Steven Knopf Obituary

SARATOGA SPRINGS Steven Knopf, age 46, died suddenly in Miami, February 8, 2004. Steve was a professional chef and restaurateur. His life included being a film-maker, writer, storyteller, part-time therapist and full-time guru to all who knew him. His passions were diving, traveling, amassing friends and collecting vintage cars that generally would not run. Steve lived his life based on four concepts: food, film, fun and philosophy. Steve cast a wide net across the globe, from Australia to Micronesia, and throughout the U.S. He is survived by his wife, Linda Reese of Saratoga Springs; mother, Evelyn Knopf-Vaccari and step-father, Raffael Vaccari, both of Ellicott City, Md.; brother, Michael Knopf, also of Md.; sister and brother-in-law, Sheryl Knopf and Ray Ledoux and nephew, Josh Ledoux, all of Greenfield, Mass.; uncle, Mark Freedman; and his in-laws, David and Mary Reese, Donna and Patrick Henry, Jim, Laura and Leanne Reese. He is predeceased by his father, Murray Knopf. Steve is also survived by his family, Dianne and Gary Zack; part-time brothers, Ronald Farber and Tommy Hyndman; and his soul-mate, Widow Nipps. A memorial service including Tales of a Fat Chef from a Small Town will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2004 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (584-5373). Calling hours will follow the service through 3:00 p.m. Donations in his memory may be made to the New York Gnostic Institute of Anthropology, 19 Front St., Ballston Spa, NY 12020. burkefuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albany Times Union on Feb. 11, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Steven Knopf

8 Entries

Irwin G michelman

February 5, 2025

You are here always Steven miss you alot I lost my daughter in 2009 that hurt a lot. Truly miss are talks!

Kimberly Marlowe

August 31, 2024

I knew Steven when I was in 7th-8th grade and spending my free time in the Jewish Community Center, then run by his father. It is safe to say that Steven was an enormous influence on my life. He embodied joy. Rest in Peace, dear Steven.

kevin kubitschek

August 7, 2024

I knew Steve from New Haven, Ct. I got news 45 years ago today I was accepted to law school. Shortly thereafter, I moved, but came back due to car troubles, had to unload my belongings and sell them, and he walked by. We spent the day together. That's how I'll always remember him. Not far removed from being a street kid-always running, hustling, laughing and having fun. I used to tease him and make him laugh. I tried to look him up today, and found he had died in 2004. That punched me in the gut. What a shame. A wonderful fellow. R.I.P. KJK, 8-7-24

Irwin G Michelman

September 28, 2023

Just thinking of you today Buddy really miss you and our chats you will always be regarded as my best friend

Joanne DiMarco

February 23, 2004

I worked with Steve at the Marriot and then got back in touch when I was working at Longfellows. Incredibly talented, hilariously funny and a joy to be around. The world of food and the world of fun have lost a great man. The next time I hear thunder I'll know either Steve made the angels a great meal or cracked a joke good for a hearty belly laugh.

Kevin Philbin

February 12, 2004

What a great fellow and inspiration. What a talented chef! Oddly, I was about to call him on his cell phone when I found out about Steven's passing.

We had eaten together, cooked together, laughed and talked about films together.

One of the last times we spoke was on the back dock of The Century House Restaurant this past September. He had just finished doing a funny and highly successful guest chef appearance in the restaurant. Dine was named restaurant of the year by The Restaurant Association. Life was good. Suffice it to say that I laughed for about 20 minutes.

I told my staff of his passing last night.

The kitchen was silent.

Kevin Philbin

Roxanne Barber

February 11, 2004

Here’s to the guy that ordered pizza delivery by screaming out of his kitchen into ours! I always admired Steve’s ability to make people laugh and to make light of any stressful situation that may have caused any "normal" person a great deal of stress. And what a great teacher he was. If it weren't for him and Ronnie, who knows what I would be cooking now or would have served at Giacone's. Since our kitchen door at Giacone's faced his and Linda’s kitchen door, we quite often exchanged food and of course dessert! I always looked forward to his cooking and the laughs spent with him. Every time we were in one of our three kitchens (Dine too) I always walked away with learning something new and of course, laughing. I will miss the crazy food that I would only eat because he made it. And even if we disagreed (I had dibs on the mixer at the garage sale first!) some how we were STILL laughing. I send my deepest regards to Linda, Ronnie, everyone at Dine and everyone else’s lives he made funnier.RIP

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results