Stephen Boska
Montville — Stephen William Boska, 84, of Montville, sailed off to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, New London.
He was born on April 18, 1933, in New London, the son of Stephen and Alice (Turski) Boska; both of whom he knew were responsible for his success in life. He married his best friend and soulmate, Marilyn Beckwith Morrison, on Feb. 11, l961, at St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Chesterfield.
He graduated from Chapman Technical High School in 1950 and from Admiral Billard Academy in 1951. Being very adept musically, he earned a scholarship to Julius Hart Music School. However, he chose to go in another direction .... military school.
He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) in 1955, earning a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering. During his first class (senior) year, he was class president. He sailed as a licensed engineer for American Export Lines for almost one year, then chose to take a shore job. He worked in several capacities at General Dynamics in Groton from 1956 to 1966; as a mechanical engineer at supervisor of shipbuilding in Groton for a year; and finally, as an engineering supervisor at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center from 1967 to 1993, when he retired.
He received a master of arts degree in business administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1981. During his last few years at NUWC, he worked for and was funded directly by, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He was tasked to conduct one-on-one value engineering meetings with defense contractor senior management to encourage participation in the Navy Value Engineering Program. He authored several books and briefs on the subject, which were utilized in training modules that he developed and subsequently taught to contractors and selected government personnel in the continental United States, as well as in Hawaii and The Republic of the Philippines. In July 1990, he received the Department of Defense Outstanding Achievement Award in Value Engineering in a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He was a gifted musician who “gigged” well into his seventies. He backed up Helen Forrest, Johnny Desmond, Bob Eberle, June Valli and Julius LaRosa. He also led and played in several groups in the local area, utilizing his musical talents to play many different genres.
He was an avid year-round fisherman, an accomplished golfer, gardener, hunter and music teacher for three years, upon his retirement from NUWC. He and Marilyn shared many moments on their boats, fishing as well as trying their hand at lobstering.
From day one, he was a diehard Red Sox fan, ultimately realizing his lifelong dream of seeing a World Series flag flying over Fenway Park in 2004. He was a lifetime member of the New London Lodge of Elks, a lifetime member of the Musicians Union and at one time, a member of the Masons, ASME, SNAME and SAVE (where he was president of the Conn. River Chapter for many years.) He often wrote editorials to The Day when he thought there were inequities that should be addressed.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Robert and his wife, LeeAnn, of Norwich; a daughter, Lori and her husband, Daniel, of North Carolina; four grandchildren, Brittany and Michael Przybyl, Justine and Josie Boska.
He was predeceased by sisters, Joanne, Elaine and Patricia.
Funeral services will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 200 Hempstead St., New London. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 11 a.m., at the church.
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London, is assisting the family with arrangements. www.neilanfuneralhome.com.
Donations in Stephen’s memory may be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church.