Stephen J. Nawrocki

Stephen J. Nawrocki, age 82, of Fall River, MA and North Palm Beach, FL, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018, after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Beverly Soja Nawrocki, to whom he had been married for 56 years.

Born in Fall River, the son of the late Stephen and Margaret (Murphy) Nawrocki, he has been a lifelong resident of the city. Steve was a 1954 graduate of BMC Durfee High School and served as Class President for his entire High School career. He received his Bachelor’s Degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Boston University and earned his Masters of Education from Bridgewater State College. He was also a veteran of the US Navy.

Mr. Nawrocki had the distinction of having been a student, teacher, Vice Principal and Principal at James Madison Morton Junior High/Middle School. He also spent five years as the first Principal at the newly constructed Henry Lord Middle School. Having served in the school department for thirty-six years, he eventually became the longest tenured administrator in Fall River Public School history before retiring in 1997.

In September of 2013, the Mayor and the Fall River City Council recognized his dedication to the Fall River Public School System and his commitment to education by naming the Administrative Office Suite at the new Morton Middle School in his honor.

Steve was a longtime member and President of the Durfee Alumni Association, organized many Class of 1954 reunions, and was a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, National Educators Association, and the Fall River Educators Association.

An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of the Fall River and North Palm Beach Country Clubs. He enjoyed spending his summers as a member of the Westport Yacht Club. As he did with his own children, his free time was spent at his grandchildren’s numerous activities including sporting events, recitals, plays, and concerts.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by five children and seven grandchildren; Patricia N. Murphy of Plymouth, MA, and her children Ryan and Cailin; Michael S. Nawrocki and his wife Jennifer of Berkley, MA, and their children Zachary and Emily; Stephen R. Nawrocki and his wife Mary of Medfield, MA, and their children Madeline and Benjamin; Brian E. Nawrocki of Jupiter, FL, and Gregory J. Nawrocki and his partner Jason Bouchard of Fall River, and Gregory’s son Simon; three sisters, Margaret Mary (Nawrocki) Sullivan of Fall River, MA and North Palm Beach, FL; Frances (Nawrocki) Kelley and her husband Mike of Hobe Sound, FL and Julie (Nawrocki) Isidor and her husband John of Upper Montclair, NJ as well as many nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 8:30am from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00am at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover St., Fall River. Visiting hours will take place on Monday, April 23, 2018 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Interment will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Stephen and Margaret M. Nawrocki Scholarship Fund or the BMC Durfee High School Class of 1954 Scholarship, c/o Durfee Alumni Scholarship, PO Box 2519, Fall River, MA 02722. For online registration or directions, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com