Stephen P. Wnuk Jr.

“Steve” Peter Wnuk Jr., 87, of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, passed March 12, 2021. Steve was born to Stephen and Julia (nee Bak), on September 22, 1933 in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. He graduated from Chicopee Falls High School and received a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Norwich University in 1956. He married Vivian “Mimi” (nee Dahnke) in 1957, and they resided in various locations in Wisconsin and western Massachusetts, eventually settling in Lunenburg, Massachusetts. Together they raised five children. He leaves his spouse Vivian of 63 years; sister Sally (Wnuk) Barg; children Stephen (Haila), Vincent (Kathy), and John; grandchildren Julie, Paul, Cynthia, Andrea, Rebecca, and Hannah; great grandson Matthew; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by children Margaret Mary, Joseph and Norman (Jean). Steve was an engineer who began his professional life working on nuclear power plant designs. He later became an expert in experimental mechanics and, over the course of his career, contributed many advancements to the field of experimental strain measurement, especially for materials under extreme conditions such as at very high temperature or deep under water. He was cofounder of Hitec Corporation, and later founded his own firm (HPI) specializing in strain measurement products and services. His business took him all over the world to many countries and involved him in many exciting projects. He was eager to share his expertise through technical forums and even taught briefly at MIT. Aside from his professional accomplishments, Steve was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, cycling, living on a lake, fishing, ice-skating, and canoeing. He was a nationally ranked marksman and life-long athlete who played baseball in college and full-contact ice hockey well into his 70s. He conferred his passion for sports to grandchildren through teaching them to skate and bicycling with them often. Steve was a licensed pilot who owned his own plane and enjoyed flying around the country. He was a voracious reader who consumed books and articles covering a wide-range of topics. Friends, family and colleagues will miss his sharp but good natured humor, his life-long enthusiasm for learning, and his indomitable will. Services are private. The family of Stephen Peter Wnuk, Jr. invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in his memory.

Stephen P. Wnuk Jr.

September 22, 1933 - March 12, 2021