Birthday & Fat Tuesday celebration.. with a sprinkle of St. Patrick's Day too. Squeezing in all the March celebrations with the cousins.

Fords & Montanos

The Montanos & Fords getting reacquainted with the BPL. This was a fun section of the library!

Steffano answering a million questions from cousin Beckett.

I'm so so sorry for your loss. My favorite memories of Steffano was when he would always pop by the CCSI office he was always full of energy and life. Together you both were a power couple I just loved how you all had a shared mission for justice (and I appreciate it even more now as a married woman myself). I'll always remember our conversations around food and a "mystery" Starbucks drink :). You all are in our prayers and sending a big virtual hug.

Had the pleasure to make my first wedding cake for Steffano’s wedding. It will forever be one of my most favorite cakes.

May Steff share his beautiful smiles with all the angels that surround him as he proceeds into the arms of Jesus to hear, “Well done, my child and faithful servant.”  

Jose and Lourdes, Rudy and I don’t have the right words to tell you how we feel about your loss.  May God give you strength. We love you and we are praying for you. 

Love, 

Rudy and Nadine😘

Here is a lovely obituary of Steffano that was posted at Fordham today: https://news.fordham.edu/university-news/fordham-mourns-the-loss-of-gre-professor-steffano-montano/

Steffano had such warmth and depth of presence. He could be light and cheerful and grounded and authentically attentive to serious matters at the same time. I particularly remember one afternoon where Christina and I and the kids went off to a playground and Steffano stayed at my house, apparently having a long conversation with my dad. When we came home, I said “Sorry we left you behind. I hope you were able to spend the time okay.” And he said, “You know, your dad is a pretty cool guy. I spent a lot of time with him and he has so many interesting stories, so many things he did, like…” and he named stories about my dad’s past activism and philosophical ponderings. That will always stick with me, because at that point in time, my dad’s dementia was already somewhat advanced. I was so used to, well, to put it honestly, “babying” my dad - speaking slowly to him, making sure he knew where to go or where to sit, worrying if something was going to agitate or confuse him. I was not really having grown-up conversations with him anymore. But clearly, he was so capable of it, that Steff could sit with him for a few hours and let this man, my father, have a male companion willing and able to have a regular conversation with him, who would hear his meandering stories and allow for a bit of his personhood to have space to be heard and received, lovingly. Steff reminded us of the deep importance to lovingly receive the personhood of each individual. Steff lived, taught, and accompanied others in living into this message of universal love. Steff - your legacy continues on in the lives and work of all the students, friends, colleagues, parishioners, communities, etc. that you have touched. Malaya and Christina, and your family, we walk with you in prayer and love in this tender time. ~ Bernardine, Brian, Hanalise, Mariela, Coralee, and Lucia

We are so grateful for the times -- both silly and serious -- that we've been able to have throughout the years. We love you!

We are so grateful for the times -- both silly and serious -- that we've been able to have throughout the years. We love you!

With friends from TEC at Paulina's

Blue icing from Melissa's birthday cookie cake

At Paulina's Books for Coffee House

I met Steffano through the Young Adult Group, One Way to Jesus in Pembroke Pines, FL. I gravitated towards him because of his kind nature and gentle smile. He offered a listening ear, non-judgmental eyes and a shoulder to cry on when I needed it.  He was my dancing partner, my kayaking partner and a great friend all around. We shared time at outings, Sonshine TEC #5, serving at St. Edward during carnivals, at Life in the Spirit Seminar, the Young Adult Crown Ministry and Cell Meetings.

I lost touch after I moved on from the group. The last time I saw him at a Christmas Mass at St. Max,  I had the blessing of seeing him happy with his wife and daughter. He also briefly met my husband. This made me realize how fast time had gone by and a decade later, we had families that beautifully encompassed our young hopes and dreams, but most importantly,  we were still holding on to our faith and calling out to Jesus to guide us through life's ups and downs.

My deepest condolences to his wife Christina,  his daughter Malaya, the entire Montano family and all his extended family and friends.  We find comfort in the hope that we will see him again in our Heavenly Father's house.

Today, I hold my family a little bit tighter because the miracle of Steff's life has shown us how to live in love and service to others. He lived his call to holiness and now he is leading the way... the One Way to Jesus.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" -John 14:6

Kayaking in Oleta Park

My kayaking partner

Always fun to be around him

Dining out with friends from OWTJ

Sweet friend, Steffano