Steven James Pafumi

Steven James Pafumi, 62, passed away peacefully at home in Poughkeepsie on Sunday February 12th, 2023. He was born on January 24, 1961, in Poughkeepsie NY to Frances and George Pafumi.
Steven was a storyteller, a jack of all trades, a best friend to many, and above all else, a loving father. Though he had many passions in life, his greatest was his three boys.
Growing up, Steven was heavily involved in outdoor sports including football, tennis, skiing, and bowling. Through his early childhood, he and his brother often played baseball on their family's farm with only a few crab apples and a broom stick. In grade school Steve learned of his passion for football and was a key player on his pop warner teams, and later Ketcham's Varsity team.
From a very early age he was a driven and responsible young man and was a passionate entrepreneur that could sell ice to an eskimo. With his hand made advertisements spread across the neighborhood, he spent his childhood summers push mowing lawns and, in the winter, shoveling snow. In his teens, Steve landed a job at his favorite local restaurant Steak & Stein where he worked in a variety of positions and learned just how much he enjoyed putting smiles on people's faces with a good meal. Though these memories were so very important to him, the foundation of Steve's childhood was his group of friends that formed a fraternity called "The Sentinels".
During his mid to late teenage years, the Sentinels spent most of their time terrorizing the residents of the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas with their countless, though truly harmless, pranks and shenanigans. The fundamental ideology of the Sentinels was Courage, Endurance, and Style, which they abbreviated to "C.E.S." The group defined courage as the quality of the mind that enables one to encounter difficulties and danger with firmness or without fear. Endurance, or having the strength within yourself to endure unethical temptation. Style, being the qualities or values that separate one from a common group. In Steve's words, "a Sentinel must be able to control his mind as an experienced pilot would an aircraft. He must be able to distinguish between right and wrong, and make intelligent, logical decisions."
Following graduation from Ketcham High School, Steve attended Marist College where he earned a degree in Business. Immediately following his graduation, he started his career in Finance at IBM in Poughkeepsie. In 2018 Steven chose to retire after a successful 32-year career, and at the early age of 57. Outside of work Steve was extremely passionate about cooking and loved to host and cater. In the warmer months he enjoyed sitting on the lake fishing, especially if one of his sons came along. He was a jack of all trades and always tried to figure things out himself before asking for help.
Steve was the most passionate about his three sons, as they were truly his greatest joy in life. As his sons grew older, he consistently remained heavily involved in every aspect of their lives from taking them to local soccer games to navigating to out of state crew races. He made sure that they were always equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the world, and always reminded them of a simple piece of advice: "As long as you build your heart and your mind, the rest will follow."
Steven is survived by his 3 sons Daniel, David, and Douglas, his loving mother Frances, his brother George, and was predeceased by his father.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association in his memory.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 5-8 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. Private entombment will take place at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Please visit his Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.