Stephen W. Prevoski

Stephen W. Prevoski, 91, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home with family by his side. He was welcomed in Heaven by his wife of fifty-four years, Eleanor Ann (Treinas) Prevoski, who predeceased him in October 2014. 

 

Stephen lived for God, family and country. His unwavering faith guided him through both good and trying times. His family was his greatest accomplishment and he cared deeply about his country, his community and his home.

 

He is survived by two loving daughters, Anne L. Palczynski and her husband Jack of Hopkinton, and Cynthia M. Kerman and her husband Ben of Tucson, Arizona; a sister Ruth Camarra of Worcester; four grandchildren, Jonathan F. Palczynski, Timothy V. Palczynski, Sydney K. Kerman and Kenyan S. Kerman; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Carol Beale. He was born in Worcester, son of the late Francis S. and Margaret (Kingus) Prevoski. He graduated from Worcester Boy’s Trade as a printer and then in his 80’s, completed two full-time college courses. He was very proud to have served his nation in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. 

 

Stephen worked for many years with the City of Worcester, retiring as a DPW supervisor. He previously worked at American Steel and Wire and at Colonial Press in Clinton, prior to the modernization of printing. His love for the City of Worcester was profound, as he regularly attended city council meetings and shared his feedback. Worcester was his life-long home, and he cared deeply about the city, its history and his fellow citizens.

 

Stephen was a member of Saint John’s Church as well as the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed great conversations and sharing his sense of humor. A proud grandfather, he would often share stories of how he loved his grandsons, who fondly called him Grampa or “Jada” (Polish). Stephen appreciated all music, especially big band and choir hymns, and played the piano and accordion. A gentle soul, he had a high regard for nature in the Lithuanian tradition and tended to field and fauna alike. He always had a victory garden of sorts, especially his tomatoes, and enjoyed frequent visits to the lakes and oceans of New England. He valued a competitive Red Sox game and a good hot dog. 

 

Later in life, Stephen was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He fought a remarkable fight with the help of doctors and staff at UMass Memorial Medical Center. At the time of his first treatment, he was the oldest patient in Massachusetts to receive a bone marrow transplant, and later became the only patient over the age of seventy to survive three transplants. He achieved more than fifteen total years of remission and lived independently until January of this year.

 

Stephen’s family would like to thank his primary care physician Dr. George Eypper and his oncology specialist, Dr. Rajneesh Nath, many other specialty physicians and the bone marrow transplant team and unit at UMass for their constant, life-saving care, support and encouragement. 

 

We are forever grateful to the special caregivers at Rose Monahan Hospice Home for their stellar care, compassion and friendship over the past several months. Although Stephen’s physical presence is gone, his spirit will shine bright in the many lives he touched. May his courage and compassion stand as an example to those who remain. 

 

Calling Hours will be on Saturday, June 1, from 9 a.m. until his Funeral Service begins at 10:30 a.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  Interment with military honors will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Rose Monahan Hospice Home, VNA Care Fund Development Office, 100 Trade Center, Suite G-500, Woburn, MA 01801-1872, or to the Food Pantry at Saint John’s Church, 44 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604.