Stephen "Dorsey" Korbelak

On the early morning of July 29, 2023, Stephen passed away at home in Royal Palm Beach, Florida from pancreatic cancer. Stephen was being visited and comforted by friends and family at the time of his passing. He was 73 years old. Stephen was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on September 26, 1949. He was the only child of Michael Korbelak and Rose (DeRosa) Korbelak, both first generation Americans. Looking to overcome his humble beginnings, Stephen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January 29, 1968 and served as a combat engineer in the First Marine Division in Vietnam where he risked his life daily clearing the roads of mines, disarming booby traps, building bridges and culverts and destroying enemy bunkers and tunnels. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat on April 26, 1969. Stephen was also recognized with medals for deeds of valor and acts of courage/heroism and for meritorious service/achievement. He was honorably discharged on December 13, 1973 and soon after began working as a draftsman at Western Electric while also attending Rutgers College. As a member of the Western Electric Pioneers of Newark youth activities chapter, Stephen and team constructed a wooden castle for the children at the Cerebral Palsy Center of Middlesex County in 1974. Stephen began a new career at ICI Americas, Inc. after a union-led strike forced him to search for income opportunities to support his growing family. He also continued taking college courses and in 1980, he finished his degree at St. Peters College in Jersey City with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. In 1982, Stephen, Teresa and their four children relocated to Edison, in suburban New Jersey. They relocated again in 1991, to South Florida where Stephen eventually began working for Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department until he retired in 2009, but not before earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Safety & Health Engineering from Columbia Southern University. Stephen enjoyed giving back to his community, especially troubled veterans adjusting to civilian life. Stephen and his friend Jerry Klein started the Volunteer Veteran Court Mentor Program at the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in collaboration with the Veterans Health Care Administration, assisting veterans, assessing their needs and supporting them throughout the court process. He also enjoyed fishing with his sons. Stephen was also a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Royal Palm Beach and member of the Knights of Columbus Council 12376. Stephen attained the Fourth Degree, the highest degree of the order focused on patriotism and active citizenship, where he served in various roles including Faithful Navigator (chief executive officer) of Our Lady Queen of Peace Assembly 2709. Stephen is survived by his wife Teresa (Nawrocki) Korbelak; sons Stephen Korbelak, Jr. [wife Marianne Korbelak], Christopher Korbelak [wife Maria Korbelak], Paul Korbelak [missing since December 2010]; daughter Jennifer Korbelak; grandchildren Bryan Korbelak (30), Thomas Korbelak (29), Ashley Korbelak (23), Olivia Korbelak (18), Matthew Korbelak (16). Stephen is preceded in death by his father Michael Korbelak, his mother Rose (DeRosa) Korbelak and his beloved dogs Wolfie, Sweetpea and Wuppy. A funeral mass will be held in Stephen's honor at 11:30 AM on Friday, August 11 at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church, 100 Crestwood Boulevard South in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. A military funeral honors service will immediately follow at 1:30 PM at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S. State Road 7 in Lake Worth, Florida. A visitation is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 10 at Palms West Funeral Home, 110 Business Park Way in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, followed by a wake service at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.