Steven Michael Tately

Steven Michael Tately passed away Wednesday morning, August 27, 2025, in his home in Scottsdale, AZ. He was 61 and had been a resident of Scottsdale since 2002. Steve was born in Pittsfield, MA, on March 26, 1964, to Harold E. Tately and Dorothy A. Brooks. The next year, the Tately family moved to Scotia, NY. There, Steve grew up, becoming an instructor at local Maple Ski Ridge and playing on the Scotia-Glenville High School soccer team. He graduated in 1982. In 1984, Steve enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, CO. There, his duties included handling his explosive-detection dog Trampy at NORAD's nearby Cheyenne Mountain Complex. At Peterson he also met fellow Airman Lisa Ann Blyskal, whom he married in 1987. Following their Air Force discharges, Steve began working with Airborne Express, and he and Lisa moved to Huntington Beach, CA, in 1991. Sadly, that year Lisa passed away, leaving Steve a widower. For the next decade, Steve continued at Airborne rising to Station Manager and serving as company liaison with major Hollywood film studios. During this time he met Molly Harrington, a college student working as a bartender at the Irish pub where they first became friends. In 2002, they relocated to Molly's hometown, Scottsdale, AZ, and in 2004 they were married on Cape Cod. When son John Patrick and daughter Madeline Grace were born, Steve recognized the demands of Molly's travel-intensive career and chose to stay home to raise their children – a role he embraced with dedication and love. Steve reveled in taking nature trips with JP and squiring Maddie to club volleyball tournaments around the country. He remained a devoted fan of the Saguaro High School volleyball program, his energy and support a constant from the sidelines. Recently, with their children now reaching adulthood, Steve and Molly were planning the next phase of their lives when this tragedy occurred. In addition to his Scottsdale family, Steve leaves his brothers Chuck of Los Angeles, CA, David of West Dennis, MA, and Pete (and wife Denise) of Harwich, MA, plus numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. All who knew Steve will miss his upbeat personality and spirited, insightful conversations.