STAFFORD, Va. — A dedicated emergency dispatcher and call center trainer in Stafford County has died after a long battle with cancer.
Nicholas E. Stepaniak, 31, died Saturday at his home in Spotsylvania County.
A long-time public servant, Stepaniak worked as the assistant manger for the Stafford County 911 emergency call center.
In 2010, Potomac Local News featured Stepaniak after he was recognized as the top emergency call center trainer in all of the U.S. He also shared his story of adversity of not only battling cancer, but also of the effects of a car crash he was involved in the day after Christmas in 2009 in Stafford County.
Stepaniak’s family made is his obituary public today.
A wake will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home chapel.
A reception will follow at the Stafford County Public Safety Center, 1225 Courthouse Road.
More from Stepaniak’s obituary:
Nick was a man of great character who was driven by the desire to serve. He was born in New Jersey where, as a young adult, he found his passion for public service while volunteering as an EMT, and later in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he served as the assistant EMT chief. Nick then moved to Fredericksburg with his wife, Brandy, to be closer to family and began his career at the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.
He pursued his passion to serve by becoming the assistant manager for the Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Communications /911. In 2010, Nick was recognized and received national honors for his work, receiving the National Training Coordinators Award through the Association of Public-Safety Communications International Inc.
Nick’s can-do attitude was far and above the best. Even during his worst days while receiving chemo, he faced his health challenges head-on. The impact Nick has left in Stafford was what one would expect to see from the greatest of men. He was, in the eyes of his public safety family, a most dedicated and hardworking individual. Always contributing. Always moving forward. Always wanting to help others. Always wanting to do more.
Nick loved life and touched the lives of many who were blessed to know him. His optimism through adversity was a testament to his character. He had a positive impact on everyone he came in contact with. He was driven by the desire to help others. Nick was a devoted and caring husband, son, brother and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Brandy; dog Jersey; parents Walter and Lubow; sisters Vera and Christine; grandmother Daria; godmother Irene; mother- and father-in law Marion and Luke; godson Mykola; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; and the entire Stafford County 911 Center family. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; uncle Jurij; and his godfather, John.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Nick E. Stepaniak Memorial Foundation, c/o Larysa Rosemann Esq., 6931 Arlington Road, Suite 200, Bethesda, Md. 20814.
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