U.S. Marine. Fireman. Coal miner.

Stephen “Steve” Karpa is a fighter now, too, since recently being diagnosed with not one, but two, types of cancer.

The Tamaqua man’s family is holding a 1-5 p.m. Nov. 4 benefit for him at the Coaldale American Legion, 105 Second St., Coaldale. Proceeds will help with medical bills and expenses, said his wife, Mary Karpa.

“Steve is kind of to himself and he never really tells me if he isn’t feeling good,” Mary said. “But he said, ‘I’m not feeling good. Something’s not right.’”

Thinking his tremors had something to do with his fatigue, the couple scheduled an appointment with his neurologist.

Doctors found that his tremors hadn’t worsened, and a check for Parkinson’s disease was negative.

But since Steve had begun sleeping 13-14 hours a day, his medical team delved further into his health woes.

“He was working and coming home to go to bed, and then he couldn’t get to work the next day because he was so exhausted,” Mary said.

Four days after the tests, Steve learned he had blood cancer. The couple believes it is linked to his service as a Marine at Camp Lejeune from 1981-87. Cancers have been attributed to contaminated water at the Jacksonville, North Carolina, Marine base.

And then, just over a month ago, Steve learned he had Stage 3 prostate cancer.

“It’s not in his bones yet but until they get his surgery done, which is not until Jan. 15, it could spread,” Mary said.

The diagnoses have hit Steve’s loved ones hard.

“But he’s coping with it,” Mary said. “He says, ‘Hey, at least I’m still alive.’ But I don’t want to lose him. He’s only 60 years old.”

Steve, who is a heavy equipment operator for a local mine, also has severe polyneuropathy in his arms and legs, and severe hypoxia, Mary said.

The fundraiser will feature a basket raffle and 50/50, and between 3-4 p.m., a ton of coal will be chanced off. Mary said local businesses have contributed items for the event, and those wishing to donate may call Wendy at 484-464-1766 or Rosie at 570-728-1930.

The American Legion has chipped in chicken fingers, hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks.

Mary said that Steve is a Coaldale native, and has been a firefighter for the past 38 years with the borough fire department. He also volunteered with the New England Valley Fire Department. He’s also a father of three, a stepdad to two, and “an amazing husband” of 5 years, Mary said. He enjoys camping at Lakewood Park campground in Barnesville and riding motorcycle with Mary and friends.

“Everyone knows him,” Mary said. “I can’t even go to Maryland without someone knowing him.”