Steven John Dulack died recently 5.20.2021 after a painful and prolonged sparring with mixed dementia. Melancholy yet sanguine…Luck of the draw, he would say when any tragic or joyous life circumstance would present. Medic in Vietnam when the next guy stayed stateside. He was extremely proud of that accomplishment at just 18 years old. So when he realized the poisoning from agent orange caused his dementias you could have knocked him over with a feather. His country wouldn’t do something like that to anyone, ‘would they?” Then when he realized they only denied, denied, denied and left him with no aid and attendance, he cried. But, through tears he said, Luck of the draw. Somebody else got money for being a heroin addict, while he got bupkis. Nothing is sadder than an old veteran crying. When during his career as a Commonwealth employee a Christmas wonderland picturesque state park position didn’t work out… Luck of the draw come si, come sa (Comme ci, comme ça).

He left no heirs, no estate, no earthly possessions but two guitars and a wife of 35 years…(and a cat, Posey who thought he was her man). He viewed many in his life as vultures who swoop in and pick the bones clean and fight over the meager possessions. They, he said, “Give vultures a bad name.” He didn’t want his last act before his next bounce to be the Christmas-yet-to-come death scene from his favorite movie A Christmas Carol. The Alastair Sim version; truest to the book.

Christmas held a particular fascination for him his birthday was, he said, the bellwether announcing the Christmas season exactly 7 weeks till the birth of the 8 lbs. 6 oz. baby Jesus. Christmas always falling on the same day as his birthday. He would pretend to call the pope every November 6 to give him permission to for the head Catholic to begin preparations, and he would pretend to call Albert Boscov to go ahead and decorate his stores and begin the sales.

Steve was quick with a quirky joke and deep guffaw and at times laughing himself onto the floor. One of his favorite sayings was “monkey see, monkey want.” A takeoff on the oft-used phrase, always a sure bet for a smile and giggle and laugh. It was just so funny to hear him describe mass consumerism in such a simple yet funny way. He often recalled finding the WKRP in Cincinnati turkey giveaway episode so funny he laughed into the next show… and each time he relived it as though it was the first airing.

He had a unique outlook on life in general and spend a little time on actual nonsense. He flew or drifted above the mundane and lived in original authentic-to-him life. He wasn’t given to silly romance or grand gestures, but he was a steady Constant. He could be counted on to keep his word; work thoroughly, independently and with a minimum of fanfare. He complained not at all and was not given to argument. He sought adventure in small towns, trout streams, forest walks and picture taking drives. Although proud of his service to the Commonwealth, he truly always had the artists eye. (All you had to do was ask him!) he was after all The Big It; the only pebble on the beach; the almost famous photographer “Etienne duLac'”. His photography was award-winning and often coveted in his wife’s boutique. A Renaissance man for sure, and individualist most certainly…Truly one of a kind, no one could ever compare to him. Someday I might be able to think of a world without Steve Dulack, but I will never be able to think of a world without Steebie.

Steve Dulack – a tangy (sometimes sour) yet sweet offering with a thick protective peel. Steven John Dulack: 1949 – 2021 to infinity and beyond…