STEPHEN H. FIELDS

FIELDS--Stephen H., born on October 15, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts, died at the age of 79 of natural causes on December 27, 2010 at his Florida residence in Del Ray Beach, in the presence of his life partner and soulmate, Pamela Neefus. Mr. Fields was one of three children of Gertrude Fitel Gershfield and Louis Gershfield, who emigrated to the United States from Russia. A resident of Hampton Bays, New York, Mr. Fields is survived by his four children, David Fields of Hoboken, Janine Fields of Philadelphia, and Claudia Rogers (Christopher), and Lizbeth Jansen (Jay) of New York, his seven beloved grandchildren, with whom he shared a joie de vivre: Camille, Andrew, Isabelle, Amelia, Theodore, Samuel, and Lily. Mr. Fields is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Leon Shear. A survivor of childhood cancer, Mr. Fields lived each of his days to its fullest, by serving as a devoted anchor for his family, dedicating more than fifty years to the practice of law, traveling extensively in Europe, Asia, and South America, and becoming an avid collector of fine art. As a young man, Mr. Fields graduated from Boston College and Fordham University School of Law. He was admitted to the bar in the State of New York in 1958 and became a pioneer in the field of admiralty and maritime law, practicing with the law firms of Fields & Rosen and then Stephen H. Fields & Associates. Despite numerous claims of retirement, he continued to practice law until his death. A funeral service will be held at 11:30am on Sunday, January 2, 2011 at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on Madison Avenue at 81st Street in New York City. A private burial will follow on Long Island. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made to Rogosin Institute, 505 East 70th Street, New York City, NY 10021.