Obituary of Steven Lako

Steven Michael Lako, age 78, of Trumbull, Connecticut, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home. This world lost a good and kind man on January 7, 2021. Born in Bridgeport on August 18, 1942, the first child of the late Stephen ("Pete") Lako and Irene Szuch Lako, Steve grew up in Fairfield. As a teenager, he worked at the family store, LB Tire Exchange on State Street in Bridgeport, and developed a lifelong love of cars. He was a member of the Sports Car Club of America and raced his Porsche Speedster at Lime Rock Park and other tracks in New England for 25 years. His son, Steven, has carried on the racing tradition. In retirement, Steve lovingly restored a vintage 1971 Mini Cooper. At Notre Dame High School Steve met the love of his life, Mary Frances Noble, and they married in the summer of 1965 after he completed five years of study at the University Of Connecticut School Of Pharmacy. After working at Lupe's Pharmacy, Steve purchased Nob Hill Pharmacy in Bridgeport in 1975. There he worked seven long days a week taking care of his customers until he sold his business in 1993. He retired in 2009. Steve was a lover of the sea and land. His boat "War Eagle" could often be seen at Pequonnock Yacht Club and later Miamogue Yacht Club, on Long Island Sound heading to the clamming grounds at Cochinoe Island, competing in "The Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth", or volunteering War Eagle as a support boat in St. Vincent's annual Swim Across the Sound. On land, Steve was an Audubon volunteer at Long Beach Park protecting piping plover nesting sites. He and Mary Fran took their children and grandchildren on countless hikes on which he would point out the signs of animals living in the woods adjacent to their home of over 50 years. There were always sea and land vacation activities, including fishing and sports, first with his children and then with his grandchildren in Myrtle Beach, St. John, VI, and on the Florida beaches. Having played varsity football in high school, Steve had a lifelong love of sports, especially the NY Yankees and Giants. His wife, children, and grandchildren shared his passion and their sports included football, soccer, basketball, tennis, horseback riding, swimming, golf, bicycling, and triathlon. Steve leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary Fran; son Dr. Steven Laszlo Lako (Amy); daughter Jennifer Irene Laux (Steven); and five grandchildren, ( who called him "Poppy"), Connor Noble Laux, Michael Patrick Laux, Emma Mae Lako, Anna Leigh Lako, and Lillian Grace Lako. He is also survived by his sister, Susan Lako Dial (Bill) and twin brothers, Donald Lako (Pamela) and Ronald Lako (Mary) and their families; brother-in-law, Ralph H. Noble III (Lucia); sisters-in-law, Sharon Noble Eaton, Kathleen "Kate" Noble (Tom), and Elizabeth "Beth" Pinckney (Clarence), and their families. In addition to his parents, Steve was predeceased by his grandparents, Istvan and Rose Toth Lako, who emigrated from Hungary and settled in Fairfield. One of the great gifts that Steve passed onto his children and grandchildren was his love of the Hungarian culture, food and life lessons learned from his parents and grandparents. He was also predeceased by his brother-in-law, Richard Selden Eaton, Sr.; and his nephew, SSGT Rick Eaton, who died in Iraq in 2003 and for whom he attended many ceremonies in his honor. Steve’s family wishes to extend their appreciation for the care provided by Dr. David H. Witt and Dr. Charles Landau. Calling hours will be held 3-5 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021 in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Stephen's Church, 6948 Main Street, Trumbull on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers friends may consider a donation to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. To sign an online register or to get travel directions, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com