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Steven Paxson Obituary
Age 60. Passed away on October 9, 2009 in his Park Ridge home after a short and valiant battle with Pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Marianne (nee Hardwicke); two sons, Douglas Steven (Darsha) and Nicholas David; one grandson, Devin; two sisters, Janis (David) Bianchi and Kimberly (James Glascott) Paxson; one brother, Larry (Karen); one sister-in-law, Donna (Jerry) Bailey; two nephews, Kevin and Paul; one niece, Alissa. Funeral Thursday, October 15, 10:30 a.m. at the RYAN-PARKE FUNERAL HOME, 120 S. Northwest Hwy., (2 blks. S. of Touhy) Park Ridge. Interment Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery, Elgin, IL. Visitation was on Wednesday, October 14. Past President and 25 year member of Snowhunters of Northern Illinois. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society of Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care_Center.
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Memories and Condolences
for Steven Paxson
Mary Kay and Ken Hardwicke
October 28, 2009
Ken and I want to again extend our condolences. We will miss him, especially in the summer at Gilbert Lake. We were so fortunate to get to share and enjoy his last boat ride on the lake in July this year and share the Waupaca,Wisconsin fireworks with him in our driveway. Who could know it would be his last. Summers up here will never be the same without Steve. It was good to hear of the numbers who attended his services, I'm sure he was smiling at everyone. At sometime in all of our lives, he gave something to everyone there, be it help with driving directions (he sure gave us plenty in the Chicago area.) remodeling help, advice on yard work, family issues, etc Steve was there for everyone.
You never know is life. We have to be grateful for what we have and as long as we have it. Fate is unpredictible, and we just don't know how blessed we are until things change. Steve will be missed by all of us, always.
John and Meg Myalls
October 27, 2009
To his family:
We will miss him forever. It still doesn't seem possible that he is gone from us. He kept our famly's homes running, and we will be lost without his help, but it is his friendship that was most precious. Our sympathy to all of you.
Kathy Vana
October 20, 2009
I'm sorry I was unable to attend Steve's wake and funeral because I was out-of-town at the time. I’ve known Steve over 20 years and I thought about him often as I traveled - his great personality, his big hugs, his laughter, his goofy jokes and e-mails, and his patient understanding when I talked to him about problems over the years. He knew when to help me lighten up and when to be serious as we talked on and on. I also watched this gentle man and skillful worker keep an eye on our friends Biff and Jeanne as they grew unable to maintain their home themselves. Steve stepped in as the handyman, keeping everything running without a worry. I was impressed with his style. I enjoyed having him work at my house because I never had to worry about the results, they were always excellent. He gutted and rebuilt a couple of rooms in my house and cleaned up the work area thoroughly every day. I appreciated this consideration. Eventually I would have let him rebuild the whole house. The very few times I saw him in a suit I thought how handsome he looked and how lucky Marianne was! I'm so happy the two of you finally married. My thoughts are with all of the family. Steve will always be with me. His memories bring a smile to my face.
Jackie Grendel
October 19, 2009
To the family,
I was heartbroken to learn of Steve's illness and death. I knew Steve since gradeschool, growing up together in Niles. We were very good friends through high school, and then lost touch. What a wonderful human being! He was gentle, generous, kind, and full of life. As a Hospice bereavement counselor, I know what an awful disease pancreatic cancer is, and lost another old friend to the same disease five years ago. Please know what an impact Steve had on my life, especially my childhood, and know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. With fond memories,
Jackie Welter Grendel
October 17, 2009
Dear Steve,
With all of my heart and sole, I am saying again Ilove you... not only for our love between a brother and sister,Iam saying I love you for the man that you are to me... Ithank you for always being there through my good but as we know alot of bad times.. you always had been my strenghth when I could not find it...your words of wisdom maybe you didn't think I was listening but I took in every word you spoke.I grew up because of your words and wisdom.
October 16, 2009
I'm sorry that I could not attend the Wake or Funeral, because I now live in Green Valley AZ. I have many good memories of Steve, all of them good, most of them from snowmobile club meetings and club trips, in which he kept us loose and laughing with his many pranks, stories, and jokes. I believe the only reason Steve is not with us today,is because God needed another bright star in heaven. My deepest sympathy to Steve's entire family and friends, he will be missed by everyone who knew him.
LeRoy Policky ( former Snow Hunter club member )
Bill & Renee Yeo
October 15, 2009
To the Paxson Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We have known Steve for over 10 years and his ability to see the humor in everything is something that we always admired. He was a geat guy and told interesting stories with the best of them. We will miss him greatly and we hope you can find peace in the fact that Steve has just moved on to the next phase of his life, where he will continue spending his time do what he enjoyed the most - fixing, repairing or constructing something for someone.
Kirk Vistain
October 15, 2009
Steve's Mom, Gloria, introduced me to him one day at Sony in Niles. He was going to do some work on the facility. He and I hit it off immediately, both of us being technos, and we started talking computers and home automation. Through the years I had many opportunities to converse with him on diverse subjects at the Sony Niles facility. I really felt as if he and I were "singing off the same song sheet," and truly enjoyed our friendship. He was a great guy, and the world is a lonelier place for his loss.
Dave Bianchi
October 15, 2009
Steve and I would have our "bro" time on our boat. Just Steve and I a lot of the times, especially boat launch day and boat put away days. By the way, if you ever wanted to predict rain or violent weather, just ask us what day were doing these events. Steve was my captain and first mate, never afraid, always optimistic, weather or high waves be damned. On one of our days when we got serious, I asked him how he knew so much about so many things. His answer was typical Steve and straight forward. Don't be afraid to try new things, don't be afraid to fail, keep an open mind to new things, and most of all, be patient. Take your time, learn as you go, try again if the first time didn't work out. I got a chance to learn this first hand when I worked for Steve for 4 months. Watching the master carpenter work, spending hours a day in the truck with him driving to jobs, some of the best times I've had.Will miss you bro,thanks for being a part of my life.
Your brother in law,
Dave
Gail Thoren Butz
October 15, 2009
We pray that God will give you comfort in this time, and that you will be comforted also by the great memories of Steve.
Gail has been one of Steve's friends since they met at Maine East High School, and Steve was extremely helpful in installing a new kitchen for Gail's mom, Eva in her Park Ridge condo. We have all been impressed with Steve's enthusiasm for life, with Steve's sense of humor, with Steve's skill and hard work, and with his gentle concern for others. We will miss him deeply.
Gail Thoren Butz
Eva Thoren
Stan Thoren, Jr.
Frank Ruffalo
October 15, 2009
To The Paxson Family
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered “Peace be Thine.”
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
You are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again
Steve will be forever in my memories
Love Frank Ruffalo
Lois (and daughter, Paula) Brunner
October 15, 2009
I cannot accurately count the years that we have been Steve's neighbor, living across the street on the corner of Sibley and Park Plaine Avenue. He and my late husband, Bob, and my late son, Gary, often undertook projects together--they all took pride in their workmanship which made their relationship very harmonious. I was constantly amazed at the scope of Steve's knowledge of so many different things and whenever we needed his expertise, he always came to our rescue. His friendliness and humor will long be remembered and we, as so many of his other dear friends, will miss him greatly.
October 14, 2009
With Deepest Heartfelt Sympathy to the Paxson Family.
Jerry and Josie Vittner (friends of Larry)
I will cherish your beautiful talent
Janis Bianchi
October 14, 2009
Our Hearts are heavy as we go through this day. I loved my brother very much. When we were both young...we fought like cats and dogs....as we matured, we grew to understand, love and really respect one another. We could talk about anything that mattered and the things that did not, as well. I would roll my eyes at his long stories....I will miss them greatly. I love you Steve. Your "Favorite" Sis, Jan. (Just Kidding Kim) Larry, Kim and I have promised to stay strong. We will do our best. I LOVE YOU. Jan
Susan/Ron Caulk
October 13, 2009
To Marianne and Steve's family,
Ron and I will miss Steve so much. He did fantastic work for us, everything was always perfect, we will never find any one else like Steve. And we always celebrated the end of a project or the end of the day with a gin or two. He could talk for hours and we loved hearing his stories.
I am so glad we saw Steve at John's funeral, we missed him in Phoenix. Our thoughts and feelings of sympathy are with you. We just have to continue the best we know how to get beyond these incredibly sad moments.
Love,
Susan and Ron Caulk
Cave Creek, AZ
Mary Scheuermann
October 13, 2009
To Steve's Family - Steve was a fixture at AANA for many years and his presence will be missed very much. The last time I saw him was at John's funeral and I was teasing him about how handsome he looked in a suit versus the "usual" jeans and t-shirt he always wore when working at our offices! May God bless him and may your fond memories of him bring you comfort.
Ed & Tammy Olsen
October 13, 2009
As past members of Snow Hunters we always enjoyed the meetings and trips that were planned. The group and the friendships that evolved were wonderful. We will miss Steve very much. Our deepest thoughts are with his family. Our first ride will be for you.
Cathy Borg
October 13, 2009
My memories of Steve are fixing the building at AANA and doing the remodeling at 116 for Insurance Services. He took pride in his work. Steve always had a smile and a good word. He will be missed.
Tina (Strzelecki) Demiglio & Family
October 13, 2009
You will be missed dearly, Steve. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Steve's family.
Judi C
October 13, 2009
I'm so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. I attended Maine East High School with him. I didn't know him well, but everyone that did had all wonderful things to say about him. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. God Bless you Steve.
Fred & Linda Vitek
October 13, 2009
Words cannot begin to express our sorrow. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Steve will be truly missed. AANA will not be the same without him.
Luis and Mirna Rivera
October 13, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during these very sad and difficult times of grief and sorrow.
Dean Strzelecki Family
October 13, 2009
To my dear friend and his family,
Steve, you will be deeply missed. You are a true friend and a wonderful person to talk to and be with. I do know that because of the way you are, you will be looking over all of us who are dear to you as you were to us. God bless you.
The Staff of Ryan-Parke Funeral Home
October 13, 2009
Offering our deepest sympathies during this time.
October 12, 2009
For the short time we knew Steve, we learned what a great person and a passionate snowmobiler he was. We will truly miss him and wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his family.We'll forever treasure the Tomahawk trip of Feb. 2009.
Tim & Joyce Perrin
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