At 5:30pm on January 31st, 2025, Steve Campbell left this world surrounded by loved ones. For those of us blessed to have him in our lives, he was a loving father, husband, son, brother, teacher, coach, mentor, and friend. Steve was kind, funny, empathetic, compassionate, and patient. His hard-fought battle with lung cancer was short, having received a stage 4 diagnosis just before Thanksgiving of 2024. Our memories of Steve, however, will be of how he chose to live. Steve Campbell lived his life by one simple rule: what you put out into the universe is what you will get in return.
Steve is survived by his wife Christine, daughter Alexandra, son Thomas, his mother Germaine, sister Myra, brother Pat, and countless cousins. Steve’s family grew throughout his life in the friends he called his brothers. In his passing, Steve joins his father and brother, Arnold and Mike Campbell. Steve’s family was everything to him, and he was a self-proclaimed, card-carrying mama’s boy. He called his mother every night; A tradition now carried on by his son, Thomas. Above all, his greatest treasures in life were his children. Steve and Jackie (Boylan) were married in 1988 and had two beautiful children together. Alexandra Elizabeth, born in 1991, and Thomas William, born in 1993. As adults, both of his children exemplify Steve’s enthusiasm, curiosity, integrity and joyful sense of humor.
Steve loved his children. He enjoyed reminding his mother that he was raising them the same way he had been raised. He read bedtime stories, let Alex win playing HORSE in the driveway, and played catch until it was too dark to see. He taught them the difference between right and wrong and that kindness is always the right choice. Dad was always ready with advice, hugs, and never missed an opportunity to spend time with them. Tom and Alex’s fiercest supporter; He was always by their side. Sometimes, that meant scouring the yard at 4am for bugs to bring into school for science class or giving a presentation to a class full of 2nd graders while wearing a full hazmat suit. In tougher times, his gentle support bolstered them through illness, pain, struggle, and change.
It was no small feat that he attended every possible school play, concert, baseball, softball, and volleyball game of their lives, even throughout the summer Thomas joined three separate travel baseball teams and played over 100 games! Steve took that passion one step further by coaching several teams and making an impact not only on his children, but on their friends as well. His patience and enthusiasm made him an effective coach and mentor.
In his wife Christine, Steve found love again. He married his best friend on a perfect sunny day in January 2017. Steve and Christine spent every minute loving one another, building their faith, and enjoying life. They took the trip of a lifetime to Scotland in 2024 to celebrate Steve’s 60th birthday. At Inveraray Castle, they performed their own hand-fasting ceremony, forever binding them together at his ancestor’s home. Though she may not have been his first, Christine will forever cherish having been Steve’s last love.
Steve grew up in Bradford, NY and graduated from Corning Community College before going to the State University of Brockport. He graduated with a degree in science and later went on to work at the EPA where he learned every word of the code of federal regulations (CFR) handbook. He always said the 18-year-old version of himself would kick his butt for being such a dork, but that experience led to decades of helping clients and communities navigate their environmental challenges.
Steve’s career took him on many journeys, including as an adjunct professor at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he discovered many brilliant students who went on to become talented environmental professionals. Teaching was one of Steve’s greatest gifts, and he had immense pride for his RIT students, mentees, and the students he taught through the City of Rochester’s Environmental Job (REJob) Training Program.
In the later stages of his career, he became a very successful grant writer. This was one of his greatest professional accomplishments. He loved the opportunity to help revitalize communities and bring hope to towns, villages, and counties. It was more than work for Steve. His sincere investment in the success of his clients also created lifelong friendships.
Those who knew Steve know how much he loved music. Playing his many guitars was one of his favorite pastimes. He played for hours on end to perfect his craft and as a peaceful meditative practice. There was nothing he loved more than playing music with his children and friends. He professed that music saved his life more than once, which was easy to see in the way he came alive both on stage and in the living room.
Steve was deeply spiritual, and religion always a cornerstone in his life from his childhood to his final days. He loved the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine where he and Christine went to Sunday mass as often as they could when visiting his favorite town. With his rosary in his hands, he passed away peacefully surrounded by prayer and eternal love.
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Until we meet again.
Calling Hours Friday February 14, 2025 4-7PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt Location) 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport. Funeral Mass Saturday February 15, 2025 11AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church 26 Mendon Ionia Rd, Mendon.
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