Stephen H. Bobiak Jr.

Stephen H. Bobiak, Jr., 78, Frackville passed away peacefully at his residence on Sunday, August 4th. Born March 3, 1946, in Pottsville, PA. Steve was the son of the late Stephen H. Sr. and Helene (Ivas) Bobiak.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Nicole H. Bobiak in 2003, his sister-in-law, Beverly Bobiak and very close lifetime friend Robert Hall, just weeks prior.

Steve is survived by the love of his life, wife, and dance partner of 55 years, Cheryl Ann (Boris) Bobiak, his son Stephen H. Bobiak III; his daughter Jessica Dean and her husband Kris, Lake Wynonah; grandchildren Kasey, Jason and Jack Dean; brother Robert Bobiak, Deland, Florida, brother-in-law Michael Boris and his wife Mary Lou, Clarksville, Maryland, many nieces, nephews, golfing, fishing and card-playing buddies.

Steve spent time living across the Commonwealth in places such as Philadelphia, Williamsport, Schuylkill Haven, and Bloomsburg.  Through his formative years, and most of his adult life, Steve resided in his hometown of Frackville, PA where he served on Borough Council and was a member of the BPOE 1533.  A 1964 graduate of Frackville High School, Steve was the Scholar Athlete, excelling in the classroom as well as on the football field, basketball court, and baseball diamond.  As a highly recruited quarterback, Steve had scholarship offers to play football at many Division I Universities throughout the country as well as a handful of basketball opportunities. "Golden Arm" initially chose to continue his academic and football career at Rutgers University before transferring and graduating from Temple University as a member of their baseball pitching lineup where he played for legendary coach Skip Wilson.  As a decorated athlete, Steve was named to the Jerry Wolman Northern Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

Following in his father's footsteps as a teacher and coach, in 1970 Steve packed up his bride and son and moved to Williamsport to begin his career as an educator. It wasn't long before his gift of gab, charming personality, and joke telling ability led him to a career in insurance sales.  After several years selling insurance part time, he eventually left the public school system and worked full time as a broker for varying agencies before starting his own business in 1986.  Steve sold his Frackville business, Goal Line Financial, in 2021.  Upon retirement, he enjoyed spending winters in Florida fishing and visiting with his brother, Bob.

Steve had a passion for many things in life including fishing, hunting, golf, Yankees Baseball, Browns Football, Fox News, oldies music, and watching sporting events, not necessarily in that order.  If he wasn't fishing in the Lehigh or Delaware Rivers with a fly rod, in his bass boat on Lower Lake Beverly in Canada, he could be found on one of the many golf courses in the area. He loved teaching these skills and passing on his knowledge to anyone that would listen. He was a fierce competitor, whether it was darts, billiards, or a game of backyard bocci ball with the family, he did not like to lose. His proudest moments came from watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports.  He was known to breakdown film and offer unsolicited advice on a regular basis.  Once a coach, always a coach.

He will be missed dearly by those who loved him, and to honor his memory, we ask that you tell someone a joke.  Bonus points if it is a long-winded tale that leads the listener through a seemingly endless series of events, often culminating in an anticlimactic punchline.

Divine Liturgy will be held at 11a.m. on Thursday, August 8th, at St. John the Baptist, Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1408 Main Street, Maizeville, PA. Family and friends are invited to his visitation at the church on Thursday morning from 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery following.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Steve's name to the Spartan Games for Students with Special Needs. Please make check payable to the North Schuylkill Activity Fund and mailed to North Schuylkill High School at 15 Academy Lane, Ashland, PA 17921.

Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.