Eulogy is a Greek word meaning “Praise”.

In some way I think Steve is going to enjoy being praised. I can picture him now … sitting back in a big ol’ Adirondack chair, cracking open a Budweiser, lighting up a Cuban cigar, looking down upon us and soaking this all in. I hope you enjoy this Steve.

Steve’s legacy is truly through his family and friends and through the memories and the stories we tell. He had a unique quality of bringing people together. Some of us that are here today know each other through Steve.

Personally, the thing I admired most of Steve was his sense of humor. He was always in a good mood, jovial, and made me laugh at things I normally wouldn’t laugh at. The last time I spoke to him which was on Tuesday of this week, he said, “Anthony, I have to get down to my goal weight…my high school weight”. We both laughed immediately. If you knew Steve when he was a teenager he couldn’t have weighed more than 130 pounds soaking wet. If you didn’t know Steve then, take a look at his high school yearbook picture and you will know what I mean. So, we laughed about the 130 pounds and we both agreed that a 230-pound goal was more realistic.

First, Steve’s Family…He was at his happiest when he was at family parties surround by all of you, the people he loves. Some recent examples are cookouts at Seabrook or his mom’s 80 birthday party. Sorry, Joan, that must be a misprint, you don’t look a day over 60.

Speaking of his mom, Steve completely adored her. He would bring home flowers for no specific reason or special occasion – just to make her happy. In return, Steve got a roof over his head, a bed to sleep in, and some good home cooking.

As for his immediate family, they were very tight. Known to many of us as the “Fabulous Fam” as Steve liked to call them. Susan, Nancy, Andy and honorary sister Annie, he loved spending holidays and special occasions with you. Speaking of special occasions today is Nancy’s birthday… Happy birthday Nancy! It is just like your older brother to upstage you on what is supposed to be your special day.

Steve loved his extended family as well. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Second Cousins, too many to mention by name - he would make it a point to speak to each and every one of you at these joyous family parties. This is a testament to how he felt about all of you.

You didn’t need to go very far to see Steve with his family. For instance, in the backyard of the house in Somerville on Gorham Street, you could find Steve under the grapevine chatting it up with Uncle Ted. Many others would join in later.

Steve didn’t know his father, Walter, very well because Steve was young when he passed away. What he did know or remember he would speak with admiration. He even showed Walter’s artwork to some of his friends and it inspired Steve to do art too. They are now getting reacquainted.

Steve had a lot of true friends. They would do anything for him, and Steve would do anything for them. Some of Steve’s friendships were uniquely long-term. For instance, he met Eric when they were in the second grade. If you do the math, that is 43 years of friendship! Sorry Eric, the truth is out. People who were guessing 37, 38, know it’s a bit higher.

Joe, Dale, Louie, Dom, Mark, and Jack, Steve met though school or Star Market where he managed the store for years.

Ritchie, Mike, Bill, John and many others, Steve met through friends or at the parking garages Steve managed throughout Boston.

From time-to-time many of these people have been seen coming out of “Ducky’s Dive”. That was the name of the room Steve built down his cellar to entertain friends. The room was soundproof. Or as cousin Diane would say, “not so soundproof!” Carol and Teddy may have heard something too.

Steve had a lot of interests he would love to share with his family and friends.

Like music…he could talk for hours about many, many genres – blues, jazz, rock, folk, big band, and more. He liked to go to the Boston Pops with Mark, to the blues jam at Johnny D’s with Wayne, Joanne and crew, and countless more.

And Movies…Steve could endlessly quote his favorite movies. I once saw Jack and Steve, without using any of their own words, have a 10-minute conversation consisting of just movie quotes. It was something to see.

And Food…Steve’s favorite was definitely his mom’s. He would be known to say “Delicious” or “Home Cooking!” He did like to go to restaurants too – Wednesdays with Ritchie at Pizzeria Regina, Sundays w/ Dom at the Dockside, or Jose’s for a Quesadilla. It wasn’t just about the food – Steve was also there for the waitresses, bartenders and patrons of which he made quick friends.

Camping…There were a lot of legendary stories about camping and I have to say, they ALL are true. Camping with Steve wasn’t as rustic as it sounds. He once brought a toaster over and a video player – there we were eating crunchy pizza and watching movies in the great outdoors! There were also some rowdy times. We probably played the music too loud, we had big bonfires, challenged each other with something called “firewalking” and wrestling matches that could last for hours.

Steve also travelled a lot. He would come back with tons of great stories and always seemed energized by the trips. Like;

·      Alaska and Arizona with the Fam

·      Vegas and Kentucky with Dick

·      Toronto with Joe

·      Graceland with Louie

·      Cross-country with Jack and me

·      Or Scotland for Don and Barb’s wedding

There weren’t many photos because Steve wasn’t much of a poser. But there were plenty of memories and great stories to tell.

I would be remiss if I didn’t speak about another passion of Steve’s, beer. His favorite was Budweiser. In fact, Anheuser Busch personally would like to thank Steve for making it the number 1 beer in the world. Steve did this one beer at a time.

If you were having beers with Steve, he was known to say “While you’re up!” He was like a chess master predicting each and every one of your moves and waiting for a simple mistake – if you twitched or got up for any reason, he would say, “While you’re up!” He would beat me every time.

In conclusion, it is very ironic that a man with such a “big heart” was done in by his heart. Steve, you packed a lot of good times and memories into your 50 years.

We all will miss you.