Obituary: George Stipak, World War II Veteran

from the Beecher Funeral Home

George was born on November 30,1925, in New York, NY son of the late Joseph and Josephine (Tertinsky) Stipak. He graduated from Power Memorial Academy in 1943, where he became a track and football star, fondly known as “Sparkplug Stipak”.

During WWII, George served proudly as a staff sergeant in the United States Army Air Corps, as a part of the Pacific Theater. He bravely flew 27 missions as a radio operator/gunner for the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron on a B17 Bomber from 1944 to 1946.

When he came home, he continued his education at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY graduating with a degree in Finance.

On May 10th 1952, he married the love of his life, Helen Louise Peloso in New York, NY. He never remarried and was known to say, “There can never be another Helen”.

They moved to Putnam Lake in 1958 where they raised their family of 7 children and became members of Sacred Heart Church.

George was a mechanical engineer and worked for Pitney Bowes in New Haven, CT and at the same time worked for Grolier Inc. in Danbury, CT. He retired after forty years in 1989 to take care of his ailing wife.

George was an usher at Sacred Heart Church, a little league coach in Patterson and a proud member of the Putnam Lake VFW.

He was a skilled golfer and continued to play 18 holes at the late age of 97. He was also an avid sports fan, cheering on his NY teams with his children and grandchildren by his side. He was even honored with his brother Al as the first WWII brothers to be recognized in Yankee Stadium on April 17th, 2021. Above all others, he was a HUGE fan of UConn Women’s Basketball. As a devoted father, one of his greatest joys was watching his children perform in bands at musical events. Some of his loves included camping, cooking, classical music, and cats.

Family meant everything to George. He was a proud father, grandfather, and uncle.

George was predeceased by his wife Helen. He is survived by his son-in-law Joseph Helfand of New Milford CT, his sons Douglas Stipak of Brewster, NY, Jonathan Stipak of Patterson, NY, daughters Jo-Ellen Stipak of Brookfield CT, Donna Van Buren and her husband Clifford of Middletown, MD, Catherine Borkowski and her husband Richard of Shoreham, NY and Suzanne Stipak of Brewster, NY and grandchildren Grayson, Jillian, Madison and Benjamin. He was predeceased by his son Charles Stipak and his daughter-in-law Patricia.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday April 24, 2024, at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Church in Putnam Lake, followed by the interment in Maple Ave. cemetery in Patterson, NY. Calling hours will take place Monday April 22, 2024, and Tuesday April 23, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave., Brewster, NY.

Contributions in George’s memory may be made to the Putnam Lake VFW Post 9257, 4 Fairfield Drive Patterson, NY 12563.