Stephen Stanley Sadowski

Our beloved father, grandfather, and friend, Stephen S. Sadowski, passed away after a short illness on Monday, February 20, 2023, at home surrounded by family. He was 92.

Stephen was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, the youngest of five children, to Stephen Schott and Ethel Foley on August 23,1930. In 1951, he enlisted in the Armed Forces and served in Germany until 1954 when he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. In 1956 he married Marta Sestayo and together they raised three daughters and made their home in Fords, New Jersey. During this time, Stephen worked as a life insurance agent for MetLife and retired after 30 years. 

Stephen and Marta were active community members and were particularly involved in Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church of Fords. Stephen joined the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Color Corps, became Grand Knight and a 4th Degree Knight and continued as Purser with Assembly 3236 when he and Marta moved to Florida.

In 1996 Stephen and Marta moved to Niceville where they joined the congregation of Christ Our Redeemer Church and participated in many community events and fundraisers. A natural storyteller, Stephen was well loved by everyone who knew him with his easy laugh and puns, love of pizza and Frank Sinatra. He enjoyed weekly golf games, daily crossword puzzles, poker, Michigan rummy, card games and was “chief mixer of the batter” for pancake breakfasts.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marta and is survived by his three daughters and their spouses; Julie Papocchia of New Jersey, Linda Dugan of Texas, and Tracey Bobrowicz of California; his sister-in-law and her husband Amelia and Jim Koza; and his grandchildren, Jennifer Saddler of New Jersey, Sasha and Hanna Bobrowicz of California, his great granddaughter Cara, and many nieces and nephews and their children.

It was Stephen’s wish to be cremated and interned next to his wife Marta. A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 31st, at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church, with a reception to follow. Immediate family will then proceed to Heritage Gardens Funeral Home. Stephen lived a good life and was blessed by a wonderful family and countless dear friends. He was surrounded by love. We want to invite members of the community to join us in celebrating and remembering him.  While saddened by our loss of him, we know that he is reunited with our mother who can finally give him a good haircut.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Okaloosa County Habitat for Humanity.

As we reflect back on Stephen’s life his favorite expression comes to mind, said often before he went to bed to visiting family,

"Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are."

 The Parting Glass

Of all the money that e'er I had I spent it in good company

and all the harm that e'er I did alas, it was to none but me

And all I've done for want of wit to memory now I can't recall

so fill to me the parting glass, goodnight and joy be to you all

So fill to me the parting glass and gather as the evening falls

And gently rise and softly call goodnight and joy be to you all.

Of all the comrades that e'er I've had they're sorry for my going away

and all the sweethearts that e'er I had they'd wish me one more day to stay

but since it fell into my lot that I should rise and you should not

I'll gently rise and I'll softly call goodnight and joy be to you all

So fill to me the parting glass and gather as the evening falls

And gently rise and softly call goodnight and joy be to you all

But since it fell into my lot that I should rise and you should not

I'll gently rise and softly call good night and joy be to you all

Fill to me the parting glass and gather as the evening falls and gently rise and softly call goodnight and joy be to you all.

goodnight and joy be to you all.

My Way, Paul Anka

And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course

Each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried

I've had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside

I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say, not in a shy way

Oh, no, oh, no, not me

I did it my way

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