It is with a sad heart, to announce that Stefan Jan Turzanski, passed away late at night, on Thursday, May 12, 2022. He was already in hospice care with late stages of Huntington’s Disease but, contracted COVID-19 which sped up his passing. Both of his sisters (Alexandria Covieo & Amaraja Jones) were able to be with him, at separate times, in the last 36 hours of his life.
In Pennsylvania, Stefan was born to Francizek (Stefan) & Judith Turzanski on February 14, 1966. The family moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1971. Stefan enjoyed being the oldest of four siblings and was always someone they looked up to.
He took on the “head of the household” role when his father had fallen ill and was in and out of the hospital for a couple of years. Stefan, at the age of 16, took up a job bagging groceries at the local Ideal Market, and then when he was old enough, moving to be a waiter at the Gondolier Italian Restaurant. He never shied away from making sure the family had a place to live, money to buy food, and pay the bills. With his mother receiving the diagnosis of Huntington’s Disease in 1985, he continued to help and support the family. There was never an ounce of resentment or regret for having to step up to the plate of being the man of the household at such a young age. Even after his father eventually passed away on August 12, 1986, Stefan ensured his mother and each of his siblings were taken care of and felt loved.
In the early ‘90s, Stefan fell in love with San Francisco and relocated there for many years. He was a fan of the Japanese Tea Garden, China Town, dancing, and creating short stories & poetry that he sold at City Lights Books. If anyone came to visit Stefan in San Fran, he would give them the grandest tour of all the best sights and unique places to hang out.
Eventually, in 2012, Stefan came back to Colorado when the progression of Huntington’s Disease was too much for him to handle on his own. He spent the majority of his last years at Rowan Community in South Denver. The staff took excellent care of him and he charmed many staff members with his bright smile and sparkle in his eyes.
Stefan is preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his three siblings and many nieces & nephews: Alexandria (Gary) Covieo, nephews, Colton and Casey; Ludwik Turzanski, nieces: Tavia, Natasia, Kasia, and nephew, Cyanne; Amaraja (John) Jones and niece Zia.
Gifts and tributes can be made to the staff at Rowan Community: 4601 East Asbury Circle, Denver CO 80222, Attn: Stefan’s Staff of Caregivers.
You may also provide any donations to either the National: Huntington’s Disease Society of America www.hdsa.org or the local Colorado chapter: HDSA Rocky Mountain Chapter www.hdsa.org/co
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