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FAIRFIELD, Conn. Deacon Stephen Joseph Sebestyen, a longtime Fairfield resident, died Sunday at the age of 76. Sebestyen was a teacher in Bridgeport for many years and later a deacon at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church.
Sebestyen was born Sept. 3, 1934, in Bridgeport and was raised in Stratford. He later moved to Fairfield and spent most of his life there. Sebestyen served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1964. After leaving the service, he worked in the Bridgeport Public Schools system, teaching at Thomas Hooker and Blackham Schools.
After retiring from teaching, Sebestyen decided to enter the deaconate. He was ordained by Bishop Edward Egan in 2000 and was assigned to Holy Family. He served at times as its director of religious education and as sacristan and also assisted with baptisms and other church services. He was also a member of the parishs Holy Name Society and was once a Grand Knight in their Knights of Columbus chapter.
Sebestyen was predeceased by his wife, Joan Watcke Sebestyen; his brother Emery and sister-in-law Barbara Sebestyen; his son Stephen John Sebestyen and wife Melissa of Brookfield; and grandchildren Clare, Peter, John, Paul and Samuel.
Bishop William Lori celebrated his Mass of Christian burial at Holy Family on Thursday morning. He was buried in Fairfields Lawncroft Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Church, 500 Old Stratfield Road, Fairfield, CT 06825.
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