Stephen John Massicotte

Stephen John Massicotte was born in Manchester, NH on October 25, 1954 and raised in Londonderry by parents Maurice and Molly Massicotte. As a child he developed a love for science, saving up to buy his own microscope and chemistry kit when his contemporaries were riding bicycles and playing sports. He and a childhood friend made local newspapers by breaking an endurance record through simulating a 76 hour space mission (just prior to the 1969 Apollo 11 first moon landing) with a unique spaceship built as a family project in the Massicotte backyard, foreshadowing Steve's lifelong love of space and science fiction. Steve was an excellent student, participating in the summer program at the St. Paul's School of Advanced Studies while attending Manchester Memorial High School, and then onto the University of New Hampshire to obtain an undergraduate degree in zoology in 1976. Upon graduation, he moved to Winthrop, MA to work as a research lab assistant at the Eye Research Institute of Retina Foundation in Boston (now Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass. Eye & Ear), and fell in love with the city, a love that endured throughout his life. After five years in Boston, he decided to enthusiastically pursue the field of ophthalmology, matriculating at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. While at Dartmouth he met fellow med student Holly Hendrickson, and they married just prior to graduation in 1985. The couple moved to Pittsburgh, where Steve completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Pittsburgh, then Iowa City for an Eye Pathology Fellowship at the University of Iowa. Holly and Steve welcomed their first child, Leslie Marie, in 1991, then shortly after moved to Indianapolis, where Steve as an Assistant Professor taught eye pathology and supervised ophthalmology residents at Indiana University School of Medicine. While at IU, he authored numerous ophthalmologic research articles, and he was honored with winning the teacher of the year award in his early years there. Steve and Holly welcomed second daughter Elise Anne in 1993, and third daughter Julia Eileen in 1995. In 2000 Steve left IU to start his own ophthalmology practice in Indianapolis, where he worked to build a loyal patient base and community of fellow ophthalmologists in the area. In 2010 Steve and Holly amicably parted ways, and Steve moved to a house by a lake in Indianapolis. He adopted a dog from the Indy Humane Society that he named Watson, whom he adored. Steve retired from practice in 2019, and soon after was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. His condition steadily worsened over the next few years until he could no longer stay at his beloved home. He spent the last few months of his life at the Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis, in good spirits and joking until the end. Steve passed peacefully April 5th, 2024 at age 69. He is survived by his favorite Aunt Connie; his brother Phil (wife Cheryl); his daughters Leslie (husband Colin), Elise, and Julia (husband Sam); their mother Holly; and grandson Oliver (Leslie & Colin). A celebration of life was held for close friends and family in June 2024. Steve will be greatly missed and his glorious sense of humor will remain in our memories forever. Donations in Steve's name may be made to the Boston Museum of Science here (mos.org).