Message from Ann Hanson, Silver Spring, MD

I just learned of Steve's passing 2 years ago. My heart goes out to all of his loved ones. Steve wouldn't remember me, but I recall his kind, fun-loving way as my classmate at Guardian Angels School in Cincinnati, OH (4th-6th?); Mike (who played a mean accordion!) was a bit ahead of us. Our dads were colleagues at the Public Health Service, and our folks were fast friends (exchanged Xmas cards into retirement). Sometimes we all picnicked at a leafy Cincy park, where his dad Don gleefully led all 8 of us kids on a hike. Steve inherited that outdoorsy gene! But Steve obviously valued family above all, as the touching video shows. May sweet memories of Steve heal your grief over time.

A candle was lit by Joseph & Jennifer Pachan on November 21, 2017 8:17 PM

A candle was lit by Eric Zeng & Family on November 16, 2017 9:54 PM

A candle was lit by Rose Co on November 16, 2017 1:57 PM

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I am so sorry for your loss, Steve was such a wonderful person. He was a great boss and it was an honor to work for him. He will be in my prayers and thoughts.

Sincerely,
Rose

Message from Jeff Eorio

We are shocked and saddened by Steve's passing, what a great man, a wonderful positive outlook always, he made himself available to us non-tech types with grace and a smile!
All the best to the family, please accept my condolences. Jeff Eorio, San Ramon retiree

A candle was lit by Chio Phanh & Family. You will be missed, Rest in Peace Steve on November 16, 2017 1:39 PM

Message from Terri Sachs

What a beautiful video and tribute to Steve. I'm so glad I was able to share even just a wee bit of his life. I could tell in that short time what a great guy he was!! My thoughts are with you. Love, Terri

A candle was lit by Allison Snow & Family. RIP Steve. 🙏🏻 on August 14, 2017 4:31 PM

Message from Robin & Bill

We are so sad for your loss of the love of your life. It was wonderful to watch You & Steve together, the love & respect you showed for each other is rarity these days, Steve clearly adored you.
I am so glad we were all able to reunite and become close again as cousins. Bill & I really enjoyed the visits here in Grass Valley reminiscing with my dad about the old days with our families while enjoying wine & Italian delights! We felt so welcomed by both you & Steve into your home on several occasions it was as if we had never had a break in the relationship. Steve always had great conversation that included everyone, entertaining & educating all at once. But our travel to Macchia was the best! The family church with the "archives" in the metal cabinet, the wonderful restaurante Charly that opened just for us, the hairpin turns, flat tire and lots of wine & cheese! We won't forget those times together with Steve always ready with a smile, a story & a salute'. His spirit will live on in our memories. We send you our thoughts, prayers & love. Please stay in touch and in our lives.

Message from Marianne Gatchell

What a wonderful man your Steve was in this life. You can tell that by the incredible legacy he leaves. You his loving family will continue to carry on his memory & way of life by living yours to the fullest. Taking advantage of all that this world has to offer & grabbing it by the horns as Steve always did. It's always so much harder for those that are left behind when our loved ones go. Hold tight to his gesto for life & all those amazing memories you've made together . Please know I'm sending big hugs & love to each of you. As well as peace & comfort for your hearts.

With love & friendship,
Marianne Gatchell

A candle was lit by Marianne Gatchell on August 11, 2017 10:06 AM

Message from Steve McArthur

My Dear Cousin,
I’ve known you for virtually my entire life, being a mere 5 weeks older than you. One of my earliest memories of you is waiting… waiting… waiting, and finally seeing that Chrysler pull up on Irene St., and running out to greet you as you all piled out of the car. Another early memory I have is you, Mike and me were at the park. Mike must’ve said or did something that pissed me off. I had a baseball bat, and he started running. Mike was appx. 20 foot away, and I threw the bat, and it twirled perfectly like a helicopter blade, and caught him right in the legs and he went down. I like to think that that really cemented our friendship. I mean virtually the same age, the same name, and I took Mike down.
As time went on, we didn’t really see that much of each other, building our own lives and families, but, you and Carol never missed an opportunity to come down to San Jose, especially at the traditional New Year’s Day get-togethers. You always had a strong sense of family, and that was demonstrated in numerous ways, not the least being your genealogical prowess. All of the research you did on our ancestors is greatly appreciated by many people, and will live on forever. And going through those volumes of the church records at the Chiesa San Nicola di Mira in Macchia Valfortore is also something I’ll never forget, especially the soft feel of that almost 200 year old paper.
And as I mentioned above, your familial sense was second to none. After my mom died, you were the one that stepped up and tried to keep the New Year’s Day tradition going. We were able to keep it going for a few years, but it soon died out. However, some of my most treasured experiences started at one of those New Year’s Day get-togethers. It was at Hal & Patty’s, and Jonee mentioned that we were planning on going to Italy, and you said “we wanna go too”. And with that comment as the foundation, we all planned that first trip to Italy in 2008. And it culminated in that amazing journey to Macchia Valfortore, walking the very same streets that our ancestors did all those many years ago. It was such an emotional watershed moment, I’ll never forget it. And have you to thank for it, because although we wanted to go to Italy, I really don’t know if we ever would have if you didn’t help plan it. And that really was the re-start of a very close relationship, which translated to travelling to all those amazing European locales together. The Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s, The Pantheon, The Pieta, Michelangelo’s David, all those beautiful churches, Evening Vespers at the Duomo, 2 Popes, the Colosseum, that food, that wine, that gelato, Casa di Santa Brigida, Pompeii, Mt. Etna, Capri, The Amalfi Coast, Positano, that $530 meal on your anniversary in Copenhagen, Catherine’s and Peter’s Palaces in St. Petersburg, The B.B. King All-Stars on the Eurodam, Care Package apricot’s from San Jose at the Berlin Airlift Museum, The Berlin Wall, … all amazing places I’ll never forget, and will also always be a connection to you. And not to forget our cherished wine and cheese visits to each other’s homes, the family picture parties at Bill & Robin’s, with Arnie being the primary picture identifier, and your Einstein suggestion of inviting Marilyn and Terry to participate in our Bocce contests. Who would’ve imagined that Marilyn would be a ringer for our team, La Familia.
You signed many of your emails ‘amore a tutti’, well,all that love you sent to everybody is back at you 100 fold.
I may not have told you all of this specifically, but I do feel that you knew it. I hope the tears falling on my keyboard do not short it out so I could finish.
I miss you immeasurably, for many, many things, but perhaps mostly, will miss your laugh.
Travel well cugino.
Love,
Steve

A candle was lit by Vicki Gillin Caputa on August 8, 2017 4:56 PM