Stephen Arnold "Steve" Hallquist

1955 - 2021

New London - Stephen Arnold "Steve" Hallquist, 66, of New London, left this earth Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, after a hard fought and courageous battle with diabetes and renal disease. Born Jan. 24, 1955, in Annapolis, Md., Steve was the eldest of four children born to the late Reverend Robert Hallquist and Doris (Blair) Hallquist, who survives him.

Steve was a star football player at Conneaut High School (Ohio), graduating in 1973. He remained a lifelong, rabid fan of THE Ohio State University football team, despite having received his BA and teaching degree from Penn State where his majors were history, political science and theology.

He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 26 in 1981, and was promoted to petty officer, serving as an electronic surveillance technician on the USS Shark SSN 591 until 1987. He also served as an NCO in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1988 to 1991, assigned to the Connecticut 126th Military Intelligence Battalion, where he served in Desert Storm. He was a member of SubVets Groton, a past member of the New London Veterans Affairs and a past proud contributor to the Naval History and Heritage Command. He was also the founder of an international fellowship promoting the appreciation and support of Submariners across the globe with a follower membership of over 26,000: the Facebook group, "Got Dolphins?"

His love of history was intertwined with his love of genealogy and as a result, his family's ancestry is well documented. Steve could frequently be found sculking around the old bone yards all over New England, especially in Connecticut, where he found many of his family's ancestors.

His work history was as varied as his interests. He taught high school history at Coastline Christian Academy, Norwich. He worked as electrical inspector at General Dynamics, Groton. He worked on political campaigns. He was a satellite dish installer and warehouse specialist. Most recently, he worked for the US Postal Service and then retired from the Connecticut College Mail Room, where he loved to mentor and banter with the students there.

His passion to serve others brought him many pastoral positions throughout his life. He had an unshakable faith with an unbendable arc toward social justice and an absolute compassion for the downtrodden. He was most proud of leading community prayer walks during the Fort Trumbull, Ct., Eminent Domain case. He lived his faith fiercely and he loved his community deeply. His prayers were medicine for the soul.

Steve was deeply committed to his legacy. He grew in his role of "paterfamilias" for a big, blended family and we will not be the same without him.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years: his "cell mate and dance partner for life," Amy Visciglia Hallquist of New London. He was full of love for, and most proud of his children, Aaron Hallquist of Jamaica Plain, Mass., and Amanda Hallquist of Brooklyn, N.Y. He felt blessed with stepson Timothy Sparen and stepdaughter Tracy DeLaura, who gave him his beloved "Grundies:" Lily Rose Sparen, James DeLaura, Ryan DeLaura, Gabriel Sparen, Lucy Sparen, Jasper Sparen; and great-grundie: Gianna Jade Sparen. He was predeceased by stepson Nicholas Sparen.

He leaves three siblings who will miss him dearly: sister Shea Blair Day of Jerome, Ariz., brother David Hallquist of Chambersburg, Pa., and sister Christine and husband Roy Bauer of Kennewick, Wash. He also lovingly leaves nieces and nephews: Lauren and Tavis Ricksecker, Courtney Bauer, Alanna and Jerrod Lindblom, Daniel and Elise Bauer, Madeline Bauer, and Ryan and Mary Hallquist; along with several great-nieces and nephews. He will also be sadly missed by his in-laws and their children: Ceil and Paul Messore and family, Michele Coleda and family, Virginia Buonanno and family and Rich Visgilio and family.

Man's best friend, Reggie the therapy dog, will miss him very much too.

We want to thank the staff of professionals who cared for Stephen at the West Haven Connecticut VA Medical Center, the DaVita Dialysis Center in New London, and the Masonicare staff who kindly provided his home hospice care. They all went above and beyond in giving him and his family the best support and medical treatments.

All in our community are welcome to join in a Celebration of the Life of Stephen Hallquist. It will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at the Thames River Church, 122 Colman Street, New London, with Reverend Jesse Morales officiating. There will also be honor ceremonies by SubVets Groton and US Navy Military Honors, with a repast following. The service will be broadcast live on YouTube for those who cannot attend. Burial will be private. All are encouraged to post memories and contribute photos to Steve's Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Steve's name to some of his favorite causes:

SubVets: USSVI Groton, 40 School Street, Groton, CT 06320; Helping Veterans and their families: Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 410, Rockville MD 20852; Masonicare Hospice, 22 Masonic Ave, Wallingford, CT 06492; for research to educate and end Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (L.A.D.A.): Department of Development, MAYO Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester MN 55905; for research to end renal disease: American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852'