Professor Ostap Stromecky, Ph.D., 90, of Huntsville, passed away Saturday.
My Grandpa! I love him so much. He’s from Ukraine! Escaped the KGB! Escaped the Nazi’s! Not even a teenager he spoke five languages and spoke German while explaining to the Nazi Soldiers that they were German and lost their papers in a storm the night before in order to escape! A little kid leading his family through hell on a horse and buggy! Arrived here in New Jersey. Sang in a really popular choir and wrote music. Some of the vinyl is at my grandparent’s house. Drafted and became a Marine and fought in The Korean War. Played pro soccer. Went to college at Murray State in Kentucky where he met my Amazing grandmother and was the kicker for the football team before they realized that he was ineligible because he’d played pro soccer before college. He was hitting 70 yard field goals at practice! Could’ve went to the NFL, but turned down offers to coach and teach at University of Alabama in Huntsville. (UAH) In the 60’s, there wasn’t soccer in Huntsville! Pee Wee Football was everywhere. Once my grandpa changed the program at UAH, soccer was big all of the sudden and little league soccer was born in Huntsville! If not for him, soccer around here wouldn’t be the same. He’s a Hall of Famer, too! Got the picture up at the courthouse and that’s surreal to see. His teams dominated everybody! He traveled all around recruiting players that were special! And he worked as hard as they did. Exercising with them. Running laps with them. Unreal! Plus, throughout the years of coaching he was getting degree after degree after degree! Dr. Ostap Stromecky! The last class he taught was Russian after he officially stepped down as head coach of the soccer team. He retired in the mid 90’s! He wrote several books. He had two sons that had kids of their own and was an amazing grandfather! He was also a handyman. Mr. Fix it! He was always building or adding on to his house and doing it himself. He could do it all. Physically and mentally very, very strong. He was very Go, Go, Go! Always doin’ something. Very Active and Old-school! A Man’s Man! A Legend! A Hero! A Gift! I’m beyond blessed to have had him in my life! He would do anything for me! Family was his purpose! He helped out every person in the family if they needed it. He and my grandmother both always said I Love You and I always said it back and we all knew we meant it. He didn’t grow up with that being said a lot and his family wasn’t big huggers. Once his journey as a Grandfather started, he began to say that a lot more. Big hugs goodbye was the norm. He truly had a loving and caring family and he knew it. He was truly the classic image of a wonderful grandfather and he was always there! Moreover, he lived for his wife more than anything. They took care if each other, but he really would go out of his way to take care of her. Especially in the later years. I’d go over there during a period of time when she was ill or recovering from knee surgery and he’d be cooking her dinner and bringing it to her in bed. So much love it’ll make your eyes start to water up and you’ll get a lump in your throat. Truly a wonderful man and he will never be forgotten. There’s so much more he did and his story seems like it’s unbelievable sometimes. Truly a Forrest Gump type of a journey. From detailed stories of his youth, escaping the KGB and escaping the Nazi’s and witnessing horrific acts by them that were absolutely insane, War stories from Korea, Early married life when my dad and uncle were being raised in Kentucky before they moved to Huntsville in the mid 60’s. Sports stories! So much more. You’re forever apart of our story now, Grandpa! I love you! The past 91 years we were lucky to have you! You’re a true inspiration! You’ll live inside our hearts and minds forever. Thank you for everything!
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Ann Stromecky; sons, Jimmy Stromecky (Pat) and Danny Stromecky (Lori); three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three nieces; and one nephew.
A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Maple Hill Cemetery.
