meeting at a bowling alley as he was swept off his feet, in awe of the love they would come to share. He remembered the exact date, time, and details of how he fell in love with her. He could describe their first kiss as if it happened yesterday. He was smitten from the start. From their early days of dating they took dance lessons and continued to dance their way through life. Always being the first and last ones on the dance floor. They certainly knew how to have a good time.

Steve and Lee were married on November 18, 1950, and their vows held true — through sickness and in health, until death do us part. He would proudly say they were married for 72 years, 7 months, and 17 days.

In retirement, Lee and Steve made their home in Florida, where they enjoyed a full and happy life together. Steve worked part-time as a cashier at Winn-Dixie, (earning cashier of the month repeatedly), cut grass and maintained pool chemicals to earn extra spending money. They just loved collecting shells, sand dollars and sharks teeth and many a sunset on the beaches of Englewood. He also enjoyed cheering on the Stone Crabs baseball team with cherished friends and was proud to be part of starting their Lutheran church, Trinity Lutheran Church of Southwest Florida. His grandkids would forever hold memories spent together in Florida. Endless pool days, shelling, Oreo dunks, pulling quarters out of their ears for spending money at Pelican Petes and helping Grandpa on the lawn mower and at pool sites. He was Grandpa & Papa Stevie, she was Grandma & Grammy and their grandkids & great-grandkids have the best memories of visiting what they called, "Spoil City!"

Together, Lee and Steve raised three children — Michael Stephen, Mayor of Brooklyn Heights, James Edward, and Patti Lee who reside in California — building a life filled with love, family, and cherished memories. Steve was incredibly proud of his family and found his greatest joy in their accomplishments, gatherings, and time spent together. He was especially grateful for his exceptional in-laws, Rowda Procuk (cookie baker) & Mark Gonzales (donut delivery) whose love and support meant so much to him.

In 2023, Steve joined an independent living community at The Windham in Fresno, California. While his heart was deeply broken without His Lee, he continued to soak in the good times and bring a great amount of joy to those around him. he made his mark by introducing a popular dice game, participation in every activity he could from chair volleyball to enthusiastically calling out "BINGO or BLACKOUT!" He made many dear friends along the way. He even started inviting others to start dancing during the weekly happy hour and livened up the room with his kind energy.
His vibrant presence and enthusiasm for life earned him the Diamond Award, a reflection of how fully he embraced each day at 96 years old. When he wasn't at the Windham managing his busy schedule of activities, he could be found on the sidelines watching his great grandsons play baseball , flag football and basketball with a big smile on his face. Sports and family were his passions and his family was proud to have him there in support.

Steve is survived by his loving family, including his grandchildren:
Michael (Jen), Mandi (Blaine), David (Kelly), Bryan, Canaan (Megan), Jordan (Jena), and Kelly (Matthew)
and his 16 great-grandchildren:
Michael, Emma, Brooklyn, Logan, Chance, Gianna, Skylar, River, Noah, Kaia, Kelton, Jace, Bennett, Jeremiah, Ryler, and Bodey.

Steve will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His warmth, strength, and devotion to family will live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind. We all know the meaning of hard work and true love, thanks to him and we find endless comfort knowing his is reunited with his one and only Lee.

Steve's final resting place will be in the memorial garden at their church, Trinity Lutheran Church of Southwest Florida, in Englewood, Florida, where his ashes will be placed together with his beloved Lee. Their stone simply reads:
"Lee and Steve — They Lived a Dream."