Wilder, VT - Stephen "Steve" Geratowski, 60, a resident of Wilder since 1977, passed away at his home. Mr. Geratowski has been living with cancer since 1997.

Stephen was born September 22, 1950 in Lynn, MA to Edward and Eleanor (Buckley) Geratowski. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in Lynn in 1968 and the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester in 1972. He received a Master's Degree in Special Education from Keene State College in 1988.

Steve married Kathleen Dyer in Revere, MA September 18, 1977. She passed away June 18, 1991.

On June 30, 1995, Steve married Sandra (Woodard) Leonard in White River Jct., VT

Steve was a committed Special Education Teacher for 34 years. From 1977 until his retirement in 2008, he taught at the Lebanon Junior High School, where he was blessed to work with many highly skilled teachers and administrators. Coaching young people was a great pleasure for him and during his first ten years at LJHS he coached football and baseball.

Steve was a member of St. Anthony's Parish in White River Jct., VT where he was a member of the Folk Choir until the onset of his illness in 1997.

Steve was a member of the Southern Vermont Baseball Umpires Association for many years. He umpired high school, middle school and summer league games throughout the Upper Valley and enjoyed this a great deal.

From 1991 until his death, Steve coached girls youth hockey in Hartford, working as both Head Coach and Assistant Coach. During this time he coached at all age and ability levels from U-12 through U-19. He took great pleasure in "his girls" and enjoyed following their hockey careers as they moved on.

An avid sports enthusiast, Steve enjoyed cheering for the Boston Red Sox and always looked forward to the coming season. He also loved watching his daughters' athletic games, very rarely missing any.

Near the end of his life hew was blessed to spend time with several long time friends and held fond memories of sitting on the deck swapping stories and reminiscing. He received a tremendous amount of love and support from his community, for which he was grateful and deeply humbled.

Steve's greatest love and dedication was his family. In addition to his wife Sandra, he is survived by three daughters of whom he was greatly proud: Anne Geratowski of San Luis Obispo, CA, Mary-Kate Geratowski of Richmond, VA, and Pamela Leonard of Claremont, NH. He also leaves several cousins, aunts, uncles and many good friends.

Friends may call at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., Monday from 2-4 and 6-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10AM at St. Anthony's Church with burial following in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery both in White River Jct.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hartford Girls Hockey, Attn: Robin, 37 Highland Ave, White River Jct., VT 05001 or the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.