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Stephen Colvin Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Colvin
Vicki Krevat/Hochman
March 4, 2026
My son is alive today because of you. He's getting ready for another valve replacement soon. You gave us everything because of your care and skill. May your memory be for a blessing. You did so much good in your life. Fly high.
Pablo Rosero
March 28, 2023
its being 22 + years today since Dr. Stephen Colvin touched my heart - fixed my mitral Valve and gave me another chance to live - his confidence was contagious - that made it easy to go under the knife --- Dr. Colvin --- Thank you~
Steven G Achilich
October 6, 2021
Dr. Colvin saved me. He fixed my mitral valve and taught me how precious life is!
Brenda Brachfeld
March 4, 2020
Steve was the best, he was friends with my husband Marty, Marty was Helane Uncle, we traveled to California to a wedding, from the min. We got on the plane to laughed like crazy, we also shopped like crazy, when my husband passed away from bladder cancer 17 and a half years ago Steve was right there at the Hosp running through the halls to comfort us, we loved Steve Colvin very very much. Brenda Brachfeld
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scott krevat
March 5, 2009
This is still a shock and I feel the loss daily- EVEN after all this time. Thanks Dr C an angel in heaven- hear my words- God Bless You and thank you for keeping me alive. I was only 18 when you saved my life. See you in heaven..Scott Daniel Krevat/Roslyn N.Y.
Maria Pietromonaco
October 6, 2008
My family is forever grateful to Dr. Colvin for saving our infant son's life. It is a tragedy that more heart patients will not benefit from his genius and fortitude. We were truly blessed to be in the hands of such a tremendous surgeon. You will be missed by so many.
Pablo Rosero
September 2, 2008
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of a great man
He gave me a second chance to live, he will be deeply missed, I know I will
Sharon Brem
July 18, 2008
Dear Helane and family,
I only recently heard of Steves passing. My heart and payers are with you and all his family.
As I read what has been written about him there is no mention of his sense of humor and pride.
One morning making rounds,in his usual manner, he stopped at an elderly mans bedside he could see he was afraid and knew the man sailed so here he is telling him this is onlya hobby and he's really a tuna fisherman.
To me that was the essence of Steve I will say a prayer for you all at the kotel
love Sharon
Annita Henson
May 23, 2008
Dr. Stephen Colvin will go down in history as one of the greatest heroes of our time. This great man saved my life in 2000 and I am shocked and saddened deeply by his untimely death.
My sympathy goes out to his family and co workers and all who knew and loved him and those whose lives he saved. God be with you and with him.
Ken Cadmus
April 14, 2008
To the Colvin family,
My heart goes out to you, Steve Colvin was the most inspirational man I ever met. He repaired my mitral valve and saved my life. At 47 yrs old I already was in CHF and today, less than one year later I am leading a normal life thanks to Steve's dedication. He was so confident and enthusiastic he really made me feel very confident about the whole procedure, and he was right. God bless.
Diane & Greg Cola
April 14, 2008
To the family and friends of Dr. Colvin,
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Colvin. He was a great man and surgeon. He operated on my husband back in 1998 to repair his mitral valve. At the time Greg was only 43 and we were so scared. He put us at ease and did a wonderful job. We are eternally grateful to him. His loss will be felt by many.
God Bless
Timothy Morch
March 26, 2008
My prayers and thoughts extend out to the Colvin family at this time of great loss. Dr. Colvin operated on me Nov. 06, and my appreciation for his medical and people skills are very high, and certainly not unique.
Andrea Lichtman Eisenberg
March 22, 2008
I am extremely saddened to hear of Dr. Colvins sudden death. He operated on me in December, 2004. I am so grateful to have met such a remarkable person who saved so many lives.
Daniel Siddiqui
March 21, 2008
To Colvin Family,
My sincere symphony goes out to you. Dr Colvin saved my life. I feel so sadden because of his loss he was a great person that will always be remembered. I will miss you Dr. Colvin, words cannot express how much I thank you and I will miss you.
elsa siddiqui R.N
March 21, 2008
Dr steven calvin gave my son daniel anew life you will be missed .i love you their is no words to express.My sincere sympathy to the entire colvin family .
Luke Mitchell
March 17, 2008
Dr Colvin replaced my aortic valve on Feb 7 this year. I am still recovering but he did a great job. He was the second doctor I went to for an opinion: and I chose him for many reasons. From the little I knew him he was a great man, an even better surgeon, and my prayers go out to his family. He saved my life.
Alix MacLean
March 15, 2008
Even as a third year resident in general surgery at NYU, Dr. Colvin paid attention to me and the development of my skills as a surgeon. He encouraged me to always be on top of the care of my patients and never miss a detail. I wanted to also say that I enjoyed working with Heleane and I'm happy they were able to share their wonderful lives together. Even after leaving NYU, I think of him often when faced with a difficult operation. He always tried his best.
MARYELLEN ROONEY
March 15, 2008
All of Dr.Colvin's recovery room nurses miss him terribly. All of the PACU/CVSCU are deeply saddened by his death. It was an honor and privlege to care for his patients. He will forever be missed. Our prayers are with Helane and his whole family. He was a great teacher and above all a great human being.
Julie Kolman Powell, LCSW
March 15, 2008
Helene I am so sorry for your loss. I was shocked to read about it in the paper. You and your children are in my prayers.
Ebrahim Nimroudi
March 15, 2008
There are no words to express my sadness on the sudden passing of Dr. Colvin. Dr. Colvin who dedicated his life to performing life-saving heart surgeries had a huge heart himself. He gave of his exceptionally gifted talents so generously and compassionately to all those who came to him. When I first went to his office, he put a stethoscope to my ear, had me hear my own calcified aortic valve, told me to skip the next barbecue, and schedule the surgery. When I had some questions regarding the surgery, he called at almost midnight to answer them after completing the last of his surgeries that day. He operated on my heart only 7 months ago and I was remarkably back at work two months later. To his family, my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn his loss. Dr. Colvin, however, will live on in my heart and in the very hearts of all those he operated on and whose lives he saved. I hope this knowledge will help you through the great chasm he leaves behind. I am and will forever be grateful to Dr. Colvin.
Steven Feldman
March 15, 2008
Dr. Colvin's willingness to make personal sacrifices on behalf of his patients is demonstrated by his willingness to perform emergency bypass surgery and valve repair on me -- Rosh Hashana eve, 2002. He joked the following morning, warning me that I would have to sustain Helane's wrath at being left alone to attend services the night before. (Helane, quite pregnant with Sean, was in fact part of my treatment team, and never raised the issue with me.) Like all that he did - professionally, and personally - his surgery was successful, and I have and will always attibute my survival to his caring and skill. My sincere sympathies to those whom he has left behind. Dr. Colvin will be missed.
vicki krevat-hochman
March 14, 2008
We are deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of the beloved Dr. Stephen Colvin. He saved my 18 year olds son's life in May 2007. He lives on deep in my son's heart. He left the most wonderful part of himself right there.Deepest sympathy is extended to his wife, children and family. He was a most special physician and life giver. Rest in peace with the angels.
Marc Goodman
March 14, 2008
Seventeen months ago Dr. Colvin helped save my life. After 11 gruelling hours in surgery, and several hours in recovery, I saw his face and heard him say, "Don't worry, you can relax now. You are all better. Your surgery was 100% successful." It was his reassuring tone and mannerism that helped my recovery over the next year go quicker than I had thought imaginable. Dr. Colvin took away my pain and fears and has allowed me to resume a full and normal life.
My tears are not only for the loss and enmptiness that both his family and myself are feeling, but also for the next 10,000 patients that will never know the benefits of his gifted and blessed talents.
Dr colvin, You will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything.
Marc Goodman
Rosy Nimroody
March 13, 2008
I was deeply saddend to hear about the sudden passing of Dr. Colvin. He was a man of immeasurable skills, talent, and compassion and patients were truly fortunate to come under his care. Dr. Colvin operated on my father last summer and gave him, like he did to so many other patients who were fortunate to come under his care, the gift of time and a better life. Although Dr. Colvin was known as the "phantom doctor", patients and their families, like my father, soon realized it was because he was ever so attentive and vigilant about all the cases he covered on a daily basis. In person, he was so human, reassuring, and compassionate. We extend our deepest heartfelt sympathies to his family as they mourn his passing and pray they may find some comfort in knowing that he will never be forgotten by those that knew him.
Mary Ellen Niemiec-Rappoport
March 13, 2008
It is with great sadness that I learned of Steve's sudden death. I was blessed to have worked with him at NYU on the CV Blue Team as his Clinical Nurse Specialist from 1987 until 1990. I have incredible memories of our numerous hours spent in the hospital , office and clinic; his love of medicine and the love for his family and friends is unsurpassed. He had great joy in knowing that his patients could go on to live healthier and fuller lives. I have never met a more talented, gifted and yet most humble surgeon. He was never shy about his opinions, because in the end it really did not matter, he only wanted what was best for his patients. His generosity and kindness toward me, after moving from Los Angeles to NYC, as the "LaLa" nurse, has been something I've carried since I left NYC; he truly was a visionary, a demanding mentor who only made all of the nurses, physicians and residents better. I still carry the gold heart with our CV team's name that he gave me upon my departure; I missed him that day as I do now. I was so happy to learn that he continued to find love, happiness and joy with his children, his wife Helane, and grandchildren, he could never stop bragging about his family, a trait that I deeply admired. To his family, my thoughts are with you, Steve was a great man, who loved life and we are all better people for having him touch our lives.
BRENDA BRACHFELD
March 13, 2008
HELANE REMEMBER ALL THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE THAT STEVE HAD GIVEN TOO YOU.THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT ARE SEAN AND MIKAELA.STEVE WAS A VERY GIVING MAN,HE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF THE NEXT PERSON.IF STEVE COULD HELP OUT ANYONE THAT WAS HIS TRUE NATURE.HE WAS A GIVER,HE DID NOT WANT ANYTHING IN RETURN.THAT WAS STEPHEN B.COLVIN.WE TRAVELED WITH HIM DOWN THE COAST TO A WEDDING IN NEWPORT BEACH CALIFORNIA,ALL WE DID IS LAUGH,AND BUY EVRYTHING WE COULD,WINES IN NAPPA VALLEY,FAMOUS ART WORK.WE COULD NOT GET IT ON THE PLANE WE HAD TO SHIP EVERYTHING HOME,IT WAS SO MUCH STUFF,AND YES I MEAN STUFF.LOVE BRENDA BRACHFELD AUNT.
Barbara Meyer
March 13, 2008
Please accept our deepest sympathy on your tragic loss. Our son David looked upon Dr.Colvin as a mentor, a friend, an advisor, and a much revered colleague. We were all devastated to hear of his untimely passing.
Barbara and Arthur Meyer
Debora R. Herring-McAllister
March 13, 2008
To the family of Dr. Colvin I knew Dr. Colvin for twenty years and I am going to really mis seeing around the O.R. We Loved him but God loved him more and needed him back in heaven to tell the angels about how God gave him so many talents and he did not waste one of them. Dr. Colvin heart was big as life itself, it was an honor and privilege to have known him in my lifetime.
Dr. Colvin take you sleep and rest peacefully you deserve it.
Greatfully Submitted
March 13, 2008
Brian Sheahan
March 12, 2008
It was fate that brought me to the office of Dr. Colvin. A consultation resulted in my heart valve replacement the following day. His gift allowed thousands to overcome troubled times. The world is a better place thanks to the skill, kindness,and patients of the truely great surgeon. Heart felt condolences to the Colvin Family.
esther drezdner
March 12, 2008
We are extremely shocked and saddened over the sudden and untimely death of Dr. Colvin. In the short time we have known him, before and during the period of my husband's valve surgery, we have come to love and respect him for his warmth, optimism and deep dedication to his family and his patients. He will be missed by all.
May Dr. Colvin's family and colleagues be comforted among the mourners of Zion.
The Drezdner Family of Brooklyn
Robinson Poffo
March 11, 2008
One of the greatest surgeons I had the opportunity to know. Thank you Professor for this opportunity!
Richard Lefleur, M.D.
March 11, 2008
You were a wonderful friend and colleague. Your skill saved many patients. We shared many middle of the night emergencies. I will miss you.
NANCY COHEN
March 11, 2008
I WAS SO SADDENED AND SHOCKED TO READ OF THE PASSING OF DR. COLVIN. I WORKED WITH HIM WHEN I WAS A RECOVERY ROOM NURSE AT NYU 20 YEARS AGO. WHAT A WONDERFUL SURGEON AND TEACHER. MY SINCEREST CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES.
Sidney J Rubin
March 11, 2008
20 years ago you saved me from having open heart surgery (an angiogram was misread at another hospital) I am forever greatful to you.
Maria & Jake Rivera
March 11, 2008
Helane - Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the children, and the rest of Steve's family. Steve was truly one-of-a-kind. His loss will most definitely be felt for years to come.
Rose Swezey
March 11, 2008
I am very saddened to hear of Steve's passing and send my condolences to Helane and family.
michael stone
March 11, 2008
turely a great person who loved his family ,and his fishing it was a honor to know him he will be missed
Beth Blau Heydemann
March 11, 2008
I had the experience and honor to work with Dr. Colvin for about 15 years helping to establish the active Nurse Practitioner practice at NYU... he was remarkably innovative. There was nothing he couldn't accomplish. My sympathies to the family. He will be missed immensely.
Barry Meyer
March 11, 2008
My deepest sympathies to Helaine and the Colvin family. After my mitral valve surgery in 2003, Dr. Colvin called me a "hero". I responded that he was my hero. He will always be a hero to me and I will always remember him with great affection and graditude.
Julie Glickstein Ruvkun
March 11, 2008
I first met Steve as a Pediatric Resident at NYU, and then worked with him as a Pediatric Cardiology Fellow from 1989-1992. His tireless devotion to his craft made him unforgettable. I continued over the next 15 years to see him, and his family at meetings, and at social functions. His love of life, friends and family will remain in our hearts and souls ,even after his death. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all the people who loved Steve.
uncle irv wein
March 11, 2008
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Jane Lehrer
March 11, 2008
Our heart felt sympathy go out to your family and friends,he truely was a great man who has saved so many lives and even mine...he will be missed emensely..sincerely Jane and Ken Lehrer
John Ervin
March 10, 2008
My thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Colvin's family and friends. I had the honor of working with him and his team as a clinical sales specialist the past 12 months and learned a lot from him. Most importantly, I learned that his passion and dedication to his work is what separated him from his peers. His expertise and teachings will be respected and valued by surgeons from all over the world for many years to come.
Gail MacWhirter
March 10, 2008
When I was diagnosed with a severe mitral valve leak in October of 2006 I was told that Dr.Colvin was the best person to go to. I checked my insurance and he wasn't on my plan but as I am the sole support of 3 children I thought I would go to the best and figure out how to pay for it later. When I called Dr. Colvin's office and mentioned that he wasn't on my insurance plan they didn't even pause. When I met Dr. Colvin later and talked to him about money he said it was not a problem as long as the hospital got paid. I can't tell you how shocked and relieved I was. He was completely uninterested in my ability to pay. My sister accompanied me to his office that day and we still joke about it. His desk was piled with papers and there were stacks of files and folders all over. He and my sister spent the entire visit talking about Dr. Colvin's family and commenting on all the photos he had in his office. At one point he got up, listened to my heart with a stethoscope and said, "That's some leak!" and went back to chatting with my sister. Thankfully all went well and I am deeply indebted to Dr. Colvin for taking me on as a patient. When I called my sister tonight she said, "It was just a little while ago that he saved your life and now he is gone." He was clearly a maverick with a great gift and a great heart. My deepest condolences to his wife and all of his children.
Karen Greenwald
March 10, 2008
My deepest sympathies to you Helane. My thoughts are with you.
Sunil Malhotra
March 10, 2008
The passing of Dr. Stephen Colvin is a major loss for the NYU community as well as the field of cardiothoracic surgery. He was a man of great intellect, skill and passion. My thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.
Blanche and Jack Silver
March 10, 2008
The Silver family wishes to extend our deepest sympathy to Helaine, the children and the entire Colvin family on the untimely sad loss of Stephen. He was a warm wonderful human being and a very caring doctor.
Nancy Sculerati
March 10, 2008
Stephen Colvin was an outsized figure who acted with great boldness and great honesty - always. His surgical ability was beyond excellent, he had the ability to think through and execute what, for others, was the impossible. I am honored to have been taught by him.
Therese Powers
March 10, 2008
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Colvin. I had the honor of having known him as a teacher when I was a new PA and then worked in his department for the next 7 years. I will always remember what he taught me about cardiac surgery - he had a way of putting things that made it difficult to forget! He was a robust, vibrant and dynamic man with such presence - we are all diminished by his loss.
Nicole D'Amico-Pileggi
March 10, 2008
With our deepest sympathies and prayers. It was an honor and pleasure to have shared many happy moments with Steve, Helane and family. He leaves a space that can never be filled.
D'Amico and Pileggi Families
Sylvia Ehrenhalt
March 10, 2008
My sympathy for Dr. Covlin is masive. Just this past year he completed my valuve repaire.
Harold Baron
March 10, 2008
It was with great shock and sadness that I heard about Dr. Colvins passing. It was just 5 months ago that he performed by-pass surgery and valve replacement upon me.I shall be ever grateful for his remarkable skill
Kent/Trindade Family
March 10, 2008
Our deepest sympathy to Dr. Colvin's family at this time. His death is a tremendous loss to the medical world. Our family will forever be grateful for his attentive care to our loved one during two surgeries this past summer. He leaves a legacy that will save many more lives in the future.
David Rosenberg
March 10, 2008
My name is not listed as a "survivor", but I am one of the more than 10,000 people who were blessed by having Dr. Colvin as our surgeon. In my case, he saved my life twice. I can only hope that his family find some comfort in knowing how many lives he touched, how many lives he saved and the debt we could never begin to repay. God bless you, and may God Bless Dr. Colvin, now and forever.
Jennifer Svahn & Jeff Nicastro
March 10, 2008
We offer our deepest sympathy to Dr. Colvin's family and will always remember him as a great surgeon and teacher under whom we had the privilege of training - jennifer and jeff
S. Karansingh
March 10, 2008
A good man with a good heart.
Dr. Colvin will be always be remembered for his kindness.
Karen Hendricks-Munoz
March 10, 2008
We are all saddened by the loss of Dr. Stephen Colvin who will forever be remembered as the caring and generous surgeon who expected the best of everyone. His personal attention to his patients will never be forgotten. He also will be remembered for his support of women faculty encouraging their careers in Medicine and his never failing commitment to Neonatology and his littlest patients. Our sincere condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed. Dr. Hendricks-Munoz and the Faculty and Staff of the NYU Division of Neonatology
Jodi Hill
March 10, 2008
Halane, I am so sorry for your loss. I am thinking about you and your family during this difficult time. Sincerely, Jodi
Bennett Edward
March 10, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends today and always,
marc davison
March 10, 2008
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Karen Adler
March 10, 2008
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Colvin myself, so many of my STERIS colleagues have and it’s clear I missed something very special. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Lorette Lavine
March 10, 2008
I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Colvin at NYU in the 1970's when he was a cardiac surgery Fellow. Not only did he teach physicians but also nurses such as myself. He also took care of my beloved grandmother at NYU for which I will be forever grateful. This week I will be having minimally invasive mitral valve surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I am very thankful for all of the important work that Dr. Colvin accomplished during his lifetime.
My deepest sympathy to his family for their loss.
Jennifer Ellis
March 10, 2008
With Deepest Sympathies to the Family and to the Cardiothoracic Service for such an untimely loss.
Julius Christian
March 10, 2008
A good man and a Great Doctor
Troi Santos
March 10, 2008
Please accept my sympathy on the death of Dr. Colvin. I am very sorry for your loss.
I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you move through your bereavement.
With sincere condolences,
Troi Santos
Richard Hayes
March 10, 2008
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Dr. Colvin's death. He was a brilliant surgeon as well as a remarkable human being.
I offer my condolences to Helene, Heather, and the rest of his family.
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