Steve P. Talevich

Steve P. Talevich, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his closest family, on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the age of 70 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Born on August 11, 1955, in Akron, Ohio, Steve was the cherished son of Paul and Aliki Talevich. A lifelong resident of Akron, Steve graduated from Garfield High School in 1973 and continued his education at the University of Akron.

Steve's professional journey began at Barron and Benson and Prospect Mold and Die, but it was in 1995 that he co-founded The Westside Bakery with his wife, Barb, turning her passion into a cherished local institution. Every morning at 2 AM, Steve could be found enjoying a chocolate chip cookie and a cup of coffee for breakfast, his favorite way to start a day of baking pies, breads, and breakfast pastries for the community. He had a true open-door policy in the early morning, with local cops, early morning runners, and even the occasional homeless person who wandered in through the back door, to whom Steve would give a cup of coffee and a breakfast treat. Known as The Westside Bakery's de facto maintenance man, there was little he couldn't repair. Delivering the bakery's creations to local businesses, event venues, and hospitals brought him immense joy as he loved spreading happiness.

Steve was passionate about cars his entire life. A devoted member of the Porsche Club of America, he proudly owned a silver Porsche 944, then a red Porsche 911, and lastly a red Porsche 944 Turbo, and raced them at tracks like Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, Road America, and Nelson Ledges. However, his favorite project car was always his orange 1973 Dodge Dart Sport.

Travel was one of Steve and Barb's shared loves, with favorite destinations that included Scottsdale, AZ, Palm Springs, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Pawleys Island, SC, where he loved to play golf with his son Aaron.

Steve deeply valued the special bonds he formed around food and friendship-from early morning laughter with the breakfast gang at The Westside Bakery, to Tuesday night spaghetti dinners at The Italian Center, and weekly visits to The Eye Opener and The Merchant that carried on for years. These moments are some of Steve's fondest memories, which created long-lasting friendships.

Steve will be remembered as someone who always went above and beyond to help others, for his quick wit, and for his unique sense of humor that brought a smile and laughter to those around him.

Preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Aliki Talevich, and his father-in-law, Angelo Nicoloff, Steve is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Barbara; his beloved son, Aaron (Alyssa); his brother, Chris (Gerri); his mother-in-law, Mary Nicoloff; his sister-in-law, Annette Nicoloff (Kristine Mikolajczyk), and many close family members and friends.

Steve's legacy of kindness, selflessness, dedication, and laughter will never be forgotten.

Calling hours will be Friday, September 26, 2025, from 4-6pm, with a service to follow at Ciriello & Carr Funeral Home, 39 S. Miller Road, Fairlawn OH, 44333.

Please consider donating to lung cancer research via the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.