Thomaston - Mr. Chalmus (Steve) Stephens, 88, of Thomaston, passed away on Saturday March 18, 2017 at Rose Haven in Litchfield due to complications following hip surgery. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy (Ruggie) Stephens. Steve and Dorothy recently celebrated 61 years of wonderful marriage.

Steve was born in Granite, Oklahoma, the son of the late Julia (Cartwright) and Egbert Stephens. He was raised in Wolfe City, Texas and enlisted into the US Army after high school. He fought in the Korean Conflict, and received a battlefield officer’s commission as a forward observer for an artillery unit supporting the 65th Infantry Regiment, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star.

After being reassigned to West Germany, he met his future wife who was a civilian working for the US Army. After military service, they resettled in Dorothy’s hometown of Thomaston. Steve served for many years in management for the Bradlees department stores, and retired after opening numerous new Bradlees stores from Connecticut to Virginia. Never to be idle, Steve was then elected to serve as the Town Treasurer for the Town of Thomaston.

Always interested in contributing to the community, Steve also served on the Thomaston Public Library Board, and became the first non-Italian President of the Thomaston Italian-American Club, which was co-founded decades earlier by his father-in-law Ernest Ruggie. Until only recently, Steve continued to mow grass, fix things, paint houses and tend to his vegetable gardens. He also enjoyed making homemade marinara sauce, which many family and friends have savored over the years.

Besides his wife Dorothy, he leaves a son, Dean Stephens and his wife Jennifer of San Francisco; a son-in-law, Craig Duncan, of Calhoun, Tennesee; four grandchildren, Michael Duncan and his wife, Lisa; Amanda Duncan; Maria Stephens; and Gabriel Stephens. Steve was predeceased by his daughter Cassie, whom he loved very, very much. He was also predeceased by his infant grandson Vinnie, and by his four older brothers and sister (James, Ophir Lee, Lacy, Glenn, and Francis).

Calling hours will be from 10am to Noon Saturday March 25, 2017 at the Lyons Funeral Home, 46 High Street, Thomaston. A lunch reception and tribute will follow at the nearby Black Rock Tavern & Restaurant on Main Street. A private burial service will occur later in the year.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Thomaston Public Library, 248 Main Street, Thomaston.

We love you Grandpa! We will miss your wit, your smile, and your marinara sauce.

 Service Information