Petersbugh/Berlin – Stephen J. Gaj, Sr., 57, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2013, surrounded by his family at Holyoke Medical Center in Holyoke, MA. Steve was born on April 12, 1956, to the late Walter and Stefania Gaj. He grew up in Granby, MA, and started his own family there in 1978. In 1989, he moved to Petersburgh, NY. He remained in the Petersbugh/Berlin, NY, area for the rest of his life.
Steve was a racing and classic car enthusiast spending most of his life as an auto mechanic as well as an employee at Lebanon Valley Dragway where he could often be seen on the starting line. If he wasn’t at the track, he was enjoying the simple life that he loved, which mostly included spending time with his friends and family in a garage or next to a campfire. Over the years he also enjoyed hunting, played in several horseshoe, dart and softball leagues and was well known for his pig roasts.
Stephen is pre-deceased by his son, Stephen J. Gaj, Jr, his parents, Walter Gaj and Stefania Gaj (Gondek), and his brothers, Paul Gaj, Frederick Gaj and Walter Gaj, Jr. Survivors include his children, Paul F. Gaj and wife Jillian of Orange, MA, and Charlene M. Millias and husband Michael of Johnstown, NY, the mother of his children, Linda Larose, his grandchildren, Stephen, Tristen and Alivia Gaj and Maya and Eryn Millias, his siblings, Dorothy Bycenski and husband Joseph, Phyllis Horoszewski and husband Thomas, Richard Gaj and wife Cynthia, Peter Gaj and wife Robyn, Gail Holt and husband Frederick, David Gaj and Diane Lemire and husband Arthur, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Services were held Monday, November 18, at the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home in Petersburgh. Calling hours were from 10 am until 12 pm with a memorial service at 12 pm. Burial followed at the Meadowlawn Cemetery in Petersburgh.