Stephen Yager Jr.

Stephen Yager Jr., 83, died June 17.

A lifelong resident of Duryea, son of the late Stephen and Mary Ozimek Yager, Steve was a 1955 graduate of Duryea High School. Upon graduating high school, Steve enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he enjoyed his tour as a crew chief and jet mechanic on B-47's. He enjoyed traveling the world and would volunteer for temporary duty every chance he had. After being discharged, his experience in jet mechanics led him to work at Pan American Airways in New York, and then to Tobyhanna Army Depot.

Steve was quite a character, quick witted, generous and kind, and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Mary Ann Kulinski Yager. Together, they both enjoyed yearly visits to their villa in Sarasota, Fla. Also surviving are a sister, Rita and husband, Joseph Vax, Sarasota, Fla.; Mary Ann's godchild, Jennifer Reno, Harveys Lake, who was like a daughter to Steve; brother-in-law and closest friend, Joseph Kulinski, Forest City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a sister, Jean Marie; brother, Paul; and sister-in-law, Alice Kulinski.

Special thanks to the staff at both Regional Hospital and Allied Hospice, and a very special thanks to Joseph Kulinski, who spent hours on end at Steve's bedside while in the hospital and at hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church, 127 Stephenson St., Duryea, with the Rev. John Polednak officiating. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Duryea.

There will be no viewing. Arrangements are by the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main St., Duryea. To leave an online condolence for Stephen's family, please visit the funeral home website, www.piontekfuneralhome.com.