Stephen Allen Hyska

He was born in Marquette on November 9, 1965, to Fran and Carole (Aldrich) Hyska. As a young boy, he loved fishing and acting as a bat boy for his dad’s softball team. At the age of five, he moved to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. He had a very active childhood filled with beaches, swimming, and many friends. At age 15, he moved to Tuckerton, NJ, where he lived for several years and enjoyed playing electric guitar in a garage band with friends. He relocated several more times during his life, spending most of those years in Los Angeles, CA, and Hampton, VA, before coming full circle and returning to Marquette.

Stephen most recently worked as a long-haul truck driver, enjoying both the solitude and training new drivers. He was also a foodie, and loved sampling the local cuisine in cities all over the U.S. Prior to that, he was a commercial diver, laying pipelines at the bottom of the ocean. In his younger years he held a variety of occupations, such as music school student, bartender/bouncer, diver for a treasure salvaging ship in the Bahamas, and while in LA even had a stint as a jello-wrestler!

He loved spending time with his family, especially his daughter. There are many great photos and memories of them fishing, him teaching her to swim, and just hanging out together. He was an animal lover, and had an especially soft spot for his daughter’s cat, Mittens.

When visiting with his niece and nephews, he always had fun goofing around with them and making them laugh. He was an amazing and creative cook, and loved cooking for his family while home in Marquette. He had the ability to make a meal out of seemingly nothing. In fact, he managed to somehow create an Italian dinner in the middle of a hurricane in Virginia, without power, by using his turkey fryer in the garage.

Stephen is survived by his beloved daughter, Emma Grace; former wife, Susan Thompson Hyska; father and stepmother, Fran and Susan Hyska, all of Marquette; sisters, Chiara (Chris) Petrucci of Florida, and Jennifer (Steve) Neill of Georgia; brother, Jason (Bridget) Hyska of Texas; niece, Chloe; and nephews, Conor, Spencer and Cian; uncles, Don (Sarah) Hyska and Bob (Judi) Hyska of Green Bay; and special cousins, Karen Aldrich Ely and Diane Aldrich Crill. He also leaves behind many cousins, longtime friends, and bonus family members who remember his larger-than-life personality and sense of humor with great fondness.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carole Aldrich Petrucci; stepfather, Mario Petrucci; uncle, Bruce Aldrich; aunts and uncles, Jerry and Mariann Hyska, Roger and Sandi Hyska, and Ron Hyska; grandparents, Maurice and Grace Aldrich, Evelyn Hyska Sassman Sharp, Nick Sassman, and Michael Hyska.

Gatherings to celebrate Stephen’s life will be held this summer in both Marquette and the Bahamas. Blaney Funeral Home, Green Bay, WI assisted the family. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

A college fund will be set up for Stephen’s daughter, Emma. For those wishing to contribute, please send to Fran and Sue Hyska, 217 Candace Drive, Marquette.