Junius ‘Steve’ Stephenson – May 16

Junius Winfield Stephenson, affectionately and familiarly known as Steve, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2022, with his loving wife of  46 years, Jo, at his side. He was more than 100 years old.

Steve was born in Pelham, NY, and enjoyed reminiscing about The Gang, his friends with whom he and his brother enjoyed playing football, sledding, and setting off fireworks. He was baptized at Christ Church in Pelham, where he served as an acolyte and later became the Director of Acolytes. This was one of the most profoundly meaningful activities of his life. He remained engaged in the Episcopal Church throughout his life, and served on the Vestry at St. Peter’s Church in Port Chester, N.Y. He was a mainstay of St. Luke’s in Haworth, N.J. for 45 years and fulfilled many roles including that of Vestry member, Vestry Warden, Director of Acolytes and Lay Reader.

Steve also derived great satisfaction from his ongoing involvement with the Boy Scouts. After attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, he spent eight years as a Scoutmaster and assistant. He was the Pelham District Commissioner for eight years before becoming Commissioner of the Siwanoy Council in 1956. He was awarded the Silver Beaver for distinguished service by the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America in recognition of his hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication and many years of service.

Steve graduated from Union College with a degree in Civil Engineering. He had a successful career as a mechanical engineer, published numerous papers and received the Medal of Achievement and Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, for which he was a Division Chair in 1996. His leadership was described as “inspiring, resilient and exemplary” as he developed pragmatic solutions to environmental issues. This work included contributions to Congressional subcommittees and input into the Clean Air Act. He designed solid waste-management facilities in many cities around the country.

Steve was always working on a home project, including converting an attic into two unique bedrooms for his children and building backyard decks. He could be frequently seen doing yard work and took much pride in having a perfect lawn. He loved decorating for Halloween and giving children a great fright.

Steve thoroughly enjoyed both the religious and secular aspects of Christmas, in which he took a childlike pleasure. He put up Christmas decorations in his yard until he was 99.

Steve was predeceased by his brother, Walther (Waff), and by his first wife, Anne. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 46 years, Jo; his children Carol (husband Enda), Linda (Lisa), Bob and Patricia; his beloved grandchildren Aoife, Evan and Nicole (John); stepdaughters Marie (Liz) and Diane (Lenny); his sister-in-law Grace (Linda); nephews Roger (Mona) and Bruce (Kelly); niece Emily, and great-grandchildren CJ, Daniel and Emma.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 43 Massachusetts Avenue, Haworth, New Jersey at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2022. It will be live streamed (for information on this please see St. Luke’s Facebook page). In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Covenant House (www.covenanthouse.org) or to The Emphysema Foundation (www.emphysema.org). Thank you.

Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the family.