Stephen Paul Staeger

In the kind of Michigan cold that vaporizes breath near immediately, Steve Staeger feverishly worked, stringing lights on the bushes of his Troy home, his son in tow – as unhelpful as always.
When he plugged the long extension cord into an outlet, the house illuminated in multi-colored glow. He'd accomplished a goal his wife had reminded him of many, many, many times that day.
"There you go," he quipped. "Merry (expletive) Christmas!"
The moment was trademark Steve Staeger: a lovely act of service punctuated by wit.
Stephen Paul Staeger took his last breath on Wednesday January 17, 2024 with his wife of nearly 50 years and his brother by his side. His seven-year battle with early onset dementia ended peacefully in Oakland Township, Mich. He was 73 years old.
He's preceded in death by his father Alphonse T. Staeger, and his mother Rebecca Staeger. He is survived by his wife Mary, son Steve (Caitie Gutstadt), brothers Tony (Debbie Ferry) and Gerard, niece Colleen and nephew Timothy.
Born June 22, 1950 in Detroit, Steve quickly developed the sense of humor that would define his life. He attended Holy Name and St. Regis grade schools and Brother Rice High School, where he once tied a piece of fishing line to a teacher's pen dragging it off his desk and into the hallway. After that elaborate prank, administrators somehow allowed him to graduate and attend the University of Detroit where he earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing. He would use that degree in a variety of different jobs throughout his working life – which ended with retirement in 2016 from Lear Corporation.
At age 15, Steve met his first love: amateur radio. Throughout the course of his many years with the call sign WA8TCL, from his perch in Metro Detroit, he contacted people around the world – from Africa to Sweden.
A few years later he'd meet his second and biggest love: Mary Wilsher. They tied the knot on April 19, 1974. She's been laughing and rolling her eyes at his jokes ever since. It's true love. In 1986, they welcomed their only child – a boy who would share the same name. Though Stephen Paul Staeger would be quick to remind people that Stephen Matthew Staeger wasn't a junior – even though he grew up trying to be the mirror image of his loving father.
Steve spent the next nearly 38 years living for his family and his community. He was the Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 1029 - his face flush with red, the time his son won the Pinewood Derby race with a car that Steve definitely didn't build definitely. He made it to every after-school event – from soccer games to school plays. During summers, he made making memories a priority – taking his family up north to his parents' cottage in Lost Lake Woods and to Mackinac Island. He was always there for his family and friends.
Steve was the eternal handyman. He could fix anything and would drop whatever he was doing to fix anything for anyone. He was an expert in technology – rebuilding computers and troubleshooting problems, again, for just about anyone. Solving problems was in his DNA. He had an excellent and diverse taste for music – one that never went away even as his memory began to fade.
But above all, Steve was the king of the one liner. He loved making people laugh. And he loved to laugh. His friends and family will be sharing stories of his humor long after he told his last joke. His son declared that same expletive-laden holiday greeting with a smile as he plugged in his Christmas lights this past winter.
Steve Staeger was a loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He died two months short of adding one more title to that list: grandpa. But his family has no doubt he'll be watching over his grandson.
A funeral mass will be held for Steve on Monday, January 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Our Light Church, 3077 Glouchester Dr, Troy, MI 48084. His family welcomes friends to gather early and share memories in the church vestibule from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. You are encouraged to wear purple to show support for the Alzheimer's Association. A luncheon will be held at Loccino Italian Bar and Grille, 5600 Crooks Rd #106, Troy, MI 48098, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, Steve's family asks you consider a donation in his memory to support the people who supported Steve and his family during his battle with dementia:
The OPC's Adult Day Services program gave Steve a chance to socialize with friends and Mary a chance take a brief break each week from caregiving. You can make a donation in Steve's honor to this incredibly valuable program by clicking here (be sure to select "Adult Day Services" in the "Gift Type" drop down menu). You can also mail a check with "Adult Day Services" in the memo to: OPC Social & Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester, MI 48307.
Steve and Mary also found immense joy in a troubling time through the Alzheimer's Association of Michigan's Community Connect program. The program organizes mostly free of charge social outings for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers to places like the Detroit Zoo, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Henry Ford Museum. You can make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in Steve's honor by clicking here (Be sure to note that your gift is in memory of Steve Staeger so we can direct the funds to the right place).