John Stepanov

John Stepanov, born in Lockport, NY, May 8, 1945 a boy who grew into a man, a father, a brother, a grandfather, a great-grandfather passed away on May 9, 2026, in Dunedin, FL. He was the son of Jeanne Marie Snodgrass (Stepanov) and Richard Gerbin Stepanov. A man who loved beyond measure. A man who saw the good in those even when they couldn’t see it themselves. A man who taught us what he could when he could. A man who taught us to stand up for what we believed in and never back down from a fight. He taught my brother everything he knows and has expressed that in these words as I put them on paper. My brother is not here in the states to grieve with us all, but feels this loss just as hard as we all do. This man, who has passed, was loved. We each had our own ways of loving him. And we will each feel his loss in so many ways.

He was a truck driver by trade and was on the road so much of our childhood, but the memories of the gifts he would bring home, we were always overjoyed when he returned home from one of his jaunts over the vast, wide-open spaces. We never knew what he would bring. But it was never about the gifts, he was home. He was obstinate to an unfathomable degree. He was a mentor and teacher. He was a biker; damn did he love his bikes. He was a jack of all trades, he was a stump grinder, a sales rep, my Aunt Edna said, he could sell you the Brooklyn Bridge if he wanted to. He was a dreamer; he dreamed big. This world was too small for him. As my brother stated in his letter to me. My fathers opinion of him is the only one that mattered. He, in essence, was much more than we can truly put to paper in this brief synopsis of his life in fast-forward. He will be missed, and his absence will be felt. We, as a collective, loved him, and he did his best. But he tried, against all odds, he tried. And for that, we will always be grateful. He was a lover; he had a lot of passion, and he didn’t slow down for anybody. Not even himself. He was a collector. He was an atheist who spoke about God. How funny is that? If you want to know what a conundrum is, you can look it up in a dictionary and see a picture of him smiling back. He always kept you on your toes. We, his kids, were his world; he told us over and over. But his dreams would get in the way sometimes, and that’s ok. Life passes too fast, and we get lost in it. He would make little gestures and we would know. Life took him too soon, but he is now in a better place, and we know he is at peace. No more pain, no more suffering. As unexpected as this is and disheartening as it may be for all of us. He has left a lasting impression that will be felt for a long time to come. We will miss you, Dad, Johnnie, John. And we will always be thinking of you. You are more than welcome to come and visit. I always have empty chairs at my table as you well know.

John is survived by his siblings, Pamela Moore, her daughters, Margie and Stephanie, to whom he regularly confided. Melanie (Pat) Cirasole to whom he was also close, Jeanne and Richard. His children are Travis (Levi Yitzack) Stepanov, Kerianne Stepanov, Beth (Luis) Delgado, Melanie Bueker, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A Celebration of Life will be held and announced when details have been finalized.