Obituaries
March 17, 2026
Stephen M. Blehar Jr.
Stephen M. Blehar Jr., loving husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa
OLEAN — Stephen M. Blehar Jr. passed away Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at the Cuba Nursing Home, surrounded by loved ones after a short illness.
Stephen was born in Salamanca on Jan. 1, 1948, the son of the late Stephen M. Blehar Sr. and Pauline Bzdak Blehar. On Oct. 23, 1970, in St. Mary of the Angels in Olean, he married his true love, the former Rita A. Gowan, who survives.
A 1966 graduate of Salamanca High School, Stephen joined the U.S. Navy and served honorably from 1966 to 1970. He worked for Olean City Schools for years.
His favorite pastimes were football, reading, crossword puzzles and word searches. A NASCAR fan, his favorite driver was Rusty Wallace. He also enjoyed fishing, and was particularly fond of music from the 1960s through the 1980s.
Stephen was a member of the Olean Eagles Club and the St. Stephen’s Club.
Stephen is survived by his loving wife, Rita; his sons, Scott (Kristi), Patrick (Stacey) and Mark Blehar; his grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Will), CeCe, Casey, Justin, Jack and Alex; and his great-grandchildren, Renn, Arden, and Charlie.
He was predeceased by his parents, Stephen Sr. and Pauline.
A memorial service for Stephen will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday (March 20, 2026) at the Guenther Funeral Home, 1303 E. State St., Olean, with a funeral service at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, with military honors to be accorded by the Allegany American Legion.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.
