Stefan Mikulski

Stefan Stanley Mikulski, known to all as Steve, of Hopkinton passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2025, at the age of 88.

Born on Nov. 5, 1936, in New Bedford, Steve was the son of Bernard L. and Anastayza Macek Mikulski. He grew up in Milton alongside his sister, Theresa. Steve pursued his passion for engineering, graduating from Northeastern University. It was during his college years that he met Carole, the love of his life, at a dance. Their connection was immediate, and he proposed during his senior week before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

After Steve was stationed in Virginia Beach and honorably discharged, the couple returned to Massachusetts. Steve embarked on a distinguished career at Digital Equipment Corporation as employee 591 that lasted more than 32 years. Once retired, he and Carole moved to Florida, where Steve indulged his passion for cooking, beginning a second career as a chef at Cedar Creek Assisted Living. He continued to work until he and Carole returned to Massachusetts in the spring of 2019 to be closer to family.

Steve and Carole shared a remarkable 65-year journey together. A cherished tradition was their lifetime of summers and vacations at Lake Arrowhead in North Waterboro, Maine. There, Steve found solace escaping on his sailboat with a cigar, enthusiastically organizing community spaghetti suppers and blueberry pancake breakfasts or enjoying spirited games of horseshoes with “the gang.”

Steve was a man of many talents and interests. He was a wonderful cook, a dedicated chess player and an avid gardener who found immense joy in nature and the outdoors. He had a particular fondness for old Westerns, war movies and action films, with James Bond and “Star Wars” being among his favorites. A passionate photographer, he often was the one behind the lens, capturing countless cherished family moments. Those who had the pleasure of meeting Steve often remarked on his dapper style and his playful sense of humor.

Above all, Steve was a devoted husband, a loving dad and a cherished dziadziu. He possessed an incredible work ethic, rarely spending a day relaxing. He and Carole were blessed with a large and loving family, including eight children, 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Together, they were strong advocates for children, serving as foster parents for over a decade and warmly welcoming more than 20 children into their home.

Steve was preceded in death by his beloved Carole in 2023. He is survived by brother-in-law Steven (and Linda) Olsen of Negaunee, Michigan; children Chris (and Laurie) Mikulski of Milford, Larry (and Ellen) Mikulski of Burlington, Janet (and Daniel) Messcher of Live Oak, Florida, James Mikulski (and Noreen Falco) of North Waterboro, Maine, John (and Sylvia) Mikulski of Welland, Ontario, Canada, Laura (and Bruce) Connolly of Hopkinton, Charlene Fichman of Springvale, Maine, and Spike (and Lisa Reitman) Mikulski of North Scituate, Rhode Island.

All are welcome to join in a mass celebrating Steve’s life at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Southborough on Sept. 15 at 10 a.m.

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.