GREENBERG--Steven A., passed away on Saturday, February 18 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital after a valiant eight month battle against lymphoma. At his side were his beloved brother Charles, his loving companion and dear friend Elizabeth Ray, and his closest friend and partner for 35 years Michael Scharf. Born in Brooklyn, Steven was the son of the late David and May, the brother of Charles (Donna), the uncle of Craig (Amelia) and Lori Schlam (Evan). He was a graduate of James Madison High School and NYU. He excelled in everything he did in his varied and extraordinary business career. He began as a securities analyst at Value Line; he owned Anametrics, Inc. and developed the firm into a leading money management and financial public relations firm; and he had close relationships with many CEOs and was a major investor in Commodore Computers, Bally, US Surgical, and Edgcomb Steel. He also became a success in the hospitality and club business by owning the Gramercy Park Hotel, Roxy (the roller disco club), the Palladium, and more recently 230 Fifth Avenue, the leading rooftop bar venue in New York. Steven was instantly recognizable because of his striking resemblance to Benjamin Franklin. He was a fixture at his first row center court seats at NY Knicks games and at all of the finest restaurants in the city. Steven's generosity to waiters and maitre d's was legendary, and he merely had to arrive at a restaurant and it immediately became a more exciting place. When Steven became interested in a subject, he became passionate about it. It was this passion that led him to develop one of the world's finest Art Deco furniture and objects collections. Many items from the collection were exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Steven was a beloved friend to many. He always tried to help those in need, with both financial support and advice. He was a quiet but most generous donor to many charities. He could analyze a problem, company or situation with uncanny insight. He loved life and lived his exactly as he wished. By virtue of his extraordinary life, which touched so many, he appeared to be a person whose life would go on forever, but sadly, it has ended far too soon. He fought his health battle privately and with great courage. The care and concern of his doctors and nurses at MSK was exemplary. Steven's funeral service will be held Monday, February 20 at 11:45am at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 76th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, New York.
Published in The New York Times on Feb. 20, 2012
