Steve John Tomko

Steve J. Tomko passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 19, 2023.  He was 86 years old.

Born in Manville, NJ on December 31, 1936, he was the son of the late George and Elizabeth (Matyk) Tomko. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Maryann Tomko, daughter Lisa Nagel and sibling Frank Tomko. Steve served in the Army from 1955 – 1957 and was stationed in Korea. He married his grammar school sweetheart Maryann in 1958. Steve worked for many years as a tool and die maker, and finished his career as a tooling manufacturing engineer with Trane, Inc.

Steve and Maryann retired to Sun City Bluffton, SC in 2002. He was a communicant of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Bluffton, and a very active member of the Knights of Columbus there, achieving 4th Degree Knight status. He was very devoted to the Blessed Mother and was instrumental in starting the living rosary at the church. He was also a member of the Sun City Car Club and volunteered for over 19 years at the Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival. He also volunteered at the Discovery Museum in Hilton Head.

Maryann and Steve enjoyed traveling the world experiencing history, diverse cultures, and cuisines. He was a devout Catholic and went on several pilgrimages, including the Holy Land, Fatima and Lourdes.

Steve had many passions in his life, but his greatest joy was his family. He looked forward to spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family, especially performing his magic tricks. He was known for his endless energy, positivity, and creativity.

One of Steve’s hobbies was his classic car, a red 1952 Mercury Monterrey convertible, which won the Chairman’s Award at the 2022 Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival. He also loved the outdoors and could be seen quite often gardening and attending to his many flowers in and around his yard.

Steve leaves behind his loving and devoted son Bruce Tomko and wife Andrea, son-in-law Tom Nagel, as well as 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren: Tyler Nagel, his wife Allie, and their children Annie and Trey; Troy Nagel, his wife Amanda, and their children Caden and Colton; and Mark Slater (son of Andrea).  He is also survived by his sister Marge Iarkowski, sister Betty Ann Hoff and her husband Harry, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.                                                 

Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, followed by a Celebration of Life Mass at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Bluffton, SC at 10:30 am, Friday, November 10, 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honor may be made to St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 31 St. Gregory Drive, Bluffton, SC 29909, or Knights of Columbus Council #12263 of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 31 St. Gregory Drive, Bluffton, SC 29909.

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