Retired deputy tree warden dies
GREENWICH — Stephan Gospodinoff Jr., a naturalist and educator who worked to preserve trees and foster an interest in the outdoors, has died.
Gospodinoff, Greenwich’s deputy tree warden, died at the age of 59 on Dec. 7. He retired in 2021 after 34 years of service with the town.
According to his obituary, Gospodinoff was born on July 29, 1963, to the late Stephan and Anne (Boccuzzi) Gospodinoff and was a longtime Cos Cob resident. He attended Greenwich schools. He started his career with the Town of Greenwich in 1987 as a tree climber and “ascended through the positions in the Tree Division with hard work, devotion and confidence.”
He was promoted to foreman, supervisor, operations manager and deputy tree warden, the position from which he retired. He encouraged, promoted, and supported professional training, improvement and certification for Tree Division staff, his obituary reads.
“Steve was an avid hunter and fisherman, learning the love of outdoors from his father. His dedication to his town had no limits, he would often to go the schools and teach children about being an arborist,” his obit reads. “Since he was young, Steve had a love for animals. In his line of work he would often find nests of squirrels, racoons or woodpeckers. He would eagerly take them home to nurse and release into the wild when they were ready.
Godpodinoff is survived by his wife Deborah; a daughter, Heather Kossluk; a son, Michael Gospodinoff; a sister, Jacqueline Gospodinoff; three grandchildren and three stepchildren
A celebration of life will be held, but details were not immediately available.