Stephen A. Warren

Stephen A. Warren, 77, of Deerfield, Massachusetts passed away on March 26, 2020 at home with his wife and daughters by his side.

Stephen was born in Holyoke on July 19, 1943 to the late Arthur and Madalyn (Howes) Warren. He graduated from Amherst Regional High School Class of 1962. He was an incredible athlete, the leading rusher and scorer in high school football, and earned an honorable mention in the National High School All-American team in 1961.

He worked as a landscaper digging graves and doing tree removal during high school and always said this was why he was in such great shape for football. He played a season at Maine Central Institute and was a member of the American International College freshman team before he left for active duty with the US Army National Guard in 1963 and served until 1969. He worked for the Massachusetts Port Authority as a power plant operator and a toll collector, always pointing out the bridge he worked at every time he was in Boston.

Steve retired in 2000 from the University of Massachusetts Police Department as Lieutenant after 30 years of employment. He was one of the first UMass horse patrol officers in 1974, volunteering to ride, having had little experience riding horses. He trained for 100 hours over the summer to be ready for the arrival of Patrick, a Morgan horse. Steve continued 6 hours of horseback riding training per week to teach the horse how to stand still in traffic, to remain calm in crowds, and to maneuver narrow spaces. Later, Steve became Sergeant and then Lieutenant, taking many new recruits under his wing. He was a respected leader in the department. He managed the UMass commencement traffic for years, was the firearms instructor, and provided security for many famous people including Mother Teresa, Christopher Lloyd, Mariah Carey, and Dr. J to name a few.

He leaves behind his beloved wife and soulmate, Elaine (Blasko) after 53 years of marriage, his daughters Shelly (Tyler) Clark of Greenfield, Beth (Sean) Brady of Hatfield, and Diane (Richard) West of Hadley. He was blessed with a heart transplant in 2005, giving him 15 1/2 extra years with his loved ones. He absolutely cherished his six grandchildren Wyatt Clark; Tristan, Stephanie, and Megan West; and Jack and Eleanor Brady, the latter 5 he would never have known without the gift of life from the donor. He taught his grandsons about fishing. He was always full of great advice from his vast hunting and fishing experience (whether it was wanted or not!). Steve glowed when he watched his granddaughters dance their specially choreographed routines just for him. He attended every performance, sporting event, graduation, and award ceremony emanating pride for his offspring.

The middle of 11 children, Stephen will also be missed by his brothers Arthur (Marion) of Amherst, Michael of Lake Worth, FL, James (Susan) of Amherst, as well as his sisters Marilyn (Joe) Niquette of Ware, Kathleen (George) Ursia and Patricia Begos, both of Lake Worth, FL, and Rita (Jim) Laughnane of Batan Island, SC. In addition to his parents, Stephen was predeceased by his brother Roy, his sisters Joanne Cole and Madalyn J. Kirejczyk. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.

Steve loved to travel with his wife Elaine. They went to Hawaii, California, and to Florida. He cherished time spent at Gooserocks Beach in Maine and loved to watch shows in Las Vegas, Foxwoods, and Mohegan Sun. Steve always had his favorite slot machine and would never divulge just how much he won (never his losses).

Steve was known for his quick wit, dry humor, and puns. People were drawn to him and he was often heard striking up conversations with anyone who would listen.

The family would like to express many thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Massachusetts General Hospital and Cooley Dickinson Hospital, too numerous to mention and you know who you are.

Services for Stephen will be private and held at the convenience of the family. A graveside service will be held Wednesday April 7, 2021 at 10:00 am in St. Brigid's Cemetery, Hadley.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Stephen to Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, PO Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com