OBITUARY: Stefan Czerkas, 18, honors student (04/18/99)

OBITUARY: Stefan Czerkas, 18, honors student

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Stefan G. Czerkas, an 18-year-old honor student at Boca Ciega High School, was killed in a car accident north of Palmetto, Fla., on March 17.

Initially declared missing, Mr. Czerkas was found dead two and a half days later in his car, which ran off Interstate 275 in Manatee County. The overturned car, concealed by brush, was finally spotted by a lawn cutter working along the interstate highway. In the interim, family and friends searched the stretch of highway between Sarasota and St. Petersburg retracing Mr. Czerkas' route countless times in an effort to find him or any trace of him. At the time of the accident Mr. Czerkas was en route home to St. Petersburg from Sarasota, where he was visiting his friend, Tanya Guran of New York.

The story was given detailed coverage in the St. Petersburg Times, initially alerting readers to the missing teen, and then reporting on the accident and its victim. Police investigators concluded that Mr. Czerkas probably fell asleep while at the wheel.

Stefan Czerkas was born in Cleveland on September 26, 1980, the son of John and Olya Czerkas. The family moved to St. Petersburg in 1983 from Lorain, Ohio.

A senior honors student in the Boca Ciega medical magnet program, Stefan last decided to plan for fall enrollment at the University of Southern Florida in Tampa. His expressed area of interest was in engineering/bio-engineering,

For the past five years Stefan was a volunteer at the All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg and for the past three an officer in the Medical Explorers organization, which organizes volunteer students as well as programs for students to learn about medical careers and hospital positions.

A person who enjoyed being involved, Stefan was a model Scout who achieved Eagle Rank at Post 263 in St. Petersburg. He also worked as a camp counselor at the Ukrainian National Association estate, Souyzivka, in Kerhonkson, N.Y., where the Czerkas family enjoyed going each year. The entire family belongs to UNA Branch 377.

A skilled swimmer, Stefan was on the school's swim team and also worked as a lifeguard and water safety instructor at various locations in the city.

At the wake, the deceased, dressed in a Ukrainian embroidered shirt, was honored with a Boy Scout honor guard. In attendance were numerous teachers, fellow students and friends who came to bid farewell and express their love and esteem for Stefan.

Stefan is survived by his parents, John and Olya Czerkas; brother, Marko A.; maternal grandparents, Stefan and Kateryna Szuja, of St. Petersburg; and paternal grandmother, Pauline Czerkas, of Northport, Fla.

Funeral services were held March 24 at Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church with the Rev. Mitred Matthew Berko officiating, followed by interment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

A scholarship fund in engineering has been established in Stefan's memory. Checks, with the notation "Stefan G. Czerkas Scholarship," may be sent to: University of South Florida Foundation, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., EMB 118, Tampa, FL 33620-5350.

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