Obituary of Stephen A. Arlak

ARLAK, Stephen, 97, of Leonia, NJ, passed away after a rewarding and fulfilling life on Thursday, June 20, 2013. He lived in the Bronx for many years before moving to New Jersey. He received a degree in finance from NYU. He served four years in the Army during World War II. We are always defined in life by the people we love and things we do and enjoy. His family, swimming, canoeing, and work were his passions. In his early teens, during a school trip, he swam the Hudson River across and back. He swam with legendary Olympian and actor, Johnny Weissmuller. He experienced many of New York's sports and cultural highlights: he attended a Yankees game as a guest of Babe Ruth; Lou Gehrig's farewell speech; Don Larsen's no hitter; and many jazz and big band concerts. He worked forty years for General Motors in Manhattan. He then began a new career with the IRS. An ardent traveler, he and his wife Helen were among the first group of travelers to visit China when it opened to Westerners. He was a devoted pinochle and poker player throughout his life, even after his vision and hearing were greatly impaired. He was always generous with his time in helping others. His cheerful vitality, pleasant disposition, extraordinary patience and dignified life will be deeply missed by all. He is survived by his son, Stephen; daughter-in-law, Gloria; granddaughters, Vanessa, Alexandra, and Katherine. His wife, Helen, and daughter, Victoria, predeceased him. Funeral from McCorry Brothers Funera l Home, 780 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ, on Monday, June 24, 2013 at 9:15 AM. Funeral Mass to be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church, Broad Avenue & Harrison Street, Leonia, NJ at 10 AM. Interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ. Visiting hours on Sunday, from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Donations in Stephen's memory to the WoundedWarriorProject.org. would be greatly appreciated. For information and directions, please visit www.mccorrybrothers.com.