Stephen Komlos' Obituary
Stephen Komlos, 97, of Palm Harbor, Florida, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen G. and Amy Komlos; sister-in-law, Jean Baker; and many nieces and nephews.
Stephen was born in 1921 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as one of four children of Slovakian immigrants. He was raised in the Russian Orthodox community where he sang in church as a cantor.
Stepehen graduated from high school and went to work as a machinist apprentice. When WWII broke out, he joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific as an aircraft mechanic where he tuned the carburetor of the “Enola Gay” before the historic mission. During his time in the Navy, Stephen played baseball on a champion Navy team. and after the war, he graduated from college in Connecticut where he played varsity basketball for four years and tried out for the Phillies as a pitcher.
Stephen worked at the local Boy’s Club, then took a job as director of the Boy’s Club in Hamilton, Ohio where his achievements there were lasting and still recognized many years later.
It was during this time in his life that he met Mary Jane, his wife to be, who was a teacher in the same building as the Boy’s Club. After they were married, he joined Mosler Lock Company as Personnel Manager and moved to Milford, Ohio, where the family lived until he retired in 1979.
Stephen an active member of the Milford United Methodist Church and president of the Little League. He earned his master’s degree in business and when the family moved to Florida in 1979, he taught business classes at local college.
Stephen and Mary Jane joined Heritage United Methodist Church in 1980. He sang in the choir, taught Seeker Sunday School, and enjoyed making illustrations to highlight lessons.
Stephen participated in the Highland Lakes community, winning the golf championship in 1988 and singing in the chorus. He also performed as vocalist in a small band known as “The Jammers” and was able to recall lyrics to many, many songs. Stephen pursued an active interest in painting and music until his death.
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