Steven Spader

1950 - 2021

Groton - Steven Spader, 70, of Groton, went home June 2, 2021, under the caring eye of longtime friend and partner, Deb. Steven was born in New London, Nov. 20, 1950, the middle child to Henrietta Totton Spader and William F. Spader Sr. He was a big baby, but that makes sense if you knew how big his heart was.

He spent his childhood with his two surviving brothers, Barry and Billy, on the beaches and slow streets of Groton Long Point. The little yellow house with red trim at 2 Beach Road was a landmark of sorts and the "the Point" was forever in his heart. He went to Fitch Senior High School where he excelled academically and athletically. Wearing #54 on the Fitch Falcon football jersey he was so proud of, he earned the nickname, "Bear," a moniker well earned for not only his size, but also his teddy bear-like ability to make you feel warm, welcome and heard. He carried on his football career to Syracuse University, despite a devastating injury, before returning to his first true love, "the Point."

Steven's ability to befriend and foster relationships was something that cannot be overstated. This allowed him to grow from a career as a plumber to managing one of the most successful local businesses in the 1980s. His connection to both "his guys" and customers was second to none. This was evident when he ventured into the unknown to start a successful business of his own, Spader Plumbing. Specializing in serving the needs of those who also called "the Point" home.

Along with his love of "the Point," came his love for the ocean and fishing. There was never a moment in the Fall when we wouldn't expect to see him casting for stripers and blues off of Main or South Beach. If there is a heaven of our own making, then you will find my dad, surrounded by his dogs, on a beach in mid-October where it'll be 72 degrees with a light breeze and he'll have a 10-foot rod and reel in his hands with his boots in the sand, because he was only barefoot at home.

He loved hard. If you were his friend or something more, you could always feel it. His shoulder was yours to lean and cry on. His door was always open, literally, he never locked it. As his sons, Chad and Erich, moved on and away to grow their own families giving him a long list of grandchildren, Madison, Isabelah, Ezra, Kaleb, Arya, Sterling and Ella, Dad continued to connect and touch hearts and lives as the childhood friends we had continued to visit for years after we were gone. Always quick with a smile, a hug or joke, he could usually give you what you needed and if not, you just had to ask. Most of the time, it would just be his ear and that was enough.

We will never forget Yankee games, his love of black Labs or his obsession with Fresca. We will never forget the grandpa he was, like the time he "listened" to the GLP fireworks, made invisible by heavy fog, with Madison, because Erich was deployed. I will never forget the way he tended to gardens full of dahlias and vegetables - the most huge squash you'd ever see - or how he took care of Henrietta as her time here ended. Time passes and is sometimes lost, but love never is for it is eternal like the soul. We will never forget . . . .

Steve's family will greet family and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 18, at the Byles Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street, in Groton. Please visit www.byles.com to sign the online register or to share a memory.