Gazda, Stephen
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Biographical Text
Stephen Geroge Gazda was born on 1922-02-18 in Mahwah, NJ to Stephen and Mary Gazda. He had two older siblings, Paul and Anna, and one younger brother, John. The Gazda’s lived on Island Road in Mahwah, NJ. Both of Gazda’s parents died when he was young. He and his brother, John, moved in with their sister, Anna. In 1942, he was employed by American Brakeshoe & Foundry Co. He was an infantryman for the U.S. Army from 1942 until his discharge in 1945. After the war, he worked as a supervisor for New Car Carriers in Mahwah, NJ. He met and married Katherine Snack. They remained married until Katerine’s death in 1996. The Gazda’s, with their daughter Darlene, lived on Franklin Turnpike. The Gazda’s moved to Hewitt, NJ in 1961. Gazda had built a summer house that eventually became a year-round home. Gazda was a member of the John P. Fromm Post 236 of Mahwah, Clifton Veterans, and the West Milford American Legion Frank M. Sell Post 289. Gazda died on 2011-05-12. He was 89.
Family Members
Father: Stephen
Mother: Mary
Siblings:
Paul
Anna
John
Wife: Katherine
Child: Darlene
Son-in-law:
Bill Schlette
Grandchildren:
Michelle Harding
Bill Schlette Jr.
Great-Grandchildren:
Bryce
Ryan
Jayden
Blake
Emma
Madilyn
Bibliography
"Army Summons H.S. Instructor Karl M. Lehr," The Morning Call, October 17, 1942, p. 7.
Stephen Gazda, Find a Grave.
Stephen Gazda, Legacy.
"Stephen Gazda," Suburban Trends, May 18, 2011, p. B7.
Stephen George Gazda, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.
Stephen G Gazda, U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946.
Photo Captions
Photo 1: Gazda, posing in his uniform, place and date of photo unknown (Darlene Gazda-Schlette).
Photo 2: Gazda posing, place and date of photo unknown (Darlene Gazda-Schlette).
Photo 3: Gazda posing in his Army uniform, place and date of photo unknown (Darlene Gazda-Schlette).
Photo 4: Gazda's draft card, completed on 1942-06-30, in Ramsey, NJ (Ancestry Library).
Photo 5: Gazda (right) with his wife, Katherine (left), place and date of photo unknown (Darlene Gazda-Schlette).
Photo 6: Gazda's Bronze Star Medal (left) and Purple Heart (right), place and date of photo unknown (Darlene Gazda-Schlette).
Photo 7: Gazda's Army memorabilia, place and date of photo unknown (Darlene Gazda-Schlette).
Photo 8: A framed picture of Gazda, place and date of photo unknown (Darlene Gazda-Schlette).
Photo 9: Gazda's headstone at Cedar Heights Cemetery, West Milford, NJ, date of photo unknown (Find a Grave).