A-to-Z of you and me

-Always there to talk when I called,

-“Bro,” my name for you,

-Calls and cards with money for Garret on holidays and birthdays, even after Heidi died,

-Dog and cat stories to share,

-Erika, my mother, always reporting on “her Stevie,”

-Failing to reach you during those last two weeks, wondering what was going on,

-“G-Man,” your name for Garret,

-Heidi and how you cared for her those last months,

-I wish I’d prodded you more about how you were doing.

-Jokes galore,

-Kiss symbols on texts, emails, cards,

-Love for animals and family so obvious,

-Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, where we five walked together last,

-New Jersey—you moved there for her, really.

-Oak Ridge, NJ—your final address.

-Pictures your sister sent me of Heidi after cleaning out your place,

-Questions my mother refuses to address concerning cause of death,

-Remembering you with sadness,

sadness that I lost my brother-in-law and also the way he sort of kept my sister alive for me,

-Sis, your name for me.

-Talking to you only in my head now,

-Understanding only dimly,

-Valuing you,

-Words with Friends no longer shows active games between us—just says “you’ve timed out” next to your name.

-X-ray vision into your heart might’ve helped,

-You’ve timed out.

-Zen is my comfort now. 

I met Steve when he came to work at Marksmen and it didn’t take long for us to form a bond due to our mutual love of animals. I always admired his dedication to his work with 11th Hour and have him to thank for us adopting our dog Timber. On the days I brought Timber to the office, Steve would usually bring in whichever pup he was fostering at the time. Timber’s all time favorite was a Pittie named Plato who would climb all over him.

Steve and I would also share many football discussions comparing his Bears to my Packers and even battled many weeks over the office pool.

Several years ago when he was dog sitting locally, Timber was thrilled to convince his “Uncle Steve” to stop at the Blairstown dog park to hang with us. Regrettably, that’s the last time we saw each other.

I did reach out to him this past June to see how he was and we had a nice chat, still about football and (as always) his concern for Timber who’s about to turn 12. I can’t express how terribly sorry I was to hear a few months later that Steve had left us. As our fellow co-worker Allan Wysmuller expressed, I too hope Steve knew how much he meant to everyone who knew him. He was a kind soul and will truly be missed .

Dianne , Tom & Timber Raftery

I was stunned and saddened by the news of Steve’s passing. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

I worked with Steve as a fellow volunteer at many 11th Hour Rescue events. I always looked forward to seeing him on weekend mornings at Petsmart in Rockaway – usually hanging out with Marlene Dodd. He was the kind of person other people wanted to be around, and his kindness and love for the animals was unwavering. He pitched in wherever and whenever it was needed, fully committed and without hesitation.

But beyond being part of the 11th Hour volunteer community together, our lives intersected at three very important points.

The first was in March of 2010, while we were at a Petsmart adoption event together. Back then volunteers would often take the dogs out of the crates for long stretches of time so that potential adopters could interact with them. One of the dogs there that day was a quiet senior German Shepherd mix named Russell, who had just recently arrived from Georgia. He was a large, calm boy. I took him out of his crate and we hung out for most of the day with Steve and Marlene. I think Steve could tell that I had a connection with Russell, but my husband and I already had 2 dogs at home, so I dismissed the thought of making any kind of commitment beyond the day. But with Steve’s encouragement, my husband and I decided to bring Russell home and foster him. Of course, it was only supposed to be for a short time….but in the end, we decided to make Russell a permanent part of our pack. We lost him after only a few short years due to cancer, but we loved him dearly and I can’t imagine not having had him in our lives.

The second intersection point came later that same year. We were fostering two cats who had been surrendered by their owners because the family was moving to California and didn’t want to take the cats with them. One was a quiet gray cat named Fisher and the other was a feisty senior Calico named Martsch. One day when I was at an adoption event at Petsmart, Steve surprised me by saying that he was interested in taking over as foster for Martsch. I was so happy for her. He took her home and after a while he made the relationship permanent. Sweet Martsch finally had the loving forever home she deserved.

The last point of intersection came in the late Spring of 2018, when I experienced the sudden tragic loss of my beloved husband, Stephen. I ran into Steve unexpectedly that summer and when I shared the sad news, I could see he was shaken. He knew exactly what I was going through. He knew Stephen well from 11th Hour events. A few weeks later we met for lunch. After he drove me home, we sat together on a bench under the maple trees in my back yard and talked for several hours about our grief. Steve shared his feelings about losing Heidi, and he listened with true compassion and kindness as I talked about Stephen, my fears about the future, and the pain of losing my soulmate of over 30 years. It was one of the most meaningful conversations I have ever had – one I have never forgotten and will always cherish.

Steve, I am grateful to you for encouraging me to trust my heart with Russell – he was such a wonderful dog who brought us so much joy. I am grateful to you for giving sweet, beautiful Martsch her chance at true happiness after her original family let her down. But most of all, I am so grateful to you for that afternoon on the bench. It gave me a few hours of peace and comfort at the most difficult time in my life.

When you came to work at Marksmen I knew you only as a former employee of my boss, the owner, Glenn. I wasn't sure if you were a friend of Glenn, a relative or his understudy (?!). It didn't matter, you became my friend. Soon you were a dinner guest with my family and became a friend to Nancy, my wife. 

Your love of animals drew me to you. The first children Nancy and I had were cats and dogs, and we knew you were good, as our four legged kids loved you immediately. I welcomed the times when you were like my younger brother, especially when trying to help you maintain a close relationship with Glenn, our mutual "boss", and friend.  You made it a challenge (!). 

I know that you never were able to reconcile the passing of Heidi. Try, as I did, you could not stop blaming yourself for not having the funds or insurance to provide the help you felt she needed, despite her inevitable passing.  It's sad, in retrospect, that despite all the love you gathered through your love of cats and dogs, the joy you gave to all who knew you, that infectious smile and glint in your eyes, that was always at the ready, will not be around. 

If only you had known how valued you were to any that knew you.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May he bless you with Peace. "To live in hearts that stay behind, is not to die."

Lined up side by side in an aisle of honor they greeted Steve, all the dogs and cats he cared for and loved while here in humanly form that paved the way before him. His kind spirit, generous soul, gentle manner, wickedly on-point humor, mischievous smile, and tranquil eyes will live on through us that had the pleasure of working with him and still call him friend.

A light may have gone out down here on Earth, but Steve’s star is shining brightly and his Heavenly work has just begun.

Steve — One of the good ones in rescue for sure. 

Fran S