Obituary of Edwin Andrew Steck

Loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather died peacefully in his home on February 24, 2024. He was 94 and married 72 years to his lovely wife, Joan. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to Magdalene and Andrew Steck. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Marion Murgolo and Magdalen Stumpf.

During his youth, he worked in the family deli in Brooklyn and later enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951 as an Aviation Storekeeper. He was stationed in Jacksonville, FL and Iceland where he was awarded medals for Good Conduct, Navy Occupation and National Defense Service serving in the Patrol Squadron Sixteen. Upon discharge, he continued his education at Pace University and achieved his Associate Degree in Business Administration.

His career spanned many years in the Commercial Printing industry with him retiring from J. James Shea Sons Inc. as VP Production & Estimating a commercial printing firm at the age of 69. For over 15 years he commuted from his home to Clifton New Jersey everyday so that he didn’t have to move or have his children change schools.

He was a 55-year active parishioner of St. Aidan’s Parish and a member of the Men’s Prayer Group. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post 144 in Williston Park for over 35-years where he was bar chairman and marched in all the holiday parades. Besides his devotion to his family, he found time to serve on the Williston Park Library Board in 1973 for two years and in 2023 stepped down as a board member of the Williston Park Zoning Board of Appeals after 48 years of service.

For fifteen years he and his wife Joan were snowbirds and wintered in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. During the winter months he would play golf, card games and enjoy the company of friends around the pool or sit on the beach to enjoy the sun and surf. 

He was pleasant and outgoing, and his presence infused life and spirit into everything and everyone he encountered. He was a kind and patient man that loved laughter, celebrations, and dancing. Making friends with everyone he met. He loved working with his hands and was an excellent furniture maker and gardener. His home is furnished with many of his creations. Every year his garden yielded tomatoes, raspberries and other fruits and vegetables. Family members would look forward to his raspberry harvest when jam was made and distributed.

He is survived by his loving wife Joan, his four children Edwin J.(Barbara), Colleen Smith (Howard), Andrew (Olga) and Paul (Maria), nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to his viewing on Wednesday, February 28th at Weigand Brothers Funeral Home, 49 Hillside Ave, Williston Park, NY from 2:00PM-4:00PM and 7:00PM-9:00PM. Funeral Mass on Thursday, February 29th at 10:00AM at St Aidan Roman Catholic Church, 505 Willis Ave, Williston Park, NY. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to The Franciscan Bread for the Poor, 144 West 32nd Street, NY, NY 10001. www.stfrancisbreadline.org