Stephen J. Drag

Stephen J. Drag of Chester, NY passed away on Sunday, November 8th 2015 with family and friends at his bedside at the age of 90. Stephen was born on December 27, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, son to the late John and Josephine (Drozd) Drag. He was married to the most loving wife, Adele Jaworski for 45 years until her passing on April 7th, 2007. Stephen loved life and committed himself to helping others at an early age. In 1943 he volunteered to be in the US army to be with his brothers who were fighting in World War II. He was a medic with the 120th Infantry and treated wounded soldiers in many campaigns in Central Europe including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded a Bronze star for the bravery of his actions during bombing runs in Belgium in December 1944 where he went to give aid to those who had been wounded, regardless of the perils from falling buildings, fires and enemy artillery. His courage was credited with saving many lives of both soldiers and civilians. After World War II he studied and received a master's degree in Woodworking from NYU and became a shop teacher in New York City. His dedication to helping others continued as he joined the Knights of Columbus at an early age and spent his remaining years doing charity work on behalf of the Knights of Columbus. He was the proud Grand Knight of the small Morning Star Council #294 in Brooklyn for many decades. With the Knights of Columbus he also joined and became an active member of the Fourth Degree to promote Patriotism and his love for our country. In Brooklyn, he also became an active member and later the president of the 72nd Police Precinct Community Council where he helped build a strong relationship with the Police and the community. Stephen was also a long time parishioner of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Park Slope Brooklyn and spent countless hours working with the church and school. In 1995 he moved to be with his family in Chester, New York and enjoyed his final years in the beauty of Orange County. Stephen will be missed dearly by his family. He is survived by his four children, Stephen J, Drag II; Christopher Drag; Mariana D'Antonio (Peter D'Antonio) and Tina Cordero (Michael Stauff). He has five wonderful grandchildren who survive him, Tiana Cordero; Peter D'Antonio; Christian D'Antonio; Emily D'Antonio and Anthony D'Antonio. He is also survived by his two younger sisters Helen Thompson and Alice Lazewski. He had a tremendous love for all of his nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2015 between the hours of 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM at Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc. located at 139 Stage Road, Monroe, New York 10950. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 12 Noon at St. Columba R.C. Church, located at 29 High Street, Chester, New York 10918. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Orange County Veterans Cemetery, located at 111 Craigville Road. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions in Stephen's name be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Thomas F. Flynn and the staff of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc., 139 Stage Road, Monroe, New York. For directions to the funeral home, St. Columba R.C. Church or to offer an online memorial please visit www.flynnfh.com