Stephen J. Gogola

Stephen John Gogola (73) of Parkesburg, PA, passed away on March 12, 2026. His loving wife, Gloria B. (Davis) Gogola and devoted daughter, Rachel (Gogola) Jagoe, were by his side. He was born in Hazleton, PA, the beloved son of the late Walter and Emily Gogola.

Steve graduated from West Hazleton High School. He was a member of the track team as a long-distance runner and javelin thrower. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. After high school, Steve joined the Navy and became a hospital corpsman. He served in the 2nd Marine Division at Camp LeJuene, N.C. He was also stationed at Saint Albans Naval Hospital in New York. His stories of his time there were examples of his calm, kind and caring nature. He was a natural at doing what needed to be done to care for others. After the Navy, Steve worked with a surveyor. He loved the people and the job, but he wanted a family and a career to support them. He used his VA benefits to get his associate’s degree in electrical engineering technology from Penn State University. He began working towards his bachelor's degree but quit to take care of his father who had cancer. After his father passed away, he took a job with PECO (Exelon). He worked there for 31 years, first at Schuykill Station, then Limerick Generating Station and, finally, at Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. He retired June, 2013, to begin his favorite career as babysitter to his 2 beautiful granddaughters Emily (13) and Vivienne (10).

Steve was a devoted husband to Gloria for over 44 years. He helped her realize all her dreams. He put her through college and optometry school. He helped her build and open their business, The Eye Care Connection. He assisted Gloria in caring for and supporting her aging parents for many years. His mother-in-law and father in-law called him the "Golden Boy" because he was always there when they needed someone.

To the people who knew him best, Steve was the definition of a Renaissance Man. He knew so much about so many things. He was an avid reader. He did not just know things; he used his knowledge to help everyone around him. He never said no to a request for help, and he helped many people who never asked. Steve had many interests and activities. He loved books, music, astronomy, cooking, birding, history, current events, politics, football, the beach, the mountains and fishing. He loved animals, especially his puppy Atticus. He loved a good party with family or friends. He loved to laugh and he told great stories. His favorite times were all those spent with his wife Gloria and his children and grandchildren. He often said a perfect day was having a coffee at the kitchen table with Gloria and Rachel and Jacob and a long conversation about some topic of interest.

Steve was very proud of his son, Jacob Walter Gogola, who passed away on February 14. 2026, after bravely fighting cancer for over 3 and a half years. He was equally proud of his beautiful daughter, Rachel, who works so hard to help all of her family. He adored his 5 grandchildren. He enjoyed being present in their lives for all of their special activities or just to play a game with them.

Steve will forever be missed and remembered by his wife Gloria; daughter Rachel; son-in-law Charlie (Jagoe), daughter-in-law Amanda (Gogola); and grandchildren Emily (13) (Jagoe); Vivienne (10) (Jagoe); Adam (8) (Gogola), Anna (6) (Gogola); and Eleanor (4) (Gogola); sister MaryAnn (Robert) Metzger; and brother Walter (Debbie) Gogola. He was loved and will be remembered by many nieces and nephews and cousins and friends.

A private celebration of life for friends and family will take place on April 11th, Steve's 74th birthday. Please contact a family member for details of this event if you plan on attending. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve's memory to smiletrain.org, a cleft lip and palate charity that Steve supported for many years.