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Steven McDermott Obituary
Steven Francis McDermott
Resident of Monterey
Born 8-29-56, passed away Sunday Nov. 7 in Monterey, California. A kind and hardworking man, he was preceded in death by his father, Francis Peter McDermott, and by his wife Marianne Stone McDermott.
Steve worked for 30 years as a mechanical engineer in the semiconductor business, lastly for MRL Industries.
Steve enjoyed all outdoor activities, golf, tennis, hiking, climbing, and recently went on a hunting trip with his brother John and his sons. Steve was known primarily in our family as 'Uncle Steve' endearing himself to each of his 13 nieces and nephews.
He was a loving son to his mother, Irene Kuhn McDermott, visiting her every Thursday for supper. A loving kind brother to his big sister Linda, whom he recently visited in Texas. A loving brother to his little sister Mary of Wasco, CA. And the closest of brothers with Jim, Jeff and John. He was dearly beloved and will be missed by all of us as he crosses over to his eternal reward with Christ and our beloved ones whom have gone before.
Visitation will be Thursday 4-8 with a vigil service at 7 pm at the Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, 710 Willow St., San Jose. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday at 1pm at Queen of Apostles Church, 4911 Moorpark Ave., San Jose. Burial will follow at the Los Gatos Memorial Park.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Steven McDermott
Jill Thomas
November 15, 2010
To Irene and family,
I am thinking of your whole family during this difficult time. My words and feelings are hard to express, but, I do know that I feel very sad and sorry to hear of my cousin's passing.
I can only remember happy and fun times with my cousin, Steve, as he was truely an Irish McDermott in his laughter, smiling face, quick wit and ever gentle soul.
He will be missed but never forgotten by all of his cousins, aunts and uncles from the midwest.
Take care and God Bless.
Jill
Mike Kelly
November 15, 2010
Steve was a pleasure to work around, he always had a nice thing to say to put a smile on our faces. He will be sorely missed..
Ross Meiklejohn
November 15, 2010
To Irene and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Steve's sudden passing. He was a kind person and always had a smile. Our prayers are with you.
Ross and Annie Meiklejohn
November 13, 2010
To Steve's family, friends, and all who knew and cared about him,
I'm very sad to learn of Steve's recent passing.
Like many others, I became friends with Steve in the late 1970s. I'm pretty sure that my friend Kieran introduced us. And though I didn't call him Jake, I was certainly aware of his endearing nickname.
I mostly associate Steve with his precious '53 Chev, and its three-on-the tree shifting. I don't think I've ever met anyone who loved his car that much.
Even in our youth, I could tell how much Steve also loved his family, and how much they loved him back. And that includes his Iowa cousins who came out to California to visit him back in those days.
What a loss for all of us.
With deepest sympathy,
-Amy Hawes
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Maggie (Dolphin)Parker
November 12, 2010
My heart goes out to the McDermott family. I am deeply sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kieran McVey
November 12, 2010
Steven Francis McDermott – in Memorial
I think I first met Steve in the Lynbrook gym, playing some pick-up basketball at lunchtime.
It seems I had to guard him. Though he was a couple of grades older, I had the height and reach advantage on him. He was wearing bright yellow nylon shorts and they are still vivid to me now because I can still see them as they streaked by me going left with him finishing with that right hand again and again as I kept swiping at air at what should have been a blocked shot.
I came to know that move and many others very well over the next few years as well as his love of country rock, his family, precision tools, and of course, that ‘53 Chevy. I spent countless hours with him at the wheel of that glorious machine on so many marvelous adventures throughout the Bay Area and beyond, south to the coast and north to the Mendocino Redwoods, with great music playing and good feelings flowing.
Good feelings are what Steve exuded to me throughout our years of close friendship. His golden heart is what caught and held me for a good long time.
The closing years of our youth and onset of adulthood sent us spinning in very different directions as it often unknowingly, unintentionally, unexplainably does, and we lost contact over the years and the ocean between us, but the Steve “Jake” McDermott that will live on in my heart is as light and bright as are his beaming smile and shining eyes that greet me now.
–Farewell old pal, old trailblazing tribal partner, my old dear friend.
Kieran McVey
Kathleen Bracamonte
November 12, 2010
What a sweet, gentle spirit of a man you are. I watched at how attentive you were to Marianne and how much you loved her. You felt her pain and I admired your deep love for her. Thank you for showing us all how to love our spouses in difficult circumstances. What are treasure you both will be heaven.
Kathleen Bracamonte
Gary (Goors) Fish
November 12, 2010
Although I left a short note earlier, I need to add to Steve's legacy. (For those that don't know, Jake got his nickname because he could do a great imitation of a somewhat childish teacher we had in high school named Jake.) People always say kind things about those who have passed even if they were surly creatures in life. But Jake was different. He really, truly was a great, kind, gentle friend. As others on this site have said, nothing was funnier than Jake giving Paul Sackinger "Sack" a hard time in a way that was only funny, never harsh, never critical, never mean. Those long nights playing cards (One Nut), playing basketball at the Benton courts, floating down the Russian River in canoes, shooting the rapids on the Kings River in innertubes, just cruising in Jake's '53 Chevy and talking about everything and nothing were, and remain, precious. Smiling, smiling always smiling - Jake was always so positive.
I'm so happy that Jake and I never completely lost touch even though it was only once or twice a year. I shared at the Rosary how just a few months ago I wrote a column in our local newspaper about good Samaritans and used a time with Jake as an example. I wish I had sent him that column, but I know he'd just shrug it off. He didn't need pats on the back.
I wish for peace for Steve's family who has lost a great Uncle/son and those of us in the Corvette gang (Chosen Few), we've lost a lifetime friend.
November 12, 2010
Dear Irene and cousins,
Another brother, cousin, wonderful person gone from our midst. I am so very sorry for your loss and "our" loss. I can hear Steve's laugh as I cry and try to type this. May we always hear his laugh and feel his presence. You will all be close to my heart as you begin this long, difficult journey. Love always, Patty and Bob Greene and family
November 12, 2010
Dear Irene and cousins,
Another brother, cousin, wonderful person gone from our midst. I am so very sorry for your loss and "our" loss. I can hear Steve's laugh as I cry and try to type this. May we always hear his laugh and feel his presence. You will all be close to my heart as you begin this long, difficult journey. Love always, Patty and Bob Greene and family
November 12, 2010
I've also been blessed to have known Jake(steve)for 35 years,and I will always remember all the laughter sitting in on the endless card games in which the banter between Jake and Sack should go down in the history of comedy.Jake I always remember the times you would tell me "B" do you really think that is a good idea...Thanks Jake. I will miss you Bro.My condolences to his family.
Kevin ("B") Bracamonte
November 11, 2010
I will always remember Steve playing basketball relentlessly in our driveway with my big brother Kieran, and their friends. He was always so kindhearted. And tho my parents have also passed, they always thought very highly of him. Molly McVey Holmes, Moneta, VA
Phil Brown
November 11, 2010
would like to extend our families sympathy to steves family and friends, I remember Steve when he worked on toms farm, he was always running the trail bike up to our place to crack a joke about tom and letting us know that the gate to the cow yard was supposed to be closed after you go through it, tom always had a good line that steve could imitate pretty well, and cant forgetthe old chevy taking a tumble in the gravel road ditch,and beiing rolled back over to make it back to california,will be missed and hope to see the rest of the family soon take car, the Phil Brown family
Ed San Juan
November 11, 2010
This is way too soon.
I met Steve playing soccer at Lynbrook High, except he was/is affectionately known to us as "Jake". I don't know how the name came about (maybe Sack or Ron or B knows), but my guess its because all of his brothers names start with the letter "J". But "Jakes" nick-name is a term of endearment, and that what I've always called him.
Jake was a great defender on the soccer pitch, and good on the basketball court, and smooth with a golf club as well. Nothing ever got under his skin (except for the "fake" arguments he and Sack or B got into), and he was absolutely the kindest person I know. He was always willing to lend a hand no matter what the job was.
Most all of my memories of Jake was with the "Corvette Drive Gang", where Saturday nights were dedicated to playing cards (one-nut), listening to music (or Craig jamming on guitar) (which Jake really loved), playing basketball in a local park, playing jokes/pranks on each other (too many stories here...), and laughing at how silly we could really be. Between B, Sack, Baby Sack, Noel/Gary/Kevin/Kyle Fish, Ken Sakoi, Bob Honeycutt, Craig Biehl, the good times were endless- all were a part of Jake's circle.
Jake was one of the first among us to move out, get a good job, and meet a nice girl. He made settling down a popular idea in our heads- he always seemed to have a plan intact, and was always moving in a positive direction.
I will forever be amazed at Steve's dedication and love for his wife Marianne, and how he dealt with life's puzzles with a smile, and incredible ease. He is/was an amazing person, and I will miss him forever.
-Ed, Julie, Elle, and Emily San Juan
November 11, 2010
Jake, as I always knew him, was always a smiling and friendly person. During high school and after wards, we used to play cards with other friends and go to the nearby Jr. High school during the summer to play baseball. I have not seen him for 25 years but I still consider him my friend. I will miss him. Thanks for being my friend. Noel C. Fish
November 11, 2010
I'm so sorry to hear about one of favorite cousins passing away. I remember Steve traveling to Iowa in an 53 Chev. We all will miss him. Life is short enjoy every moment. Mike Thomas (Independence, Iowa)
Ken Stilgebouer
November 11, 2010
My condolences goes out to Steve's family. Steve was a great friend in high school. We bowled together, hung out together and had many memorable times together. Steve will always have a place in my heart.
Craig Biehl ("Unk")
November 11, 2010
I have known Steve for 35 years, or should I say “Jake” as he was affectionately known in our small circle of high school miscreants that humbly called ourselves the “chosen few.” To this day, I don’t think any of us have ever used his real name, or he has ever used ours. So it was with our friendship, always buddies, friends for life. Some of the happiest memories I have of high school and beyond were with Steve, and there are too many hilarious stories to recount. His easy going manner, keen sense of humor, and friendly demeanor endeared him to all who knew him. His verbal exchanges with “Sack” (another of the “chosen few”) were more hilarious than anything you’ll see on late night TV. The lives of many have been greatly blessed by “Jake,” and we will all miss him greatly. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends who have been enriched by his life. May God richly bless you all.
Gary Fish
November 10, 2010
Steve was one of my very best friends in high school and as we grew into adults. We did so many things together. He was always so quick with a smile. I will miss him greatly. Gary Fish
Tom & Nancy Brown
November 9, 2010
Our condolences go out to all of Steve's family and friends.
I have many fond memories of out younger years in Iowa.
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