Stephen R. Saph

In the early evening hours of Friday, October 4, 2024, Stephen Rowden Saph suffered a debilitating stroke. At that time, he was in a favorite, downtown Mount Clemens establishment enjoying the company of friends, his loving wife Julie, and had a Bloody Mary cocktail in front of him. He succumbed the morning of Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Stephen began his journey in St. Clair, Michigan on December 2, 1934. His parents: father, H. Payne Saph, II, Esq. and mother, Virginia M. (Payne). He and his only sibling, his brother, Hale P. Saph, III Esq., were Irish twins.
Uncommon as it may have been at the time, in his youth, his parents divorced. While his parents remarried years later, during Stephen's formative years while his parents were apart, he was enrolled in a number of primary and secondary schools. Much like a military brat, he attended a variety of schools in Michigan, Canada, and Florida, ultimately graduating from Grosse Pointe High School. Bouncing from school-to-school resulted in the development of one of his true strengths and passions – constantly meeting new people and enjoying the company of others. Upon meeting someone for the first time, it only took a few moments to piece together a shared connection – either from where one lived, where one went to school, to whom one was related, or what one's career or past times were. More times than not, a connection was found, and a new friend made. No truer statement can be made about Stephen than, after having first met, a person was only a stranger once.
After attending St. Clair County Community College and the University of Miami, Stephen was awarded a degree in Business Administration by the Detroit Institute of Technology. His collegiate educational experience was interrupted by his service in the U. S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He was Honorably Discharged and awarded both National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals.
Stephen's first gainful employment was as a pin setter in a bowling alley in Marine City. He sold hurricane shutters in Florida, served in our Country's military, tended bar at the Surf Club in Miami, worked in accounting for General Motors, and as a claims adjustor for the Travelers Insurance Companies. His employment with Travelers led to his introduction to a Travelers' agent, Otto Nickel. Otto was the owner of an insurance agency located in Mount Clemens. The two soon connected in a way that would impact Stephen's life and the lives of his family for years to come. Stephen left Travelers and went to work for Otto in 1963. It was not long after that they became partners and with Otto's retirement, Stephen became the sole owner of the agency. Otto was a mentor, friend, and loved as a second father by Stephen. Both Stephen and Julie fondly recalled Otto and his wife Ruth. While successful as the owner of Nickel & Saph, Inc. Insurance Agency his passion was not necessarily the technical aspects of the insurance industry, but he thrived while interacting with others from all walks of life.
In addition to his career, Stephen was active with volunteer service to his community and membership in local services clubs. Just a sampling of the organizations Stephen lent his time and talents to – as a board member of the St. Clair – Macomb MIWorks!, Selfridge Base Community Council (member since 1978), North Channel Yacht Club, Port Huron Yacht Club, North Star Sail Club, Korean War Veterans Association, the Mount Clemens Lions' Club, the Clinton Township Area Optimist Club, the Mount Clemens Business Association, the Marine City Chamber of Commerce, and as a board member of the McLaren-Macomb Hospital. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Mount Clemens. Stephen was also a real estate owner and developer with, through the years, a number of properties located in the downtowns of both Marine City and Mount Clemens.
Stephen and Julie resided on the St. Clair River in Cottrellville Township, St. Clair Co., Michigan from 1968 until 2016. Stephen briefly served as Cottrellville Township Supervisor in 1970. Stephen and Julie had a winter home in North Ft. Myers, FL from 1996 until 2016. Since 2016 they have made their home in Clinton Township in a condominium overlooking the beautiful George George Memorial Park where Stephen and Julie enjoyed watching from their deck the various wedding parties and prom and homecoming celebrants that utilized the park as a backdrop for photographs.
He loved his maternal grandmother, Julia, dearly. He often told stories of raising chickens at her side, playing cards, learning about racehorses and greyhounds, and simply having fun. Stephen's and Hale's formative years growing up on the St. Clair River led to a lifelong love of the water and boating for both. An owner of more boats than his family can recall or count including a Tartan 30 sailboat and a 1970 26' Lyman Cruisette aptly named "Mischief." Family photo albums are packed with pictures of memorable times spent on the water with family and friends.
In a determined effort to assure that his children would not be shuffled from school to school, as was his experience, all three of his children enjoyed the stability of growing up in the same home and attending school in the same community. By his example, his family learned to enjoy boating and water safely, the importance of treating others with respect, and he imparted his love of life and the pleasure he experienced sharing time with family and friends. His granddaughters often recall time spent in Florida where Stephen would shower the girls with attention; playing with them in the "peanut pool," dancing, and teaching the girls how to play cribbage.
Survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Julie A. Saph (Rotter), son Stephen R. Saph, Jr., daughters Anastasia Jane Saph (Arthur Barnard) and Holly Saph Ceelen (William Ceelen). Papa to granddaughters, Anneliese Saph Barnard, Annika Saph Barnard, Ella Valerie Saph, and Paige Louise Ceelen. Uncle to niece Lisa Dowling. Several cousins and a number of "shirt-tail" or distant relatives that are too numerous to count.
Stephen is predeceased by his parents, Payne and Virginia, his brother Hale, in-laws Carl H. and Valerie J. Rotter, and brother-in Law John D. Rotter.
Bacchus, the Roman God of Wine, Aegir, the Norse god of parties, and St. Philip Neri, the Roman Catholic patron saint of joy and laughter are in all probability awaiting Stephen beyond the veil to greet him and celebrate his arrival to the Elysian Fields, Valhalla, and the heavens beyond St. Peter's pearly gates. (As a non-discriminating believer, Stephen was more than willing to worship and celebrate the great mysteries with followers of any faith.)
A private interment will occur in the near future at Clinton Grove Cemetery, Clinton Twp., Michigan. A celebration of Stephen's life will occur at a time and place soon to announced by the family. Until then, the family asks, if so inclined, that friends and admirers please make memorials in Stephen's name to either the Mount Clemens Lion's Club or the Martha T. Berry Foundation.
In closing, please do not cast your eyes upon this feeble attempt to record the life of, or capture the nature of the person that Stephen was; look to this day before you with an optimistic attitude in which we pray that you will offer a warm smile, friendship to all whom you come in contact, and the knowledge that everything is going to be just fine! Cheers!