Stephen Joseph Ciraulo

At the young age of 50, Stephen Joseph Ciraulo left his earthly incarnation and joined his spiritual incarnation beside Jesus Christ, his savior and friend, and a chorus of family members and friends who preceded him. He passed away quietly on November 22 at REX Hospital surrounded by his loving friends and family who graciously sustained him during his ordeal with End Stage Renal Failure.

Stephen was born in Danville, PA on February 25, 1960. He was the son of Leonard J. Ciraulo, Muncy, PA and the late Mary Purpuri Ciraulo of Reading, PA.

He is survived by a beloved sister, Sharon L. (Joseph) Majesky of Fleetwood, PA, beloved niece Kathryn E. Majesky and beloved nephew, Joseph C. Majesky, of Fleetwood, PA; a brother David L. (Sandra) Ciraulo and four nephews, Luciano, Nicco, Rocco, and Giovanni, all of Falmouth, ME.

He leaves behind special friends Brenda Yarbrough and Ed Brothers, Raleigh, NC, and his longtime companion, partner, and friend of a lifetime James W. Keene, Raleigh, NC…and the best four legged child, his cat, L.B.

Stephen was an extraordinary man who lived by ordinary means. Humble and grateful for everything he was given by the grace of God. In his early years he was a vocal virtuoso at Muncy High School, having competed on the Pennsylvania Music Educators Associations’ (PMEA) District and Regional levels consistently placing 1st or 2nd every year from freshman to senior year, including earning a spot on the All State Chorus Festival in 1976. In his adult years, he used his voice purely as an avocation and for the enjoyment of self and others.

Professionally, he served this world as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Stephen was a graduate of the Geisinger Medical Center School of Nursing, Danville, PA in 1980. (One of the early parent-child graduates, for his mother Mary graduated from the same school in 1956.).

In 1983 he graduated from the University Health Center of Pittsburgh School of Anesthesia for Nurses. While he was in anesthesia school, he was afflicted with his first bout of End Stage Renal Failure, and was fortunate to receive a cadaveric renal transplant prior to graduation. By the grace of God, this transplant lasted 20 years, and extraordinary feat for a cadaveric renal transplant.

He started his career as a CRNA in September of 1983 at Duke University Medical Center, as a staff Nurse Anesthetist and member of its Call Team. In 1991 he worked at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount, and shortly returned to Raleigh to work for Wake Anesthesiology Associates, Inc., which later became Critical Health Services of NC, Inc. serving the anesthesia needs of the citizens of Wake County and the state of North Carolina. The last few years of his career he was the Assistant Chief Nurse Anesthetist at the Cary Campus of WakeMed. He remained with this company until the untimely reoccurrence of End Stage Renal Failure in December 2003.

During his anesthesia career he also provided anesthesia in a freelance capacity in several rural communities and settings throughout the states of North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

From the time his feet got wet in his career, he also became active in his professional association. He was a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and the North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NCANA) from 1983 until his death. He served on numerous committees with NCANA from 1983 to 1997, including being Treasurer from 1991-1993, Vice President from 1993-1994 and President of the NCANA from 1994-1995. Stephen was also an inductee of the “Friends for Life” of the AANA for 1996.

In November of 2009, Stephen was presented with the 2009 North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists Achievement Award for his contributions to the advancement of the profession of Nurse Anesthesia.

He was multi listed in various Who’s Who from American Nursing, the South and Southwest, in America, in the World, in Emerging Leaders in America, in Science and Engineering, in Medicine and Healthcare, and Young American Professionals.

His quest for learning never ceased. In 1997 he graduated from Ottawa University Kansas City, Ottawa, KS with a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Health Services.

He was honored to have been a member of the Duke University Advisory Board for the Duke Artist Series from 1994-1997, and the Duke University Foundation Board for the Duke Artist Series from 1997-2000.

In 2007 Fresenius Dialysis Centers of Wake County introduced a new program to its patients, to begin a Home Hemodialysis Program. Stephen always looking for a challenge, jumped at this opportunity. In August of 2007, Stephen and his “dialysis partner,” Jim Keene began training and were in the home by September. This was not without challenges and tribulations, but many hours of joy and freedom were brought because of this initial program and opportunity.

He was member of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh where he was involved in the Liturgical Ministry, taught Faith Formation, and was a member of the Adult Bible Study.

Family and friends will be received at Browne-Wynne Funeral Home at St. Mary’s Street in Raleigh on November 26, from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Raleigh, NC on November 26, at 11:00 am, with Reverend Monsignor Jerry Sherba officiating and the Very Reverend Father Salvatore Bushio, Vice Rector, concelebrating, and with remarks of remembrance by Reverend Joey Yow.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Stephen’s life at his home immediately after the service.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Holy Guardian Angel Catholic Church in (Hyde Park) Reading, PA followed with interment at the Gethsemane Columbarium in (Hyde Park) Reading, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the SPCA of Wake County at www.spcawake.org