Steven A. Psaila (Coach Steve)
Fairport, NY
With profound sadness, we announce the death of Steven Ashmore Psaila, who passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 20th, 2025. Born in Rochester, NY on April 11, 1959, Steve was a devoted husband, loving father, caring son, loyal brother, and passionate coach, Steve’s bright spirit touched countless lives.
Steve is predeceased by his mother, Marcella Psaila. Steve is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Marisa; his adored children, Summer and Griffin (Holly DeVito); his father, Bart Psaila (Cathy Walzer); and his sisters, Barbara Psaila and Susan Psaila (Jim Haller), and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, student-athletes, and friends.
Steve lived a life defined by devotion, integrity, and a deep love for his family. His positive energy and sense of humor were contagious. As a husband to Marisa for 35 years, and a father to Summer and Griffin, his commitment was unwavering. He cherished every moment with them, whether playing tennis, vacationing in Hilton Head, sharing laughter, or offering advice. In his professional life, Steve took pride in his role as a sales executive, most recently as a Regional Sales Manager for Meeco Sullivan. As a 30-year member of the Porsche Club, Steve loved taking his family on Sunday drives, creating memories that will be cherished forever. His passion for cars and racing, especially Porsches, Ferraris, and Formula One, were matched only by his love for tennis, which he shared with his children and players. Steve lived life to the fullest, embracing each moment with an incredible attitude and zest for life that inspired those around him. His greatest pride was the family he built. The love they shared will continue to guide them.
Steve was also a lifelong tennis player, member of the Tennis Club of Rochester, and the proud Assistant Tennis Coach at St. John Fisher University. He transformed the lives of countless young athletes with his expertise and heartfelt mentorship. Steve was named St. John Fisher’s coach of the year in 2023. His players honored him with these kind words:
“This coach is honestly the best coach you will ever meet. He always has a positive attitude and gives the best pep talks, but will give you some tough love when he knows you need it. He helps his players become better athletes and even better people. This coach is looked up to by his players both on and off the court”
Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, March 26th from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY 14450. Please join us in celebrating Steve’s life by wearing your favorite bright colored attire. A service honoring the life of Steve Psaila will be held on Thursday, March 27th at 10:00 am at White Haven Memorial Park All Seasons Chapel, 210 Marsh Road, Pittsford, NY 14534. Private interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Steven A. Psaila Memorial Fund at https://gofund.me/9e724efc.
While our hearts are heavy with loss, we find comfort in knowing that Steve’s legacy lives on in all the lives he touched with his wisdom, kindness, and irrepressible joy. As he often said, “Man is master of his fate because he is master of his attitude.”
20 responses to “Psaila, Steven A.”
Dear Marisa, Summer, Griffin, Mr.Psaila, Barb, Sue and all the extended Psaila family,
The entire Nealon family extends our most heartfelt and profound sadness to have learned of Steve’s unexpected passing. Please know we (along with the Rochester tennis community) all share in your grief.
Steve touched the lives of everyone he met, and his infectious positive attitude will be remembered by all who were lucky to have known him.
Personally for me, I had the honor of being Steve’s high school teammate at Bishop Kearney for two years, and his leadership and friendship was a beacon of light for a team who loved the sport of tennis.
My brothers John and Jim remember Steve with great affection as well and were equally saddened when I shared the news (as of course, was my mom). John reminded me he and Steve played doubles together in the the high school sectionals, when Steve was a senior and John a freshman.
Years later, it was a joy to see Steve (and Mr Psaila) regularly at TCR. The image I have of Steve, often hitting with Billy Olsan, is a memory I will always cherish. One of my great honors was getting to know my high school teammates kids, Grif and Summer, in our junior program.
In the past few years, I have been fortunate to have seen Steve before he went on court with St. John Fisher teams. I will forever remember our latest conversation, which took place only last week. The gleam in his eye, the smile on his face, talking about life, asking about each other’s families, will be what I will focus on.
For now though, the entire Nealon family deeply mourns the passing of this beloved man.
Well Steven its your old uncle John. I remember how thrilled I was to be the MC at your wedding & how much fun we had at that great event. Naturally, i wish we were not divided geographically so we could have spent more time together in your adulthood. What an amazingly beautiful man you turned out to be. Love you sonnyboy and not to be morbid but uplifting – your dad & I will see you soon.
The Thyroff family were touched by the kindness and humor of Steve for 40 plus years. We send our prayers to the Psaila family and all those affected by the loss of this great man.
His impact on the lives he touched will carry on in this community and beyond for countless years to come.
To the entire Psaila family,
The Mittleman’s send their sincerest condolences to your entire family on the sudden loss of Steve. I had the privilege of meeting and getting to know Steve when I was quite young at Midtown. I always remember Steve for being positive, kind, energetic and always making me and many others laugh.
Although life took me away from Rochester for many years pursuing my passion as a professional coach, I always have reflected back to my time growing up at Midtown and TCR and Steve has always been in my memory.
Steve was simply a great guy. I wish the entire Psaila family all my best as you find strength moving forward with all of the amazing life long memories that you built together.
Sandy Mittleman
My heartfelt condolences to the Psaila family. I have the fondest memories of the summers of 1974 and 75 on the Bishop Kearney HS tennis courts having Steve teach me to play the game I have loved ever since. What a great time we had then, and how special it was to reconnect years later at TCR. Running into Steve always put a smile on my face, and I consider myself lucky to have known him. He will be greatly missed.
Steve always a pleasure to see the big smile on your face when your family was enjoying watching you play tennis it was honor to know how much you enjoyed life.
Dear Psaila family,
Steve’s kindness and compassion for others can not be expressed in any words. He was such a beloved person and such an influence for many. He always had a smile on his face, even in the toughest times, and it was the most infectious thing on this planet as he didn’t just create a smile on his face, but on everyone around him wherever he went. He would always create such a great atmosphere for everyone with his one of a kind personality. Me and my family have known him for 5 years and it has felt like a life time. The memories that he, and the Psaila family, have made for all of us were some of the most unforgettable, most enjoyable, and most lovely memories that will never be forgotten. I always remember when I would come to see my brother coach and play for Saint John Fisher Tennis, and Steve would always come and support him while also making me, and my parents, always laugh and have a great experience. Although I never played on the team, it always felt like I did and like he were my coach and best friend at the same time. God will be receiving one of, if not already, the greatest angel he could ever find. Steve will be deeply missed and to the friends and family of Steve Psaila, please accept my deepest condolences, and may he rest in peace.
To Marisa, Griffin, Summer, and the extended Psaila Family,
As a young 17 year old senior in high-school, accepted to St John Fisher, I would come to watch practices and matches not knowing what to expect and what the future may hold. That was until a man named Steve Psaila came over with a firm salesman like handshake saying Fisher has no “pre Madonna’s” and only accepts good kids, little did I know he would become like my second father in the next few years. Anyone who was lucky enough to be coached or be around Steve would say nothing else than he was a parent like figure for everyone. Yes, Steve was a coach at Fisher, but he taught me things about life, careers, sales, and as he would give what he called “pearls of wisdom” constantly which I will be forever grateful for and will keep with me for the rest of my life. He cared for me and my family like not many other Coaches in my life did. Steve had an answer for anything and everything, and besides that was beyond full of life and pure happiness. I looked up to him as a role model and still do, it’s very rare to find people such as Steve. I know many love him and will miss him dearly as this will take a very long time to process, but he will never be forgotten. He truly was a beloved person and made the last 5 years of my life truly unforgettable. To Steve, I love you, I miss you and hope to see you again in another life, and have one more kahlua colada together.
Marisa and family.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I am keeping all of you in my prayers.
Jeanie Bayer
My sincerest condolences to Steve’s family and very sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of meeting Steve a few years ago and we played many times in weekend morning games @ TCR. His serve was often a riddle to figure out how to return, his hands at the net were phenomenal with his volleying, and most importantly, playing with him was always 100% fun. His on-court enthusiasm was contagious. Whether he was my partner or across the net it was a pleasure to be on the courts together. Also, his ever-present enthusiasm for life shined brightly in our pre and post game conversations. Whether it was tennis, coaching, business, travel, golf, or his deep passion for his family, Steve’s positive nature was infectious. We will greatly miss him.
🙏
Dear Marisa, I’m so very sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest condolences to you and Summer and Griffin. ❤️
Dear Marisa and Family,
I am so sorry to read of Steven’s passing and I’m praying that you find peace throughout all of this.
Thinking of you in this time of sorrow.
Gary Gasper
Dear Marisa, Griffin, Summer, Barbara, Susan, Bart & extended Family,
We are so sorry for your loss and we extend our deepest condolences to you.
Steve and I were good friends and we hit regularly for years @ TCR. We loved to practice and engaged in conversations on & off the court.
Steve always had a smile, was even keel, affable, entertaining, supportive and caring to many. He was devoted to his family, excelled as a salesman, enjoyed playing tennis & coaching and loved his cars.
Steve lived an enriched life and we’ll have our fond memories forever.
Summer, I am so sorry for this unexpected and tragic loss. I cannot imagine how you are feeling. I didn’t know your father but after reading about his life, he sounds like he impacted thousands of lives through his love of tennis. It sounds like you have your dad’s personality with your positive attitude and always having a smile on your face. Sending you love and prayers and strength to get through these difficult times ahead.
Dear Marisa and all the Psaila family,
I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. May your many loving memories with Steve bring you comfort.
With heartfelt condolences,
To all of the Psailas,
I have fond memories of time with Steve at Winton Rd tennis, Kearney tennis and lots of fun family parties with Steve entertaining us, but mostly I think of Steve on the BK Band bus as we drove to and from football games – Steve with his trumpet, leading the songs and laughs – making sure we were obnoxiously loud. And I remember Steve heading up the dishwashing team in the Kearney cafeteria during one of our band fundraiser dinners. Prior to Steve’s participation nobody wanted that assignment but after Steve took over everyone wanted a coveted spot on the dishwashing team because that group was clearly going to have the most fun!
My prayers go out to Uncle Bart and all of the Psailas. May the angels lead Steve into paradise and may he have eternal rest.
With love, Karen Finnegan
Jo Anne and I are greatly saddened to hear of Steve’s passing . We express our deepest sympathy to Marisa and her family. The positive influence that he had on the lives of so many people of all ages is a lasting tribute to his extraordinary talent and character.
He will be remembered with great admiration and respect.
To the Psaila Family,
The Farlow family was heartbroken to hear about Steve’s sudden passing. I will always remember Steve’s wonderful smile that would light up even the darkest of days, and his playful sense of humor that could turn any ordinary moment into a cherished memory. Steve had a gift for making everyone feel warm and included, wrapping them in a sense of belonging with just a few kind words or a shared laugh. The laughter and joy Steve brought will never be forgotten.
With heartfelt condolences,
Allyson Farlow Borgstedte
Dear Psaila Family,
We are so sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Steve was always the one to lift up my spirits when I wasn’t doing so well. He would always act so impressed with my slice drop shots, and it would make my day. I’ll never forget the special grocery run right before the store closed in Hilton Head and the time he talked his way into using the private road to get us to the Salty Dog cafe. I am so grateful for the privilege to have him as my coach at Fisher and one of my biggest cheerleaders.
Jacqueline Chouinard and Family
Please accept my condolences on the loss of Coach Steve. As a parent of an out of state tennis player he made us feel confident that our daughter was in good hands. It sounds like he truly made a difference in the lives of so many. What a magnificent legacy that is. May the memories bring you joy and peace in the coming days.