Stephen Cysewski

Aug 25, 1945 -

Jul 20, 2020

Stephen David Cysewski of Fairbanks, Alaska, passed away at his home on July 20, 2020, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on Aug. 25, 1945, in Berkeley, Calif., to David Cysewski and Jean Walker. In 1967 he came to Alaska, working as a VISTA volunteer stationed in Shaktoolik. He worked for public service for the next 17 years with various agencies in Anchorage with the greatest impact as the Indian Education Counselor at West High School.

He graduated with his Masters of Liberal Arts from Alaska Pacific University, where he taught until 1991. From 1991 until 2009, Stephen taught at the Community and Technical College, University of Alaska Fairbanks. During his retirement he focused on his passion for photography, www.wanderinginalaska.com. Stephen has a lasting impact with those that he met throughout his life.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Jittinee Cysewski; daughters, Jessica Zaborowski, Elizabeth Hancock and Margaret Rudolf; father-in-law, Sawan Wongthongthiew; stepmother, Janette Cysewski; ex-wife, Rose Cysewski (Elizabeth and Margaret); and grandchildren, Joshua Zaborowski, Garry Hull Jr., Benjamin Bourdukofsky, Michayla and Camyrn Zaborowski, and Abigail and Matthew Hancock. Siblings, Nancy Hanneman, Rebecca Robles, Patricia McKinney-Eixenberger, Marion Mayhead, Dianne McKinney, Ronald McKinney and Cindy Amonson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, David Cysewski and Jean Walker; mothers-in-law, Sangob Wongthongthiew and Theresa Mayac; stepfather, Chuck McKinney; siblings, Kathy Hinrichs Heath, Kit Hinrichs Colbert, Norman Charles McKinney and Lee Cysewski.

Donations can be made to Friends of Creamer's Field. Due to COVID-19, the family is planning services in Anchorage and Fairbanks in 2021. In memory of Steve wander around and take a photo of something you respond to.