Stephen P. Reyda (Steve or Grandfather), 84 of Kings Park, NY passed on April 30th 2014. He was married to the late Anita A. Reyda for 27 years until she tragically passed on Dec 20, 1980. He is survived by: his daughter, Diane and her husband William Glen, and their daughter Katherine; his son, Stephen Andrew and wife Nancy, and their sons and daughter-in-law, Thomas Andrew, Stephen Richard and DJ; and his daughter Janis and her husband Michael Azarela, and their children, Natalie, Matthew, and Thomas Michael. Steve was the oldest child of five born to Andro and Anna Reyda, Elizabeth, NJ. Andro and Anna had emigrated from Jakubany and Stará Ľubovňa in present day Slovakia to find prosperity in America. Growing up in an immigrant family during the Great Depression presented many challenges and Steve had to work after school from a young age at the Singer Sewing Machine Company in Elizabeth to help support the family. Latter on in life, he would strongly advocate for his children to participate in extra-curricular activities at school because of this lost childhood. Known in grade school as "The Professor", Steve was viewed as a diligent student by childhood friends. Coming out of High School, Steve initially had aspirations to become a pharmacist, but financial constraints led him to pursue entry-level work at Kings Park State Hospital where he received scholarship to pursue a career in nursing. It was at Kings Park State Hospital where Steve met his future wife, Anita A Reyda, of Rockville Center. Anita was a nursing student at Brooklyn Hospital School of Nursing and was pursuing course work in psychiatric nursing at the Kings Park campus. Steve and Anita married on his 24th birthday and went on to receive their BS degrees from Adelphi University. Over the next nine years, Diane, Stephen Andrew, and Janis were born while Steve and Anita pursued careers Kings Park State Hospital. Steve would often work nights or evening shifts so the children would be supervised during day. In the mid-sixties, the Vietnam War was escalating and there was strong demand for male nurses in the military. Stephen had missed the Korean War because of his nursing education; but was still wanted to serve his country. He enlisted into the Army at the rank of Captain and went on to serve in active combat at the Evacuation Hospitals at Quy Nhon, and Chu Lai Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. One of Steve's primary responsibilities was to perform triage on incoming wounded soldiers. This was a very difficult and noble task that Steve held very closely. After honorable discharge, Steve returned to his career at Kings Park State Hospital and pursued Masters degrees at C.W. Post University in both Education and Social Work. Steve also began to pursue a career as a funeral director during this period and on occasion, would take his children on 'jobs" in the afternoon. In the end, Steve focused on his career in mental healthcare and successfully held positions of increasing responsibility in social work and case management until his retirement in the late 1980's. With retirement and the birth of grandchildren, Steve began his second career as "Grandfather". He became an integral part of his grandchildren's lives telling stories, cooking meals, teaching, and carpooling to sporting events in Sudbury, MA; Kiawah Island, SC; and Alamo. CA. Soon Grandfather was so successful in this role that he became a surrogate father and grandfather to many family friends on both coasts. He had an uncanny ability to befriend people, make them comfortable, and maybe put a bit of a smile on their face. He will be missed by many; but not forgotten. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Stephen's memory may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project - http://www.woundedwarriorproject.com P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675 THE REYDA FAMILY REQUESTS NO FLOWERS.