Jeffrey Steele

STEELE, JEFFREY, 65, of Coral Gables, died Sunday, August 10, 2008, at home surrounded by family and friends. He was 65 and had spent the past six months waging a courageous and dignified battle against pancreatic cancer. Jeff was a kind, caring and generous man who managed to find the good in nearly any situation and who cultivated friendships. At Tulane University, he met his beautiful wife, Marcia, and the very large group of friends who remained close to him for the rest of his life. He and Marcia enjoyed 43 years of marriage, and they continued to nurture friendships, both old and new. Of course, his closest friend was his wife, and their marriage was a rare and perfect partnership. For 42 years, Jeff worked as a financial adviser in downtown Miami. He was a fixture in the brokerage firms where he worked, and he provided steady companionship to stalwarts and friendly advice and guidance to young brokers. Jeff's personal generosity was legendary to those who knew him. Even when he received poor service, he tipped extravagantly - not in a showy way, because Jeff, with his silver hair, genuine smile and easygoing manner, was a soft-spoken man without a hint of flashiness. Rather, he tipped well because he enjoyed helping others, and he figured when he got bad service, maybe the waiter was having a bad day. He didn't mean to endear himself to others, but he always did. Papa Jeff's advice on matters mundane and important will be deeply missed. So will his company and constant good cheer. Jeff's life work and greatest joy was creating a family with Marcia. Jeff's pride was his only child, Julie Steele Weinstein, who multiplied Jeff's joy by giving him two granddaughters, Dara and Madeline. He was born in 1942, the son of Morton and Norma Steele. He and his family moved to Miami Beach when he was 10. He was raised blocks from the salt water he so loved to fish. After attending Miami Beach High he went to Tulane University, where he received a BA degree in 1964. Jeff is survived by his wife, Marcia Steele, daughter Julie Weinstein, son-in-law Andy Weinstein and granddaughters, Dara and Madeline Weinstein. He is also survived by his parents, Morton and Norma Steele, of Miami Beach; his sister Cathy (Tom) Hoffeld of Rye, Colorado; his many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Donations may be made in his name to Temple Judea in Coral Gables or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org). Services will be held on Tuesday, August 12th at 2 pm at Temple Judea, 5500 Granada Blvd., Coral Gables. Graveside service will follow at Mt. Nebo Kendall. Shiva will be at the Steele and Weinstein homes. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.