UPDATE: The Wasik family has posted the following on their business’s website:
Dear Friends,
It is with our deepest regrets and sympathies that we inform you, our friends and loyal customers, that Steve Wasik passed away early Monday morning. He was not only the captain of our ship, but he was the anchor, the rudder, the sail and the wind. It goes without saying that this Christmas week will be especially difficult for our family.
Naturally, our store is extremely full of perishable inventory at this time and we have many more deliveries scheduled to arrive this week from other small businesses that depend on us to sell their wares. Because of this, we have chosen to rally together as a family and remain open this week. We ask that you be understanding of any glitches in the system this week and we hope you can rally with us.
While we are mourning a profound loss and may not be our jovial selves behind the counter, please know that our entire family wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and that we hope you have time to reflect on what is really important this time of year, family.
Sincerely,
The Wasiks
Steve Wasik, who opened Wasik’s Cheese Shop in Wellesley Square in 1979 with his wife Carol, died Monday at the age of 62. A note on the door of the cheese shop alerts visitors that the business is closed due to a death in the family.
Wasik worked in the cheese business from his childhood days and took a job as a VP at a big cheese company that introduced Americans to European cheeses, according to a history of Wasik’s on the shop’s website. Wasik opened the Cheese Shop to create a business that would allow him to spend more time with his family, and Wasik’s is a true family affair, with sons Brian and Brad playing key roles in helping to keep Wasik’s old timey feel but also giving it a modern online presence.
The shop was recognized in the 2010 Best of Boston listings from Boston Magazine and regularly receives rave reviews from visitors.
Steve Wasik, who lived in Dover, was a recognized expert on cheese and wine, and was to have presented a seminar on matching wine and cheese at next month’s Boston Wine Expo.
Wasik’s customer Ellen Scott wrote to us that: “Steve to me was the face of Wellesley. He was the happiest, most positive force. I can’t believe this has happened and especially at this time of year when people would stand in long lines to get holiday goodies and never be bothered by the wait as Steve kept everyone entertained. This is a profound loss.”
We pass along our condolences as well.
A funeral mass will be held at Most Precious Blood Church, Dover on Tuesday, Dec. 28. Visitation at the George F. Doherty and Sons Funeral Home in Wellesley will take place Monday Dec. 27, 4-8pm.
More from Wasik’s on Facebook, where customers and friends are sharing their sympathies and memories.
Just this past weekend Steve was giving my dad and my husband an informative, entertaining, and delectable “tour” (and sampling) of European cheeses. As always, Steve was exceptionally warm and witty. He asked my dad to “hurry up and take his (gratis) pate so that the paying customers in line could make it to the counter.” That was Steve.
The passing of Steve Wasik is very sad news. He will be sorely missed. A man in love with cheese is a saint. About 28 years ago as a newcomer to Wellesley, I found myself rushing around late one afternoon in search of creme fraiche for the finishing touch on a recipe. Clerks at one store after another shrugged. I finally realized there was this cheese shop in Wellesley Square. It was getting dark. Steve was alone behind the Wasik counter and about to close for the night. I told him of my misadventure and I expressed my sincere hope that he could help me. He reached into his case and handed me a small tub of creme fraiche, more than anyone could have needed. I was overjoyed. “I’m closing up. Take the whole thing. And the next time you’re looking for anything in the cheese family, you know where to come.” What a guy! From that moment on, I became a customer for life. Steve Wasik was one of a kind. A lovely, wonderful kind.
–Arnie Reisman