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Stephen Hall Obituary
Stephen C. Hall (Steve) age 62, of Van Etten, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 17, 2017, at Strong Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his family. Born to Purl and Doris Hall, he was a lifelong resident of Van Etten, New York.
Steve was an avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast. He enjoyed hunting with his family, working in his garden and watching baseball games. Being a loyal Yankees fan, he was never without his NY Yankees hat. He was amazed at the number of strangers who would come up to him and ask, "How 'bout them Yankees?" Steve loved the country life and spending time with his family. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, appreciating all of its interesting sights while meeting people from all walks of life.
Steve recently retired as President/CEO of the Finger Lakes Fire and Casualty Insurance Company. He received the New York State Insurance Company Person of the Year Award due to his unwavering dedication and commitment to the insurance industry. He was also given the designation, Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), by the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. He was a former chief of the village of Van Etten Fire Department and a founding member and former Captain of the Spencer Emergency Squad.
Steve is survived by his loving wife and soulmate of 29 years, Gail Hurst Hall of Van Etten, his children and their significant others of whom he was very proud: Amy (Ryan) Kelsey of Candor, Greg (Sarah) Hall of Candor, Andy (Sara) Young of Newfield, Jason (Mariah) Young of Van Etten, Geoffrey Hall (Meghan Smith) of Jefferson, 11 grandchildren who brought him immeasurable joy, his sisters Patti (John) DeMont of Van Etten, Bette (Dean) Relyea of Candor, sisters-in-law Pam (Gary) Tingley of Dryden, Susan Hurst of Edgewater, Florida, Lisa (Steve) Stelick of Freeville, and, mother-in-law Betty Hurst of Dryden. Steve was pre-deceased by his parents Purl and Doris (Hall) Thornton, sister and brother-in-law Linda (George) Lynch, father-in-law Philip Hurst, and brother-in-law Johnny Martin. He is also survived by his aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 25, from 10:00 am - noon, with a memorial service immediately following, at the St. Luke's Chapel, 92 Main Street, Van Etten, NY. The Reverend Phil Jordan will be officiating. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Steve's memory can be made to: St. Luke's Chapel or to the Village of Van Etten Volunteer Fire Department 17, 2 Hixon St. Van Etten, NY, 14889.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Hall
Sponsored by The Star-Gazette.
Dick & Georgette Pakkala
February 24, 2017
So sorry to hear of Steve's passing. I have some fond memories of him in school and we always jokingly picked on each other. A real asset to the community.
Mary Spicer
February 24, 2017
So sorry to learn of Steve's passing. He was a great asset to the Finger Lakes Fire and Casualty Team and I enjoyed working with him from the Agent side for many years! Please take comfort in the all the fond memories and stories you will hear in the upcoming days.
Marsha (VanEtten) Nelson
February 24, 2017
Gail,
I am so sorry for your loss . May god bless you and your family at this time.
James Robinson
February 24, 2017
Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends. He was a good neighbor and friend back in the days. Fly High my friend
Lois Pelto
February 23, 2017
What a great guy and a great loss to Van Etten! My heart goes out to you all.
Jim & Cathy Del Signore
February 23, 2017
Dear Gail and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. He was a great man who will be missed by many. I couldn't have asked for a better boss who was so understanding and cared about his employees. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless.
Skip Rupert
February 23, 2017
Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Skip and Charlotte Rupert
Jackie Russell
February 23, 2017
Gail,
I'm so sorry to hear about your families loss. Prayers to you and your family. We love you and if you need anything please let us know.
Jackie, Andrew and Korah Russell
Colleen O'Donnell Romeiser
February 23, 2017
Dear Gail and Family,
I was so very saddened to hear of Steve's passing. He was a great Boss for me and leader of FLFCC for all of the years he was there. I had a lot of respect and admiration for his deep love for his family and I know that you two were soulmates! He so looked forward to his retirement and I hope you were able to get some travelling in for the short time you were retired. Thinking of you all at this very sad time. Gone too soon.
February 23, 2017
Gail and Family,
The Community has lost one of it's pillars. Steve dedicated his life to protecting us all.
Thank you for sharing him with us. So very sorry for your loss.
Jake & Lynn Briggs
Jeff & Erika Rice
February 23, 2017
Gail & family - Please accept our condolences on the loss of a great man, husband & father. He will be missed. I will especially miss his counsel and advice over the years as well as someone to commiserate with in discussing insurance and management issues. I can still hear him laughing and crying both at me and with me.
Pat & Bill Few
February 23, 2017
Gail & Family...we are sorry for the loss of this great guy!! Gone much too soon but will be remembered with love forever by all who knew him!!
Chris Davie
February 23, 2017
Gail and family - Jim and I are so sorry to hear about Steve's passing. He was a great person and will be missed.
February 23, 2017
Gail and family we are very sad to hear of Steve's passing.He was always a great person and friend and will be sadly missed by all.
Russ and Barb Anthony , Spencer, NY
Meta Knapp
February 22, 2017
Gail and family, Steve was an amazing boss. In the ten years I have worked with him we had many laughs together. He was not just a boss but a great friend. My heart goes out to you, what a tragic, unexpected loss. He will be greatly missed. Peace and love to you.
Jo Doane
February 22, 2017
My sincere condolences to all of Steve's famil
Bernadette Raupers
February 22, 2017
Gail and family, The boys and I send our deepest condolences. There are no other words to say at this time of great loss for you. We are saying a prayer for your family and please know we will think of you often in the coming weeks. God Bless. Bernadette, E and H.
Carla Weston
February 22, 2017
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.
Nakiya D'Alleva
February 22, 2017
Sending thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy.
Barbara Serafini
February 22, 2017
I'm so sorry you've lost someone you love so much. My prayers are with your family.
Hans Grap
February 22, 2017
Rest in peace Steve we enjoyed talking with you when you and Gail came down to the butcher shop when you had your animals butcher you will be missed .
Danny Armitage and Joan Portzline
February 22, 2017
Gail, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Andrew Acla
February 22, 2017
To Gail, children and extended family, my heartfelt condolences. Steve was a wonderful mentor to so many of us within the fire department. With wisdom, integrity and quality of character, Steve had a gentle and genuine manner of leadership. He has left an indelible mark upon my life, and the lives of so many he came into contact with. Today and always, may loving memories bring you peace, comfort, and strength.
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