Mr Steven E. Cehelsky

Steven Cehelsky passed away peacefully on 26th January at Hope Hospice in Providence RI. Steves life was one of quiet accomplishments and pride in family. He was born in and raised in Mahanoy City, PA, one of 8 children of Helen and Emerick Cehelsky. He is pre-deceased by his parents, his brother Albert, his sisters Helen and Anna, his brother John and Johns twin sister Elizabeth (who passed shortly after being born) and twin brothers George and Edward (who both passed shortly after being born). Steve is survived by his second wife Elizabeth (East Greenwich RI), and first wife Doris (Pompano Beach FL), and his sons and their families, Clifford and his wife Donna (Foxborough MA), Jeffrey and his wife Jennifer (Sudbury MA), and Dennis and his wife Theresa (Warwick RI), and grandchildren Brent, Carly, Benjamin, Hannah, Nicholas and Jackson, and many nieces and nephews. While growing up in Mahanoy City, Steve excelled at baseball and basketball, and as such played in numerous league, tournament and championship games, with his younger brother, John. This love of sports led Steve to be a life-long fan of the NY Yankees, and a volunteer coach for many of his sons little league baseball teams. Upon graduation from Mahanoy City High School, Steve joined the Air Force, which was at the time of the Korean war. Steve was stationed in Azores and then Washington DC, where he worked in the Pentagon. While in the Azores, in addition to his duties, he was the captain and played on an Air Force traveling basketball team, visiting and competing with teams at other US Air Force bases in Europe. Upon his return to the states, Steve worked at the Pentagon and resided in Washington DC. It was in Washington where Steve met and eventually married Blanche Doris Poulin (Doris) at Saint Stevens Church in Washington DC. Steve and Doris moved to Massachusetts where they had their three sons together, Clifford (1962), Jeffrey (1963) and Dennis (1968). While in Massachusetts, Steve became an employee of Swank Industries, and attend college classes during the evening. Steve worked at Swank for 20 years, and as a leader, he and his family were relocated to southern California in the late 1960s to head up a Swank plant. Steve returned to live in New England in the mid 1970s to be near his sons, as he and Doris had separated. Steve progressed his career, becoming an importer/exporter of eyeglass frames, leading a team that grew the eyeglass lines for Givenchy, Valentino and Diane von Furstenberg. In October of 1983, Steve married Elizabeth Betty Almeida of Bristol RI. Sometime thereafter, Steve and Betty moved to Long Island, while Steve and his team helped to establish and grow the eyeglass line for Ralph Lauren. In 1990, lightening struck in the form of a winning lottery ticket. With such luck, Steve and Betty retired early to Treasure Island FL, where Steve spent many hours gardening and taking care of a variety of birds that visited their back yard sanctuary. Steve and Betty enjoyed hosting their brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren in the tropical Florida environment. They also enjoyed annual summer visits home to New England to visit their extended family, centering their visits around Fathers Day celebrations with their children and grandchildren. While in New England they always made time to enjoy the restaurants and scenic Ocean Drive in Newport RI. Also, as part of their retirement, they enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, with Italy being the country and culture they were most fond of. Born in coal mining town, Steve was in many ways educated in the ways of the world through real life opportunities and experiences. He remained an avid Yankee fan, who often sported his Yankees gear when visiting with his sons and their families (who are Red Sox fans). He was a quiet presence; however, he would also not miss the opportunity to break out in song, most energetically singing along with Neil Diamond (whether it be from the radio, an 8 track player, or more up to date technology). Funeral Services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol, RI Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 9:30 AM with a Mass Of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. Elizabeths Church, 577 Wood Street, Bristol. Burial will follow in St. Marys Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visitation is Tuesday morning only starting at 9:30 AM. The family morns the loss of such a gentle man. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: The Jimmy Fund https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2101&mfc_pref=T&2101.donation=form1&utm_source=jfh&utm_medium=button&utm_campaign=AGJFH031519&s_src=AGJFH031519&s_subsrc=AGJFH031519 Or Hope Hospice and Palliative Care of Providence (RI) https://www.hopehealthco.org/ways-to-give/why-give/ Services Visitation Tuesday February 1, 2022 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 Funeral services from Tuesday February 1, 2022 10:30 AM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 with a Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday February 1, 2022 11:00 AM St. Elizabeth's Church 577 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 Committal St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI