Stephen Paul Palinkas, 71 of Uxbridge passed away suddenly on Sunday 8/30/26.

Stephen was the youngest of 4 children born to Mary and John Palinkas and the only child born in the United States after the family had immigrated from Germany. He was raised in Ashland where the family had settled.

Nothing made him happier than being outdoors whether it be fishing, hunting, and target shooting. He had a great group of friends that would travel all over New England to fish and hunt. He got his love of gardening from his mother, and he grew the most beautiful vegetables and flowers. You know you were loved, when he would share his bounty with you.

He worked for many years as the head of maintenance for Framingham Union Hospital and then worked at Polytop in Rhode Island. He was known for his hard work ethic and was very proud of that.

When he returned to MA, he began working as a Mason with his brother-in-law Mario at Ciccarelli Masonry from where he retired.

A true Jack of all trades, there was nothing he could not do. He custom built cabinets, birdhouses and lovingly built the most beautiful fence for his yard. He was always coming up with new ideas and new skills. He could take something out of scrap wood and turn it into a stunning piece.

He would joke the sports that he was good at are the barroom sports, he was a sharpshooter dart player, and expert pool player and loved horseshoes and playing cards.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Camellia of Uxbridge, the love of his life and his constant companion. His cherished daughter Jennifer Merchant and her husband William of FL. He adored being Pops to Jacob, Tyler, Gunner and Sloane Merchant all of RI. He was thrilled to become a great grandpop to Brantley Merchant of RI. He leaves sister Maggie and her husband Larry of Winchendon, MA ( his fishing rivals). His sister Aranka Ciccarelli of Hopkinton. He was the super fun Uncle Steve to many nieces and nephews and many friends that also would call him Uncle Steve.

He also leaves his sister-in-law Christina Luongo and her husband Bob of Hudson, MA and his brother in-law Robert Ciocca of Woonsocket, RI.

He is predeceased by his parents Mary and John, His brother John, his brother-in-law Mario Ciccarelli and his 2 adoring children Eddie and Nichole Palinkas.

Steve courageously fought and beat esophageal cancer, giving his family 13 more precious years with him. His family will forever be grateful to the doctors, nurses, CNAs and caregivers at Dana-Farber who helped make those years possible.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday September 12th at 11AM at the Matarese funeral home, Ashland MA.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Steve to support cancer research and patient care at: 

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284

Or, in Steve's honor, plant a garden, share its bounty with family and friends, and think of him.