There are so many great memories I have of him over the years. I will think back and remember the times my brother, Katie, Steve and I would visit in his garge when we were younger. I enjoyed how it was always changing and he made me laugh everytime I visited.
In recent times I will remember him dancing and singing at Katie and Greg’s wedding. He was so happy, smiling, and so full of life.
It was many years ago, and Steve would be on ebay bidding on baseball memoriablia for Anthony. When he would win the bidding he would call out Hey Kath, I got a whatever it was for Anthony ! I can hear him as if it were yesterday. He always had a special way of making everyone laugh !
Steve and I worked in Office Services a long time, and one of the things we would look forward too, was the noon hour. The noon hour was our favorite time of the day, and not because it was luch time, but instead because it was the 106.7 KROQ Flashback hour. Steve would crank up the radio during this time because they would play classic 80′s flashbacks. The radio we had in the service center didn’t work half the time, but when the 80′s flashbacks came on; Steve made the radio work somehow.
Every day of my life with Steve created my favorite memory – it hs become a 22 year long memory of time spent with my husband, my best friend and the love of my life. So, if I have to pick one favorite memory, it has to be the very first time I looked into those sparkling, smiling brown eyes when buying a cup of coffee from him at the Good Neighbor Market in Santa Barbara nearly 22 years ago. From that moment on, every day with Steve was my life….not merely a memory.
I have loved him with all of my heart since the day we met. We always knew we’d be together forever – we just didn’t know that forever would end so soon. We’ve all been cheated by this tragic loss, yet I know how we were blessed with his love and his presence. Imagine how lucky I was to be his bride and the mother of his wonderful son? I will carry that gift with me forever.
Thank you all for your warm remembrances of Steve. He was the light of my life, put the smile on my face, and leaves his warmth in my heart.
I was always happy to see Steve because he always seemed happy to see me. But that’s how he was with everyone. He made you feel as if every occasion was a special one. A humble and giving man. That’s how I will remember him. I wish there was more time to spend with him.
Steve and I first met at Toluca Baseball where our two sons played baseball.
Our friendship grew as our two boys attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School and competed together on the school’s athletic teams. In the last couple of years we became really close friends through Steve’s volunteer help at North Hollywood High School where I teach and my help on occasions at Bell-Jeff High School where he and Joyce were in charge of Booster Club food operations. Steve was a wonderful person! He was always optimistic, understanding, and loving. You could count on him to bring a smile and laugh when things got challenging. He was a great husband, father, and friend!
In High School at Bishop, Steve sold me a pair of track shoes he had since I did not have any. He sold them to me for next to nothing, at the time my parents didn’t have a lot of extra money. He also let me practice driving his pick up he was driving at the time, another example of how selfless he was even back in his teenage years. My father would see Steve after we had graduated from High School at Aiello’s market and Steve would always ask about me and my father would always comment on how nice and friendly he was….. I’m happy to have known him and feel the lose even all these years later!! Don’t know his Som or Wife but my thoughts, Prayers and Love is with them. David Raines
I am honored to have had the privilege to be around Steve for the past year. He was a great father who was always there for his son Anthony and was dedicated to helping others.
What I’ll remember is, that Steve always took time to talk to the player’s on the various teams at Bell-Jeff and was genuinely interested in how they were doing.
And when you would see him at the games (in the stands or, at his favorite spot cooking “Guard Dogs” on the grill) he always had something nice and encouraging to say about your son or daughter.
He was also known for slipping the kid’s a free Guard Dog every now and then
I am so saddened by the passing of a very dear friend. Steve was truly a part of the Deras family for many many years. The memories I have of Steve have come back to my heart and mind and have made me smile. I can hear him laugh even though it has been years since I last saw him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time and in the long hard days to come. Carla, I think about you often and wish you peace, my friend.
I am sure Steve is throwing the ball around in heaven with my dad, Manuel Deras who loved him like his own.
Take care of each other and know Steve will be remembered and missed beyond words. Rest in Paradise, Steve.
I will never be able to think of Steve for the rest of my life without picturing his smiling eyes and hearing him exclaim “Joye Gould!” Like I was the one person in all the world he’d been waiting to see. I have a feeling you all know exactly what I mean….
I will miss Steve Aiello greatly.
I am lucky to have known him.
My memories of Steve are his smile. From the time he was born, he was smiling, laughing, joking around. Anything for a laugh. He was a bright spirit. A light as bright as his never dies. It serves to always light the way of those whom he loved and who loved him. His spirit will live on in all of us whose lives he touched. Thank you, Steve, for shining your light upon us so that we may carry it with us and shine it upon the others in our lives that we will touch with it.
My brother, my friend, my glue. I don’t think I can just sum up one favorite memory of Steve. When we were little, we were inseparable. He held my hand walking down the street. He rode by my side on bicycles. He helped me catch polywogs, which were supposed to turn into frogs but somehow. . . never lasted that long in our jars. Boy did we try. He always climbed the loquat tree with me and ate them at least once a day. I think he even had to take me to the bathroom, which, for a boy was probably horrible. He was my glue. When we got older, he introduced my husband to me. I remember that he told Ronnie what a wonderful, take home to mama kind of girl I was. And of course, she can sure bake a great pumpkin pie! A great reason to marry me. I am forever grateful that he introduced us. Without Steve, life would not have been life. I love him, loved him, and always will love him.
My best memory of Steve:
First of all, I used to be one of the managers at Lucky’s Grocery Store in Santa Barbara. Steve and his sister Lisa came to me to work during a very long strike at the store. I remember the first question Steve asked me. “Do we get breaks here?” I said, “Yes! Ten minutes and you can take your break upstairs or on the back dock.” Fifteen minutes later, Steve was smoking a cig on the back dock. I asked him, “What are you doin?” He looked at me with those big eyes and said, “Well, I’m takin a break!” I said, “You’ve only been here fifteen minutes. You have to work two hours before you’re entitled to a break.” Steve said, “Sorry Ron, sorry.” I laughed and he laughed and that’s what you do with Steve, is you laugh. He was a hard worker and always talked real talk. We would fill the milk box together and talk about women. (Isn’t that what you do when you’re filling a milk box at the grocery store?) I had told him about some very scary relationships that I had been involved with. And Stevie, with that powerful salesmanship that he carried, began to make his move. “You know Ron, what you really need is a good woman. One that you can take home to mom and she’ll take care of you and even make you a good apple pie.” I told Steve that he’d been smokin something a little harsher than a cigarette. I began to tell him that there were no women left like this. He looked at me and with his “ha, ha, ha laugh” said, “Oh, they’re still around. And I just happen to be in touch with one.” Of course, we must know, Steve was talkin about his sister Lisa. In November of this year it will be 24 years that I have been with Steve’s sister, Lisa. Without Steve my family would not even exist.
I have never been happier than to see the many people give dedication to a man who deserved more at the funeral. I regret not being closer to this man. Family indifferences can cause havoc to a relationship that is meant to be. Seeing Steve’s son Anthony only enhances the truth behind Steve Aiello. I sat at the funeral and carried the regret of not working harder on a relationship that was meant to be. Steve’s wife, Joyce, has eyes to see. Anthony carries those same eyes. What can a tragic event like this teach us? I sat in his funeral and looked at myself and knew I could’ve done more. I believe funerals are not as much for the ones passing, but for the ones that are left behind to review themself. I say to Steve, “I regret not seeing you more.” I say to Joyce, “I will change this today if I am given the chance.” I say to Anthony, “I will spend time to get to know you, for you are an extension of your father and a good young man. And I say to God, “Thank you for my brother-in-law and for using him to show me myself and the flaws that I carry.”
I love you Steve and you leave me with only good memories,
My brother, my friend, my glue. I don’t think I can just sum up one favorite memory of Steve. When we were little, we were inseparable. He held my hand walking down the street. He rode by my side on bicycles. He helped me catch polywogs, which were supposed to turn into frogs but somehow. . .never lasted that long in our jars. Boy did we try. He always climbed the loquat tree with me and ate them at least once a day. I think he even had to take me to the bathroom, which, for a boy was probably horrible. He was my glue. When we got older, he introduced my husband to me. I remember that he told Ronnie what a wonderful, take home to mama kind of girl I was. And of course, she can sure bake a great pumpkii pie! A great reason to marry me. I am forever grateful that he introduced us. Without Steve, life would not have been life. I love him, loved him, and always will love him.
My best memory of Steve:
First of all, I used to be one of the managers at Lucky’s Grocery Store in Santa Barbara. Steve and his sister Lisa came to me to work during a very long strike at the store. I remember the first question Steve asked me. “Do we get breaks here?” I said, “Yes! Ten minutes and you can take your break upstairs or on the back dock.” Fifteen minutes later, Steve was smoking a cig on the back dock. I asked him, “What are you doin?” He looked at me with those big eyes and said, “Well, I’m takin a break!” I said, “You’ve only been here fifteen minutes. You have to work two hours before you’re entitled to a break.” Steve said, “Sorry Ron, sorry.” I laughed and that’s what you do with Steve, is you laugh. He was a hard worker and always talked real talk. We would fill the milk box together and talk about women. (Isn’t that what you do when you’re filling a mik box at the grocery store?) I had told him about some very scary relationships that I had been involved with. And Stevie, with that powerful salesmanship that he carried, began to make his move. “You know Ron, what you really need is a good woman. One that you can take home to mom and she’ll take care of you and even make you a good apple pie.” I told Steve that he’d been smokin something a little harsher than a cigarette. I began to tell him that there were no women left like this. He looked at me and with his “ha ha ha laugh” said, “Oh they’re still around. And I just happen to be in touch with one.” Of course, we must know, Steve was talkin about his sister Lisa. In November of this year it will be 24 years that I have been with Steve’s sister, Lisa. Without Steve, my family would not even exist.
I have never been happier than to see the many people give dedication to a man who deserved more at the funeral. I regret not being closer to this man. Family indifferences can cause havoc to a relationship that is meant to be. Seeing Steve’s son Anthony only enhances the truth behind Steve Aiello. I sat at the funeral and carried the regret of not working harder on a relationship that was meant to be. Steve’s wife Joyce, has eyes to see. Anthony carries those same eyes. What can a tragic event like this teach us? I sat in his funeral and looked at myself and knew I could’ve done more. I believe funerals are not as much for the ones passing, but for the ones that are left behind to review themselves. I say to Steve, “I regret not seeing you more.” I say to Joyce, “I will change this today if I am given the chance.” I say to Anthony, “I will spend time to get to know you, for you are an extension of your father and a good young man.” And I say to God, “Thank you for my brother-in-law and for using him to show me myself and the flaws that I carry.”
I love you Steve and you leave me with only good memories
My brother, my friend, my glue. I don’t think I can just sum up one favorite memory of Steve. When we were little, we were inseparable. He held my hand walking down the street. He rode by my side on bicycles. He helped me catch polywogs, which were supposed to turn into frogs but somehow. . . never lasted that long in our jars. Boy did we try. He always climbed the loquat tree with me and ate them at least once a day. I think he even had to take me to the bathroom, which, for a boy was probably horrible. He was my glue. When we got older, he introduced my husband to me. I remember that he told Ronnie what a wonderful, take home to mama kind of girl I was. And of course, she can sure bake a great pumpkin pie! A great reason to marry me. I am forever grateful that he introduced us. Without Steve, life would not have been life. I love him, loved him, and always will love him.
16 comments
Comments feed for this article
August 18, 2009 at 4:47 am
Shoshana Harris-Hay
There are so many great memories I have of him over the years. I will think back and remember the times my brother, Katie, Steve and I would visit in his garge when we were younger. I enjoyed how it was always changing and he made me laugh everytime I visited.
In recent times I will remember him dancing and singing at Katie and Greg’s wedding. He was so happy, smiling, and so full of life.
August 18, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Kathy Platts
It was many years ago, and Steve would be on ebay bidding on baseball memoriablia for Anthony. When he would win the bidding he would call out Hey Kath, I got a whatever it was for Anthony ! I can hear him as if it were yesterday. He always had a special way of making everyone laugh !
August 20, 2009 at 1:05 am
Sergio Gallegos
Steve and I worked in Office Services a long time, and one of the things we would look forward too, was the noon hour. The noon hour was our favorite time of the day, and not because it was luch time, but instead because it was the 106.7 KROQ Flashback hour. Steve would crank up the radio during this time because they would play classic 80′s flashbacks. The radio we had in the service center didn’t work half the time, but when the 80′s flashbacks came on; Steve made the radio work somehow.
August 20, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Joyce Aiello
Every day of my life with Steve created my favorite memory – it hs become a 22 year long memory of time spent with my husband, my best friend and the love of my life. So, if I have to pick one favorite memory, it has to be the very first time I looked into those sparkling, smiling brown eyes when buying a cup of coffee from him at the Good Neighbor Market in Santa Barbara nearly 22 years ago. From that moment on, every day with Steve was my life….not merely a memory.
I have loved him with all of my heart since the day we met. We always knew we’d be together forever – we just didn’t know that forever would end so soon. We’ve all been cheated by this tragic loss, yet I know how we were blessed with his love and his presence. Imagine how lucky I was to be his bride and the mother of his wonderful son? I will carry that gift with me forever.
Thank you all for your warm remembrances of Steve. He was the light of my life, put the smile on my face, and leaves his warmth in my heart.
August 21, 2009 at 12:28 am
Bill Montini
I was always happy to see Steve because he always seemed happy to see me. But that’s how he was with everyone. He made you feel as if every occasion was a special one. A humble and giving man. That’s how I will remember him. I wish there was more time to spend with him.
August 21, 2009 at 1:23 am
Larry La Face
Steve and I first met at Toluca Baseball where our two sons played baseball.
Our friendship grew as our two boys attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School and competed together on the school’s athletic teams. In the last couple of years we became really close friends through Steve’s volunteer help at North Hollywood High School where I teach and my help on occasions at Bell-Jeff High School where he and Joyce were in charge of Booster Club food operations. Steve was a wonderful person! He was always optimistic, understanding, and loving. You could count on him to bring a smile and laugh when things got challenging. He was a great husband, father, and friend!
August 21, 2009 at 2:58 am
David Raines
In High School at Bishop, Steve sold me a pair of track shoes he had since I did not have any. He sold them to me for next to nothing, at the time my parents didn’t have a lot of extra money. He also let me practice driving his pick up he was driving at the time, another example of how selfless he was even back in his teenage years. My father would see Steve after we had graduated from High School at Aiello’s market and Steve would always ask about me and my father would always comment on how nice and friendly he was….. I’m happy to have known him and feel the lose even all these years later!! Don’t know his Som or Wife but my thoughts, Prayers and Love is with them. David Raines
August 21, 2009 at 5:18 am
Eric "Rico" Reed
I am honored to have had the privilege to be around Steve for the past year. He was a great father who was always there for his son Anthony and was dedicated to helping others.
What I’ll remember is, that Steve always took time to talk to the player’s on the various teams at Bell-Jeff and was genuinely interested in how they were doing.
And when you would see him at the games (in the stands or, at his favorite spot cooking “Guard Dogs” on the grill) he always had something nice and encouraging to say about your son or daughter.
He was also known for slipping the kid’s a free Guard Dog every now and then
God Bless you Steve, you are truly missed.
August 21, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Dianne Deras Kirwood
I am so saddened by the passing of a very dear friend. Steve was truly a part of the Deras family for many many years. The memories I have of Steve have come back to my heart and mind and have made me smile. I can hear him laugh even though it has been years since I last saw him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time and in the long hard days to come. Carla, I think about you often and wish you peace, my friend.
I am sure Steve is throwing the ball around in heaven with my dad, Manuel Deras who loved him like his own.
Take care of each other and know Steve will be remembered and missed beyond words. Rest in Paradise, Steve.
August 22, 2009 at 8:14 pm
joye Swan
I will never be able to think of Steve for the rest of my life without picturing his smiling eyes and hearing him exclaim “Joye Gould!” Like I was the one person in all the world he’d been waiting to see. I have a feeling you all know exactly what I mean….
I will miss Steve Aiello greatly.
I am lucky to have known him.
August 22, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Carloyn Aiello
My memories of Steve are his smile. From the time he was born, he was smiling, laughing, joking around. Anything for a laugh. He was a bright spirit. A light as bright as his never dies. It serves to always light the way of those whom he loved and who loved him. His spirit will live on in all of us whose lives he touched. Thank you, Steve, for shining your light upon us so that we may carry it with us and shine it upon the others in our lives that we will touch with it.
With abundance love and affection,
Your (big) cousin,
Carolyn
August 29, 2009 at 1:10 am
Lisa McMullen (Aiello)
My brother, my friend, my glue. I don’t think I can just sum up one favorite memory of Steve. When we were little, we were inseparable. He held my hand walking down the street. He rode by my side on bicycles. He helped me catch polywogs, which were supposed to turn into frogs but somehow. . . never lasted that long in our jars. Boy did we try. He always climbed the loquat tree with me and ate them at least once a day. I think he even had to take me to the bathroom, which, for a boy was probably horrible. He was my glue. When we got older, he introduced my husband to me. I remember that he told Ronnie what a wonderful, take home to mama kind of girl I was. And of course, she can sure bake a great pumpkin pie! A great reason to marry me. I am forever grateful that he introduced us. Without Steve, life would not have been life. I love him, loved him, and always will love him.
Steve’s little sister,
Lisa
August 29, 2009 at 5:15 am
Ronnie McMullen brother in law
My best memory of Steve:
First of all, I used to be one of the managers at Lucky’s Grocery Store in Santa Barbara. Steve and his sister Lisa came to me to work during a very long strike at the store. I remember the first question Steve asked me. “Do we get breaks here?” I said, “Yes! Ten minutes and you can take your break upstairs or on the back dock.” Fifteen minutes later, Steve was smoking a cig on the back dock. I asked him, “What are you doin?” He looked at me with those big eyes and said, “Well, I’m takin a break!” I said, “You’ve only been here fifteen minutes. You have to work two hours before you’re entitled to a break.” Steve said, “Sorry Ron, sorry.” I laughed and he laughed and that’s what you do with Steve, is you laugh. He was a hard worker and always talked real talk. We would fill the milk box together and talk about women. (Isn’t that what you do when you’re filling a milk box at the grocery store?) I had told him about some very scary relationships that I had been involved with. And Stevie, with that powerful salesmanship that he carried, began to make his move. “You know Ron, what you really need is a good woman. One that you can take home to mom and she’ll take care of you and even make you a good apple pie.” I told Steve that he’d been smokin something a little harsher than a cigarette. I began to tell him that there were no women left like this. He looked at me and with his “ha, ha, ha laugh” said, “Oh, they’re still around. And I just happen to be in touch with one.” Of course, we must know, Steve was talkin about his sister Lisa. In November of this year it will be 24 years that I have been with Steve’s sister, Lisa. Without Steve my family would not even exist.
I have never been happier than to see the many people give dedication to a man who deserved more at the funeral. I regret not being closer to this man. Family indifferences can cause havoc to a relationship that is meant to be. Seeing Steve’s son Anthony only enhances the truth behind Steve Aiello. I sat at the funeral and carried the regret of not working harder on a relationship that was meant to be. Steve’s wife, Joyce, has eyes to see. Anthony carries those same eyes. What can a tragic event like this teach us? I sat in his funeral and looked at myself and knew I could’ve done more. I believe funerals are not as much for the ones passing, but for the ones that are left behind to review themself. I say to Steve, “I regret not seeing you more.” I say to Joyce, “I will change this today if I am given the chance.” I say to Anthony, “I will spend time to get to know you, for you are an extension of your father and a good young man. And I say to God, “Thank you for my brother-in-law and for using him to show me myself and the flaws that I carry.”
I love you Steve and you leave me with only good memories,
Ronnie
August 30, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Lisa McMullen (Aiello)
My brother, my friend, my glue. I don’t think I can just sum up one favorite memory of Steve. When we were little, we were inseparable. He held my hand walking down the street. He rode by my side on bicycles. He helped me catch polywogs, which were supposed to turn into frogs but somehow. . .never lasted that long in our jars. Boy did we try. He always climbed the loquat tree with me and ate them at least once a day. I think he even had to take me to the bathroom, which, for a boy was probably horrible. He was my glue. When we got older, he introduced my husband to me. I remember that he told Ronnie what a wonderful, take home to mama kind of girl I was. And of course, she can sure bake a great pumpkii pie! A great reason to marry me. I am forever grateful that he introduced us. Without Steve, life would not have been life. I love him, loved him, and always will love him.
Steve’s little sister,
Lisa
August 30, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Ronnie McMullen brother in law
My best memory of Steve:
First of all, I used to be one of the managers at Lucky’s Grocery Store in Santa Barbara. Steve and his sister Lisa came to me to work during a very long strike at the store. I remember the first question Steve asked me. “Do we get breaks here?” I said, “Yes! Ten minutes and you can take your break upstairs or on the back dock.” Fifteen minutes later, Steve was smoking a cig on the back dock. I asked him, “What are you doin?” He looked at me with those big eyes and said, “Well, I’m takin a break!” I said, “You’ve only been here fifteen minutes. You have to work two hours before you’re entitled to a break.” Steve said, “Sorry Ron, sorry.” I laughed and that’s what you do with Steve, is you laugh. He was a hard worker and always talked real talk. We would fill the milk box together and talk about women. (Isn’t that what you do when you’re filling a mik box at the grocery store?) I had told him about some very scary relationships that I had been involved with. And Stevie, with that powerful salesmanship that he carried, began to make his move. “You know Ron, what you really need is a good woman. One that you can take home to mom and she’ll take care of you and even make you a good apple pie.” I told Steve that he’d been smokin something a little harsher than a cigarette. I began to tell him that there were no women left like this. He looked at me and with his “ha ha ha laugh” said, “Oh they’re still around. And I just happen to be in touch with one.” Of course, we must know, Steve was talkin about his sister Lisa. In November of this year it will be 24 years that I have been with Steve’s sister, Lisa. Without Steve, my family would not even exist.
I have never been happier than to see the many people give dedication to a man who deserved more at the funeral. I regret not being closer to this man. Family indifferences can cause havoc to a relationship that is meant to be. Seeing Steve’s son Anthony only enhances the truth behind Steve Aiello. I sat at the funeral and carried the regret of not working harder on a relationship that was meant to be. Steve’s wife Joyce, has eyes to see. Anthony carries those same eyes. What can a tragic event like this teach us? I sat in his funeral and looked at myself and knew I could’ve done more. I believe funerals are not as much for the ones passing, but for the ones that are left behind to review themselves. I say to Steve, “I regret not seeing you more.” I say to Joyce, “I will change this today if I am given the chance.” I say to Anthony, “I will spend time to get to know you, for you are an extension of your father and a good young man.” And I say to God, “Thank you for my brother-in-law and for using him to show me myself and the flaws that I carry.”
I love you Steve and you leave me with only good memories
Ronnie
August 30, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Lisa McMullen
My brother, my friend, my glue. I don’t think I can just sum up one favorite memory of Steve. When we were little, we were inseparable. He held my hand walking down the street. He rode by my side on bicycles. He helped me catch polywogs, which were supposed to turn into frogs but somehow. . . never lasted that long in our jars. Boy did we try. He always climbed the loquat tree with me and ate them at least once a day. I think he even had to take me to the bathroom, which, for a boy was probably horrible. He was my glue. When we got older, he introduced my husband to me. I remember that he told Ronnie what a wonderful, take home to mama kind of girl I was. And of course, she can sure bake a great pumpkin pie! A great reason to marry me. I am forever grateful that he introduced us. Without Steve, life would not have been life. I love him, loved him, and always will love him.
Steve’s little sister,
Lisa