Steven Solimini

With aching hearts, we announce the sudden but peaceful passing of Steven Solimini, 62, at home in Matamoras, Pa., on January 29, 2025. Our family is grateful that, in this last three years, he was able to enjoy the fresh air, towering pines and abundant wildlife that he took in daily from his balcony at Heritage Pointe Senior Apartments.
Steven is survived by sisters Cheryl Solimini and Meryl Solimini-Beck, brothers-in-law Martin Farawell and Andrew Beck, his nephews Dr. Patrick James Beck and Ian Jaye Beck, and niece-in-law Anna Allocco Beck. (He truly adored his "little bananas"-now 6-feet-plus-tall Patrick and Ian-and was so proud of their many athletic, scholastic and personal triumphs on their way to adulthood.) Steve also leaves three aunts and two uncles, as well as numerous cousins who all have "Steven stories," and remember him as unfailingly kind and playful with their own children-"a gentle giant," as one described him.
The only son of the late Josephine (DeLauro) and Onofrio "Frank" Solimini, Steve was born December 29, 1962, at St. Mary's Hospital in Hoboken, N.J., and lived in Edgewater until 1968, when our family moved to Brick, where our father died three years later. In 1980, he graduated with honors (and nearly perfect attendance) from Brick Township High School. As Mom said, "I never had to remind him to do his homework. He finished it as soon as he came home and then was out the door." Throughout his school years, he lettered in bowling and cross-country; competed in extracurricular ice hockey and wrestling; and churned through swim meets and crewed in sailing regattas (often alongside Meryl) at the Metedeconk River Yacht Club. He also nailed a memorable role as General Snippet in the high school's freshman production of The Mouse That Roared (the year before he sprouted from 5-foot-3 to 5-foot-10).
After attending the University of Miami on an ROTC scholarship for industrial engineering, with a minor in math, Steve returned to southern New Jersey and found work in the construction, excavation and paving fields until 1990.
At this point, there is a temptation to write a tribute to Steve that details the life he'd wished he had, but Steve endured social stresses and emerging mental health concerns that derailed his dreams. Steve might be the first to admit he was no day at the beach, and his behavior would try the patience of a saint, which could describe our mom. If born in a later generation, maybe he would have been diagnosed earlier, forestalling years of pain and misunderstanding. Instead, at age 30, after moving to Boynton Beach, Fla., near our mother, he tried to find training, work and treatment that would be lasting. The disappointments and indignities he faced left him leery of trusting or engaging with others, and at times left even those he cared about to suffer in his wake. Still, as Mom told him often, "You are the bravest person I know. I wouldn't trade you for anybody."
Despite all of his difficulties, Steve would contribute to church and veteran organizations, drive disabled friends to their doctor appointments and otherwise help those he felt were more in need. Through CROS Ministries in Florida, he gave his time assisting campers in activities and mealtimes during a summer day program for children of low-income families and helped out in
the organization's food pantry. At the Caridad Center in Boynton Beach, he also mentored and tutored all subjects K–12 for children of migrant farm workers.
Steve was most himself outdoors-whether swimming, sailing, fishing, ice-skating, or feeding kitchen scraps to iguanas, turtles, alligators, birds, rabbits, cats or any creature anywhere he inhabited. An excellent and exacting cook, Steve also enjoyed The Big Bang Theory, brain-busting sudoku puzzles, increasing his impressive vocabulary, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Oh, God!, the Minnesota Vikings, Real Time with Bill Maher, two-pound lobsters and soppressata (hot or sweet). And bowling was still his game of choice. As Patrick noted, "I always was impressed that, even approaching 60 years old, Uncle Steve still boasted a wicked curve that always seemed to find the pocket, inducing some vicious pin action." And to the end, he continued to share his French fries with Cheryl, a tradition hs older sister wheedled him into at a young age.
Thank you so much to all who asked about or kept in touch with Steve during his most difficult times. He truly appreciated hearing about you, too, and for your thoughtfulness in other ways.
We love you "beyond measure," Steve.
A Mass and memorial will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Church, 308 Jefferson St., in Hoboken, N.J., with interment immediately following at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, N.J. In lieu of other tributes, please consider making a donation in Steve's name to the Valor Clinic Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), the Caridad Center of Palm Beach County or your local food pantry.
Cheryl Solimini and Martin Farawell, Milford, Pa. Meryl Solimini-Beck, Andrew Beck, and Ian Beck, Broadlands, Va. Patrick Beck and Anna Allocco Beck, Philadelphia, Pa.
Arrangements by Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 West Harford St., Milford, PA (www.stroyanfuneralhome.com).
Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070 (www.calhounmaniafuneralhome.com)