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ORVALD STEFANSEN Obituary

STEFANSEN Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com Orvald Bruce Stef Stefansen passed away on Sunday, November 25th after a long and valiant fight against cancer. Born in Jacksonville on April 20, 1949, the third child of Olaf Orvald Stefansen and Grace Virginia Rice Stefansen, he attended Robert E. Lee High School and enjoyed their frequent reunions where he renewed old friendships. Stef attended FCCJ and the University of Georgia where he met his wife of 38 years, Pamela Seyler Stefansen. He was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity and served as its Social Chairman, a position he gravitated to in all phases of his life. After college, he worked briefly as a Prudential insurance agent and then as an employment counselor before beginning his long career as a real estate appraiser. Raised in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Bruce reconnected with the Lord in the Episcopal Church where he found his ministry in the Cursillo movement. With great vigor and enthusiasm, he ignited the Spirit in others all over the Diocese of Florida. While Cursillo was his passion, he also enjoyed golf, bridge, playing guitar and being with friends. Stef was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Pam, sons Scott Darin Stefansen and Jason Eric Stefansen, sister Linda Stefansen McKee (Richard), brother Jerry Olaf Stefansen (Marcia), cousins, nieces, nephews, and many beloved friends. A celebration of Stef's life will be held at 11a.m. on Saturday, December 1 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 7801 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Fl. 32211. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Episcopal Diocese Cursillo Fund in care of St. Andrew's, but Stef's memory will be most honored if you make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Christ.

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

Published by Florida Times-Union on Nov. 29, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for ORVALD STEFANSEN

30 Entries

Tom Prince

November 23, 2022

One of a kind - the GOOD kind. Miss him.

Tom Prince

November 23, 2021

He left a fine family & many friends who still miss him. The Dawg's season this year would have had him all fired up!

Betty Shiver

November 25, 2020

Stef was a “Brother” to my husband and a dear friend to me. He carried my husband to his grave and continued to be in our lives until his passing from this life.
He was well loved and much missed.

Tom Prince

November 23, 2020

You always brought the "Happy" with you. I miss that.

Betty Shiver

December 2, 2019

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. I know you and Randy are together watching over your families and perhaps even having a, heavenly version of Fiji Island !
Sending love to you and continued prayers to Pam.
Betty

Tom Prince

November 23, 2019

I remember his happy silly smile. He was one of a kind and still remembered. RIP

Jamed Allen MD

October 26, 2017

I expected to see you at UGA for our 50th anniversary Pig Dinner

December 10, 2012

Pam and Family,

We've known for sometime that Mr. Stefansen was very ill but were praying for a miracle. I believe now that Mr. Stefansen is with the Lord Jesus and completely pain-free and walking the streets of Heaven. Pam, I just found out yesterday of Mr. Stefansen's passing.Please know that you and your family will remain in our prayers. If you should need anything please call.
Tony, Patricia, Amy, Eva, Myra and the entire staff of Five Star Cleaning Service.

December 3, 2012

I prayed for God's mercy & now you are without pain . I'm remembering Pam & your boys in prayer during this time of loss & grief.

Anna Bailey

December 2, 2012

Pam, Scott & Jason. What a wonderful celebration of Stef's life at his memorial service yesterday. Stef would have been proud and probably had a hand in planning the service. Please know you are in my prayers during this difficult time of such a great loss. Know that you have many Cursillista friends to support you. We love you. The blessing in all of this is that Stef is no longer suffering and in the arms of Jesus who probably said "DeColores" and "Welcome" as he entered the gates of Heaven.

Lane & Steve Manis

November 30, 2012

Pam, Jason and Scott,
Steve and I are so sorry for your loss. Our sympathy and condolences for all of you.

Nancy Bailey

November 30, 2012

Rest in peace, Bruce. Your memory will remain in the hearts of all of us from the Class of '67.

November 30, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with Pam, Scott and Jason as they face this difficult time. We know that God is with them and is welcoming Stef home.

Jan and Ron Smith

Dave & Margaret Kidd

November 30, 2012

Our prayers are with the family, especially Pam. We have grown to love Stef with his enthusium for the Cursillo movement in the Diocese of Florida. Know you are playing your music with the angels.

Ann Hurst

November 30, 2012

Pam and Family:
You are in my thoughts and prayers and will be for days to come. We all take comfort in knowing that Stef now rests in the loving arms of OUR LORD and his pain is no more. May the peace of God be with you and may the soul of Our Brother rest eternally,
Pam, know that we love you and you have a Community that is here for you.

November 30, 2012

Our beloved brother in Christ "Stef" you were our Cursillo "rainbow"....I thank God for your Love and ministry to many, I know you have joined our Brad Chaffin in Heaven as many already there....and rejoice your worldly suffereing is at a end....my heart aches with Pam and family, there in thought and prayers.....My Sympathy and Heavy Heart....Charon Chaffin

Jackie Wright

November 30, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Betty Shiver

November 30, 2012

Bruce, "Steffo", was a dear friend/fraternity brother/college roommate of Randy Shiver. Bruce was not only a brother, but was a " brother-in-life". He and Randy were blessed to share weddings, the birth of children, the "bragging rites" that come with children, the opportunity to arrange/host a FIJI reunion, and family vacations. As a, "brother-in-life", Bruce took Randy to his grave. No one could have ever had a better friend, a better brother.
Bruce carried many burdens for many people. He shared many joys with many people. He brought many to the faith that has given him new life.

God Bless you and yours.

Charlene Richert

November 29, 2012

My heart goes out to your sweet family...Pam, Scott and Jason. I pray the Good Lord wraps His Loving Arms around you at this time.....the hope we have is that we may spend eternity with Bruce and our Lord.

November 29, 2012

My condolences to Pam and their two sons. I've known Bruce since I was 19 yrs. old and I'm now 45. He got me my first real job when he was with Key Personel. When I think of Bruce I'm reminded of his laughter that filled the room and a smile that was contagious. He was taken too soon. May he rest in peace.
Pam, My prayers are with you and your family.
Joanne Erickson

November 29, 2012

Decolores! We will miss Stef's enthusiasm, sense of humor and BIG Teddy bear heart. Much love, peace & comfort to the whole family. Kenny & CandyKiss (Stef's Snickers Girlfriend)

Stephen Dietze

November 29, 2012

Condolences to the whole family.I always saw Bruce as a sincere and loving person.

Tom Prince

November 29, 2012

Steffo was a lot of fun to be around & a genuinely nice guy. I am sorry he left us so soon.

Sherie (LaPan) Sovine

November 29, 2012

My prayers are lifted on high for family and friends.Though this is not original with me, it most aptly describes how we feel about Bruce's courage and fight:
God saw you getting weary,
He did what He thought best;
He put His arms around you
And said, "Come with Me and rest."
It was Grace that carried us
On that heartbreaking day,
His arms snug around you,
You gently slipped away.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you did not go alone;
A part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

Cathy Harrison

November 29, 2012

So thankful bruce was able to make the class reunion this past summer. Best wishes to his family.
Cathy Harrison

November 29, 2012

Stef! Wow... What a fun guy! We had many special memories through many years of being in school together. It was so good to see and be with him at our 45th High School Reunion! He was amazing at doing all he did during that time. I praise God for his desire to share the love of Jesus! My heartfelt prayers go out to each of you in the family. God bless ! julie smith

Lucy Wright McCook

November 29, 2012

Bruce was always the life of the party. His joy of life will be missed by all. May his family find peace and comfort in knowing his was a life well lived and a promised reunion awaits us.

judson webb

November 29, 2012

bruce was one of good guys.seems like the best seem to leave us too soon.

Robert Fore

November 29, 2012

Goodbye for a while, my dear friend. Hope the Dawgs win the SEC and a national championship for you. We will be together again. Go Dawgs! We put up our Christmas tree right where you suggested.

November 29, 2012

Bruce was a delight as a cousin. Memories of being at Aunt Grace and Uncle Stef's or at our house are dear.
Love, Ginny Hollum

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