Stephen F. Royka of North Truro died at home in his sleep on April 24, 2023. He was 85.

He was born on April 7, 1938, in Rochester, N.Y. to Stephen and Catherine (Smahol) Royka. After high school, he attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating in 1960 with an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering.

While working as a program manager at Xerox, Stephen created and initiated, without his supervisor’s approval, a course that taught Xerox employees how to become better managers. The popular class continued even after his superiors found out about it because it was so popular.

Stephen left Xerox in 1981 to start his own firm as a management training consultant, with Xerox becoming his largest customer. The essence of the course he developed years earlier is still being taught today.

He was affectionately known as “Poppy” by his grandchildren, and he was renowned as “The Captain” to family and friends. A captain’s hat, mustache, beard, and pipe were his signature style for decades while vacationing on Cape Cod.

The Captain’s persona extended seaward with his love of fishing, casting from the shore when the “blues were running,” and oystering along the sands of Truro and Wellfleet.

Stephen was a resourceful tinkerer, fixing things Robinson Crusoe-style with whatever scrap pieces he had available. He also dabbled in an eclectic mix of hobbies like stained glass, mushroom foraging, bonsai growing, and beekeeping.

He enjoyed great food and gained some cooking prowess over the years, specializing in breakfast dishes and creatively combining whatever was in the fridge.

His canine kids, golden retrievers Brandy and Ginger, whom he pampered with praise, pretzel treats, and beach walks, gave him great joy.

In retirement, Stephen wrote a memoir for his loved ones. In it he states, “My family is the most important thing in my life — having helped to bring four great sons into this world has been my life’s greatest achievement and proudest accomplishment — they are my legacy.”

He is survived by his “superhero” wife of 40 years, Margaret A. Royka of North Truro; his sons, Stephen Royka of Fort Myers, Fla., Mark Royka of Bel Air, Md., David Royka of Fairport, N.Y., and Matthew Royka of Nashville, Tenn.; his sisters, Lorraine (Royka) Barcomb and Louise (Royka) Strassner; and eight grandchildren: Stephen Royka, Nicholas Royka, Catherine Royka, Chauncey Espinosa, Caden Royka, Roniehtakéhte Royka, Max Royka, and Luke Royka.

A memorial service was held on May 20 at the Church of the Assumption in Fairport, N.Y.

A celebration of Stephen’s life will be held at the Truro Community Center, 7 Standish Way, North Truro, on July 21, 2023, at 1 p.m. All are invited.