Stephen J. Rakshys

?Stephen James RakshysAugust 30, 1968 – November 17, 2016 Steve passed away after suffering a stroke at the age of 48. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing. Born in Hagerstown, Maryland and a graduate of North Pocono High School in Pennsylvania, Steve was a passionate sports fan cheering on the Eagles and Phillies though the years. His love of sports was contagious in his family – although they may not have always been rooting for the same team, his wife, Karen and sons Bryce and Evan spent many weekends together watching sports. Steve also supported sports in his sons’ lives by both attending their games, as well as coaching baseball and basketball teams. Steve was a master in the kitchen and loved preparing food for the special holidays with the family. One of his signature meals was preparing an extravagant Thanksgiving meal, and nobody ever left hungry. He also always made Christmas Eve dinner special by making his custom crab bisque soup. Steve grew up in Moscow, Pennsylvania with his parents, John and Christine and Steve’s older brother, John and his younger sister, Kristin. Family was always important to Steve and family vacations were spent together at Shawnee on the Delaware as children. A tradition which was then continued with his own family. Steve’s sense of humor extended to his many inside jokes with his nieces and nephews, Caitlin, Jenny, Luke, Rex, Matthew, and Jayla. He loved playing games with them and other family members and many hours were spent playing Hearts, Rummy, or seeing someone get a pie in the face. Karen and Steve began their marriage on New Year’s Eve in 1994, and they started a beautiful family together raising two sons with such love and support. Steve always had such love for his boys and was so proud of his son, Bryce, attending Salisbury University and pursuing and achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. While Steve coached for both sons, he most recently was very active and proud of Evan’s basketball talents, and Steve will continue to serve as a source of inspiration for his boys throughout their lives. Steve is preceded in death by his father, John Stephen Rakshys; grandparents William and Josephine Zingle, John and Margaret Rakshys, and brother-in-law Jim Leigh. Steve is survived by his wife, Karen; sons, Bryce and Evan; mother, Christine Rakshys; in-laws James and Shirley Leigh; brother, John and wife Eileen; sister, Kristin and husband Peter; sister-in-law, Sharon Leigh; nieces Caitlin, Jenny, and Jayla; and nephews Rex, Matthew, and Luke. Steve and Karen have supported the Make-A-Wish foundation through the years and are asking that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Make-A-Wish foundation in his name at http://tinyurl.com/steve-rakshys