Stephen Sigmund Dyro

PORTLAND – Stephen Sigmund Dyro, 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Portland on March 23, 2026.

Stephen was born on Dec. 7, 1946, to Sigmund Stanislaus and Mary Agnes Dyro in Portland, Maine. He graduated from Portland High School in 1965 and went on to attend colleges in Iowa and New Hampshire. Upon graduation from college, Stephen joined the Peace Corps and served in Oman. Captivated by the people and the land he extended his stay and went on to serve as an English instructor with the Oman Royal Military – the beginning of a lifelong vocation and a lifelong love of the world’s cultures.

Stephen returned to Maine and devoted more than two decades to teaching English to immigrants and refugees at his alma mater, Portland High School. While on sabbatical, Stephen went abroad once more, teaching English in China and Japan where he cultivated a deep appreciation for Asian cultures.

Stephen was, in every sense, a Renaissance man. He was fluent in Arabic, and spoke Mandarin, and Japanese, and dabbled in French, Spanish and Polish. He collected art from his travels across the globe – paintings, weavings, and sculptures filled his home with the beauty of far-flung corners of the world. His rich, vibrato singing voice sent goosebumps through audiences and colleagues at many graduation ceremonies. His passion for and encyclopedia knowledge of wine was legendary. Stephen was also a gifted cartoonist, actor, gardener, accordion player, and a snazzy dresser.

Stephen is survived by his beloved wife, Nora Dyro; his cherished daughter, Sofia; his brother Joseph (Elizabeth); nieces, nephew, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his older sister, Dr. Frances Dyro.

The family extends special and heartfelt thanks to Joe and Luke of Northern Light Home Health Care and Hospice for the compassion and care they showed Stephen in his final days.

Stephen Dyro lived with curiosity, purpose, and joy – and the world is a richer place for his having been in it.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Sunday, March 29, 2026 from 3 – 5 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 10 a.m. at St. Louis’s Polish Church, 279 Danforth St. Portland. Interment will follow in New Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

Please visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to view Stephen’s tribute page and to sign his online guestbook.