Stephen Caminer

Stephen Caminer obituary, Denver, CO

Stephen Caminer

Stephen Caminer Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Jan. 10 to Jan. 11, 2023.
Stephen (Steve) John Caminer died in the early morning of December 20, 2022 after a several-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Steve was born on November 21st, 1950 in Washington D.C., the oldest son of Shirley Bratager Caminer, a librarian at the Library of Congress who hailed from Owatanna, Minnnesota, and K. Philip Caminer, a Berlin jew who escaped Germany in 1939. Steve grew up in Norfolk and Portsmouth Virginia, where he attended the first racially integrated preschool in the cities, and graduated salutatorian of his Cradock high school class.

After dropping out of college in NYC and returning to Norfolk to work as a cabbie, Stephen helped a friend move a sailboat to Denver, CO in 1971 and never found a reason to leave. Soon after arriving, he registered as a musician at the Denver Folklore Center and was hired by a predominantly Chicano working jazz-rock band called Mighty Joe Young, whom he played with for three years. Some of his bandmates who went on to play for bigger audiences were Larry Dunn, keyboardist with Earth, Wind, and Fire, Kim Stone who played with Spiro Gyra, and Paul January who played with Louis Prima in Las Vegas. Steve's love for music played a large part in helping him put down roots. He has played trombone, baritone horn, and recorder with a long list of Denver-area music groups including Sam Bivens, the Denver Jazz Orchestra, and most recently Slide Rule and Stop Time. Music remained an organizing force throughout Steve's life. Contrary to what some might expect of a life-long secular humanist and atheist, he regularly attended The First Unitarian Society of Denver and lent his beautiful tenor voice to their choir for over 30 years.

Steve worked many blue collar and white collar jobs throughout his life. In 1983, he was working at a Frito-Lay manufacturing plant in Denver's Montbello neighborhood. At that time, he met his future wife, Joyce, on a blind date to an Odetta concert at the Arvada Center. In 1985, they were married at the Jefferson Unitarian Church. Shortly thereafter, Steve earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Metro State College, and he went on to work as a statistical assistant and database manager at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, as a research associate for the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and finally as an information technology professional with the State of Colorado. He retired from the State in 2018.

In retirement, Steve found joy in polishing his trombone playing chops and nourishing his life-long love of learning. He worked at becoming more fluent in Spanish, pursued a degree in computer programming at Eastern Gateway Community College, and spearheaded projects to improve the energy efficiency of his home while maintaining detailed logs to measure that efficiency.

Steve is survived by his brother Thomas L. Caminer (RoseEllen) of Queens, NY; his wife Joyce R. Bennett of Denver, CO and their daughter Adrienne R. Caminer of Brooklyn, NY. Donations in Steve's memory can be directed to Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00PM on Friday, January 27th at the First Unitarian Society of Denver, 1400 Lafayette St.

View All Photos

Add Photos to Memorial

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Stephen Caminer's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

January 29, 2023

Lynn Holland posted to the memorial.

January 28, 2023

Eileen Hess posted to the memorial.

January 23, 2023

Keith Melichar planted trees.

Lynn Holland

January 29, 2023

Joyce and Adrienne,

Our deepest condolences. We are grateful for all that Steven gave to this world -- his music, his kindness, his devotion to the Unitarian Church, his love for his family. He will be missed.

Love,
Ross Buchanan and Lynn Holland

Eileen Hess

January 28, 2023

Joyce....although I didn't know Stephen, I was coming to his service until I came down with a cold after Duane's and was afraid to expose anyone in case it was Covid, but thinking of you!

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Keith Melichar

Planted Trees

Elizabeth Mount

January 20, 2023

Joyce, my love and sympathy to you and Adrienne. I loved singing in the choir with Steve and he was such a gift to FUSD in so many ways. I am sorry to hear of his passing and hope that you are well supported in this time of grief.

Samantha Sandoval

January 18, 2023

Love, Peace and strength are being sent to Joyce and all the family. Reading this obituary was inspiring to continue to have a full love for life and everything in it. Enjoy everything that we are given and all experiences. With Sympathy and love, Samantha Sandoval SCL Health Broomfield

Summer Irelan PA-C Mesa View

January 17, 2023

Peace be with you and your family.

Maggie Nelson

January 15, 2023

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Jayme Brindle PT

January 15, 2023

Sending lots of love to you Joyce! I loved learning more about Steve.

Marian Wiseman

January 15, 2023

To Joyce, Adrienne and Tom, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to you on your sad loss. Stephen and I only found each other about 18 months ago, through Ancestry. Tom, Stephen and I are second cousins and we shared emails and photos of our family. I shall miss our connection and sharing long lost information very much. I wish I could be there, but I live in the UK, but will be thinking of you. Love Marian Wiseman

kate

January 13, 2023

very interesting

Philip Belefski

January 12, 2023

Steve was a friend and colleague with a wry sense of humor. It was a joy performing with him. I will miss him.

Catherine Mark

January 12, 2023

My heart is broken right now. Joyce and Adrienne I am so sorry for your loss. You all gave me a second home. The many ski trips we would take, all the camping spots we enjoyed. Steve was the coolest dad and I can't believe he is gone. Sending lots of hugs your way!

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results

Make a Donation
in Stephen Caminer's name

How to support Stephen's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Stephen Caminer's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Stephen Caminer's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

January 29, 2023

Lynn Holland posted to the memorial.

January 28, 2023

Eileen Hess posted to the memorial.

January 23, 2023

Keith Melichar planted trees.