Obituary of Stephen M. Oleck

Stephen Michael Oleck, Steve, Mr. Catalyst Man, Poppop, 104 years old, of Springfield, Virginia, ], passed away on September 8th, 2024 in his own home in Springfield, VA. He was surrounded by loving family and alert almost until the end. Funeral service will be held at Laughrey Funeral Home , Pennsville, NJ at 1 pm Saturday, September 28, 2024. Burial will follow at St Mary's Cemetery, Salem, NJ. Memorial reception will be at The Salem River Inn that evening; another memorial will be held at Greenspring Village, Springfield, VA on October 16th, what would have been Steve's 105th birthday. Stephen was born in Ansonia, CT to Mary and Antony Olecknowich, on October 16, 1919. He went to Ansonia High School and graduated in1937. He was awarded a scholarship to a local college, Yale University, and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, graduating in 1942. He worked as a Research Chemical Engineer, for Hercules Powder of Delaware, Baugh Chemical Company of Philadelphia and lastly for Mobil Research Laboratories in Paulsboro, NJ, where he filed over 40 original patents in the specialized area of catalysts. He retired from Mobil in 1984, but continued to consult as a catalyst expert until he was in his 80s. He raised his family in Moorestown, NJ, with his beloved wife, Mary "Molly" Oleck. He was an active member of his community and church, enjoying over 45 years as a member of the choir in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. He acted as a pool board president, lane and turn judge, and swim club organizer for Moorestown Swim Club and Sunnybrook Swim Club. He was an avid golfer, taking the sport up in his early working years at Hercules in Wilmington, Delaware, going on to play with the Mobil Flying Horsemen, and, in retirement becoming a member at Moorestown Field Club and traveling with his wife to their condo in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Molly preceded Steve in death in 2006; Steve lived in Moorestown a few more years, traveled several times to Europe, and finally moved, at age 94 to Springfield, Virginia to be closer to his only daughter. Steve was well known in his community for being an incredible walker, seen at all times and all over campus, and throughout his lifetime. Steve is survived by his daughter, Mary Oleck, and husband Kevin Perry of Alexandria, Virginia; his son, Steve Oleck of Paoli, PA; granddaughter Selena Higgins, and her husband Conner, great grandchildren Eleanor and Patrick Higgins of Philadelphia, PA; grandchildren Margaret Hughes, husband Trey; Stephanie Tate and James Tate. At the age of 104, Steve was preceded in death by many of his family members and peers and friends. Most importantly to him, he was preceded in death by his beloved bride, Mary A. "Molly" Oleck, wed for 59 years prior to her passing. They met on a blind date at the Hotel DuPont, Brandywine Room in 1941. He knew immediately he wanted to marry her. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Capital Caring Hospice Service of Northern Virginia and the Home Services division at Greenspring Village, Springfield, Virginia. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday September 28th at the Laughrey Funeral Home, Pennsville, NJ where friends may call from 1:00 to 2:00 PM prior to the service. Burial will follow at the St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem, NJ. www.laughreyfuneralhome.com