Steven Markesino

Steven P. Markesino, age 73, passed away on Thursday May 1st, 2025 in Houston, Texas. He was born June 15th, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan to Albert and Bernadette Markesino. He attended Harper Woods High School until he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army in 1968 in support of the Vietnam War efforts. He served four tours while in the Army in various roles with his trademark "whatever needs to be done for the mission" attitude until he was honorably discharged in 1970.

After his service, he attended San Diego Mesa College (1973-1975) for Electrical Engineering until he relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska to work on the Alyeska Pipeline. There, he served as a Lead Operator and Assistant Pump Station Manager (1978-1984) working on the construction of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline, specifically pump stations one and seven. He also attended University of Alaska (1979-1983) for Petroleum Engineering. While in Alaska, he met and married Deborah Markesino on January 20, 1977 and they had four children before leaving Alaska and eventually settling to raise their family in East Detroit, Michigan. He worked for almost a decade for General Motors - Fanuc (GMF) Robotics where he handled technology and Intellectual Property purchasing and was the Project Manager for the development of the P-150 robot used to paint most of GM's cars in the early 1990's. After leaving GMF Robotics, Steve got his Masters Electrician license and opened his own business, MEC Electrical Contractor.

In 2001, after all their kids had finished school, Steve and his wife Debbie started a new adventure and moved to Texas, eventually settling into their home in Richmond, Texas. After 9/11, Steve tried to rejoin the war effort to support the United States and its military efforts, and being over the age of enlistment did not stop him. In 2005 using his electrical expertise, he supported the OIF and OEF U.S. Military efforts overseas as a contractor for the next decade in both Afghanistan and Djibouti. He served as an an Electrical Supervisor, Master Electrician, and Electrical Inspector for Base Operations well into his sixties.

Always the tinkerer and inventor, Steve was constantly working on new inventions or improvements to existing products and procedures throughout his life and will always be remembered as the person to call when you were in a jam or needed help. He loved animals and always had a dog by his side.

Steve is survived by his wife, Debbie; his children: Jennifer Markesino Roberts and her husband Erin, Anthony Markesino and his wife Becky, Lisa Markesino Van Wormer and her husband Hayden, and Vincent Markesino and his wife Gabriela; his grandchildren: Ellyse, Andrew, Ivy, Kyle, Lucas, and Tiago; his brothers and sister: Jerome Markesino (Patricia) of Portland, OR, Timothy Markesino (Deborah) of St. Clair Shores, MI, Lawrence Markesino of Washington, MI, Terrence Markesino (Carol) of Waterford, MI, and Virginia Sova (Tim) of Kingston, MI; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, battle buddies, and lifetime friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his Mother, Bernadette Markesino, his father Albert Markesino, his brother Dennis Markesino, and his brother Kenneth Markesino.

A private memorial service will be held on Friday, May 9th in Richmond, Texas. A follow-on service will be held this summer in Caseville, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America dedicated in honor of Steven Markesino. You can donate online via: https://vva.org/donate/?form=FUN26MAIN&utm_source=main_donate

or checks can be mailed directly to the Katy, TX Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #343 at 20918 Sunrise Pine View Lane, Katy, Texas, 77450.

Steve was always a soldier, willing to do the hard work to get the mission done, and he touched so many lives throughout his 73 years. He was a beloved, husband, father, son, brother, and battle buddy, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.