Steven Aldridge Grandi

Steven Aldridge Grandi, aged 74, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on September 16th, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona. He was born on November 9th, 1950, in Santa Monica, California, to Grace and Louis Grandi. 

Steven, or Steve as he was more commonly known, attended the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy in 1972. He then moved to Tucson, where he earned his Ph.D in Astronomy from The University of Arizona in 1975.

He married Felicia (Forgach) on June 10th, 1989 in Tucson, and together they raised three children - Mark, Paul, and Emily. 

Steve, an astronomer by trade who was captivated by the new frontier of computers, combined both his passions and worked as a manager of Computer Infrastructure Services and the Chief Information Officer of NSF-NOIRLab (U.S. National Science Foundation National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory) in Tucson. He retired on March 6th, 2024, after working for NSF-NOIRLab for 42 years.

Steve was a quiet man with great depths. He loved to read - he married a reader, and together they instilled a life-long love of reading to their children. More than that, though, he loved to listen to music - his collection of songs was carefully curated over many years. All of his family members are familiar with his percussive accompaniment to whatever music he was listening to.

He was a dedicated and hard working husband and father, never hesitating to put the needs of his family before his own. He was always taking care of some problem around the house or shepherding his children to one event or another, whether it be scouts or chess or marching band or guitar lessons. His quiet perseverance and dedication was an inspiration to those around him.

He is survived by his wife, Felicia; his children, Mark, Paul (Jenn), and Emily; and his siblings Don (Kathy), Tim (Jennene), and Scott (Donna).

All who knew Steve are invited to a service at Adair Avalon Funeral Home (8090 N Northern Ave, Oro Valley, AZ 85704) from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm on Saturday, October 18th, to reminisce and honor his life. His final resting place will be at Holy Hope Catholic Cemetery.