Steve was born in Long Beach, California to his mother Margaret and his father Joe. A couple of months later, his family moved to Midway City. His sisters and brother, Therese, Carol, and Billy came along shortly after that move. Steve attended Star View Elementary School and then, in November 1972, attended the highly reputable McPherson Middle School in Orange, after the family moved to their new home in Santa Ana. Steve had a paper route and delivered the Santa Ana Register as well as collected the subscription fees. Between dismantling bicycles and putting them back together, he was a busy person. His Uncle Mike gave him a tool chest complete with tools a few years later. Steve also enjoyed riding in his uncle's dune buggy and riding his bike along the trails near his home and down to the beach.

In his teen years, Steve found a job at Orange Hills Restaurant as a waiter. After working there a while he informed the family they should be putting out "condiments" at the dining room table. Steve was diligent about going to work and would bike if he didn't have a ride. A memory from Steve's teen years that highlights his unvarnished honesty is when he and his friend Lance were dating sisters who had started attending Modena High School. Each sister drove a Jaguar to school and when Steve's mother asked, "Steve, is it Jan or the Jag you are attracted to?", he thought a minute and replied, "The Jag."

Steve was always helpful, fought for the underdog, and never complained. He was very intuitive, in spite of his mental illness. In 1977, after graduating from high school, he moved to the Vancouver, Washington area. He loved it there and engaged in a wide variety of jobs; maintenance work at the Vancouver Mall, working on an oyster boat, manufacturing, part-time at a church camp, and with a pool maintenance company. It was in Vancouver that his mental illness manifested. His Aunt Mary and Uncle Ted helped him out many times and eventually Steve returned to Orange County where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Steve resided at Board and Care facilities in Orange County. Smoking Marlboros was a favorite pastime, along with birthday celebrations at the steakhouse, and holidays spent with his family. Steve's latest residence was in a senior living facility and in 2023 he was diagnose with lung cancer. After consulting with many oncologists, and testing, he entered Hospice care.

Even at the end, Steve did not lose his sense of humor, or his love of Carl's Jr's burgers and fries. He kept on his feet until two days before he died. He was still visiting the liquor store to buy cigarettes and running errands for his friends who were not ambulatory. His final request was for a hamburger, French fries, coke, and a "couple of bucks." His final words to his mother were, "Hi Good Looking."

He was neat, generous, respectful, and the epitome of a "good soul." His mother gave him a plaque for his Confirmation that said, "Bloom Where You are Planted." And that he did!

Steve is survived by his mother, Margaret, his sisters, Therese (Cvek-Euge) and Carol (Schoonover), his uncle, James C. O'Gabhann, and his niece and nephews, Susan, Paul, and John. His brother, William, predeceased him. Also deceased are Steve's grandparents, James and Dorothy Smith, and Minna and Jacob Cvek.