Steve Grayeck 1974 - 2010

The following post is in remembrance of my younger brother Steve Grayeck.


GRAYECK Steven Edward Grayeck, age 36 of Bridgeport, died unexpectedly on Monday, December 6, 2010. He was born in Bridgeport to Linda (Soderberg) Grayeck and Richard Grayeck. Steven was a graduate of Stratford High School and had attend Southern Connecticut University. He was employed at Oracle Corporation in Stamford in systems administration. Steven was an avid NY Yankees and San Francisco 49ers fan. From a young age, Steven was interested in computers and video games. He is survived by his mother, Linda Grayeck of Stratford; his father, Richard Grayeck of Stratford; maternal grandmother, Pearl Soderberg of Upton, Mass.; one brother, Len Grayeck of Shelton; one sister, Wendy Hensel and her husband, Keith of Monroe; two nieces, Sarah and Grace Hensel; one aunt; one uncle; and six cousins. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main Street, Stratford. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 11 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, those who so desire may make contributions in his memory to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 or info@jdrf.org. Click here for the JDRF donation page.

The following images are pictures of Steve through the years.
The text are the celebration of life statements that were read by my sister Wendy, my niece Sarah and myself.



Wendy's Celebration of Life Statement for Steve

List for Steve – Top 10 things I remember most from our childhood

• Sharing a room and bunk bed with those Peanuts sheets; it was great how we’d horse around after bedtime – with Len too – and then pretend we were sleeping when mom or dad would check us; I still wonder if they ever knew what was really going on

• Stops at French Bakery for free rolls on the way home from Franklin School

• Summer trips to Action Park …. we must have gone at least 6-7 times; the Alpine Ride was our favorite

• Weekend visits to Arnie’s Arcade in Westport…I loved how you’d spend all your tokens in 5 min and then ask me for some of mine

• Sunning at Short Beach in Stratford during the day and going to Flood Pool for an evening dip

• Trips to Disney World and staying at the Polynesian Village; we had such a blast swimming in all those pools

• Before you got diabetes at 13…..stops at Gussy’s – neighborhood store – to spend our allowance and pick out our candy; should we get Now & Laters, string licorice or the candy dots? Man, we had tough decisions back then

• Bike riding all over the neighborhood and the sidewalk in front of our house; we would bike for hours and hours

• Celebrating the big moments in my life and always being happy for me

• Your sense of humor – I remember when we lived in SC for a while and the kids there made such a big deal that we were from CT and we were Yankees. That one kid kept teasing you about being a Yankee, in your reserved way you kept ignoring him until one day he really made you mad and you came out with “I have one thing to say … who won the war?” That kid never bothered you again

Instead of focusing on the time we’re not going to have now; I’m going to be grateful and celebrate the time we did have.

Sarah's Celebration of Life Statement for Steve

Uncle Steve

1. he is very giving
2. he is very nice
3. he is respectful
4. he loves me
5. he smiles at me
6. he cares for me
7. he comes to my party
8. he gives me good gifts
9. he trusts me
10. I love my uncle

Len's Celebration of Life Statement for Steve

Thank you all for joining us today to celebrate my brother Steve’s life

Growing up we were known as “Lenny, Wendy and Stevie” & as we got older, that became “Len, Wendy & Steve”

We didn’t have much growing up, but we always had each other

We weren’t perfect and didn’t always get along, but who does?

We did often hear how we were the best behaved kids in the waiting rooms of dr offices – we’d walk in, sit down and quietly read magazines or books……

Steve, I’m your big brother – I taught you things and tried to protect you

I remember riding our bikes on Liberty St and playing in High Park

I also remember throwing snowballs and dirtbombs at each other in the backyard – it was usually you and Wendy against me

That is, until Dad yelled out the back door for us to stop our nonsense!!!

We’d comply for a few minutes and then once the coast was clear, we’d go right back to what we were doing...

I also remember on rainy days we’d build forts out of blankets and seat cushions in the living room

And I think my incessant playing on the Atari 2600 may have led to your lifelong interest of video games

I remember being jealous that you could eat a lot and never gain an ounce and because of that, Grandma & Grandpa Soderberg commented that you had a “hollow leg”

I also remember your phase of covering almost everything you ate with French salad dressing – when I asked you about it, you said it made things taste better….I think when you got older, you replaced the French dressing with ketchup….

I’m gonna miss all of that

I’m gonna miss your great sense of humor – you’re one of the very funniest people I’ve ever known

I’m gonna miss our in-depth conversations – which over the last few years were limited to talking at Wendy & Keith’s house or online through IM

I’m gonna miss having your expertise with IT/computer issues

I’m gonna miss a lot of things

I recall the last thing I ever said to you the last time I saw you in person

I said “Take care of yourself” - which is the exact same statement your middle namesake, Uncle Eddie, said to me the very last time I ever saw him…..

Steve, you were a redwood among mere sprouts

I am so blessed to have had you in my life.

You will never be forgotten my brother

So this is goodbye for now and until we meet again,

I‘m gonna keep you right here (hand on my heart)

where you’ve always been

I MISS YOU STEVE

I miss you so much

May you rest in peace

On behalf of my family and myself, we'd like to thank the following: Pistey Funeral Home - their help was immeasurable during our time of grief, Pastor Gaylord Lemke - for delivering an excellent celebration of life service, John Congdon - outstanding performance of two songs that helped us celebrate Steve, and to all the family and friends who paid their respects in person and from afar.....

RIP Steve - I miss you bro