Obituary of Stephen Chrabaszcz

Stephen Francis Chrabaszcz, Jr. “Sonny” of Johnston, age 67, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 20 as the result of a heart attack. He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Barbara A. (Doboszynski) Chrabaszcz; two sons, Stephen F. Chrabaszcz, III, Esq. and his wife Lacey of West Hollywood, California and Adam P. Chrabaszcz of Johnston; and a daughter, Jessica L. Chrabaszcz, Ph.d, of New Haven, Conn. He was also the father of the late Paul W. Chrabaszcz. He was the proud grandfather of Harper and Sutton Chrabaszcz. Steve was the son of the late Mary (Valaitis) and Stephen Chrabaszcz. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, he leaves two sisters, Dolores Lombardi (Bob) and Geraldine Scott. He was also the brother-in-law of Susan Doboszynski and Ralph Sinapi and the son-in-law of William Doboszynski. Today, anyone who is thinking of Steve is doing so with a smile. He was often described as “quite a character.” He could never sit still, and he could tell an entire story without once taking a breath. But beneath his unique ways was a man who had immense pride. He was very proud of the fact that he was a veteran of the United States Air Force and had served a year of duty in Vietnam. He was very proud that he graduated from Brown University and Providence College after struggling in high school. He was very proud that he had been in education for more than forty years. He loved “his kids”, the faculty, staff and parents at Toll Gate High School. Everyone in the school had his cell phone number so he could be reached at any time. All of the students were “his kids”—from the struggling student, the special-needs student, to the brightest student. Every student was equally as important. His greatest pride, however, came when he spoke about his own children and their accomplishments. He would brag about their achievements to everyone who came in contact with him. Steve loved the Red Sox, the Patriots, and more than an occasional trip to Twin River. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 3pm to 8pm at the Hoey-Arpin-Williams-King Funeral Home, 168 Academy Ave., Providence. The family requests that family and friends proceed directly to St. Adalbert’s Church, 866 Atwells Ave., Providence to celebrate a Mass of Christian burial at 10am on Monday, September 26, 2016. Burial with full Military Honors will be in the RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Arrangements by Supinski & Borrelli. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spurwink RI, One Spurwink Place, Cranston, RI. 02920. This donation will directly benefit the day program his son, Adam, participates in. In addition, contributions can be made to Cranio Care Bears, P.O. Box 464, Mead, CO 80542. This organization provides care packages for babies who are recovering from craniosynostosis surgery, which his grandson, Sutton, will undergo before the end of the year.