Steve "Pappy" T. Pantano

Stephen “Steve” Pantano, Sr died on November 03, 2021 at the age of 89, in his home in Titusville, Florida. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Steve came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.

Steve had an extraordinary life. He was born to Rosario and Maria Pantano in 1932 and spent his childhood in New York, which is where he joined the Army and was stationed in Japan. Upon his release, he moved to Edgewater Florida to assist in the family ran restaurant, Pantano’s Spaghetti House. A few years later, Steve was offered a job at the new Kennedy Space Center as a photographer where he not only met the original 7 astronauts but got to spend time with them. He later changed roles at NASA becoming a Documentation Specialist for the Apollo program.

Steve had many hobbies and passions in his life. He was a volunteer for the Kape Kanaveral Klown Klub (his name was Funny Face), he started the Kennedy Area Recreation Services (KARS) softball league, he authored a book (The Sun Never Shines), he loved playing handball, traveling, spending time with close friends, volunteering at the Children’s Center, and telling many, many jokes. But his biggest passion in his life was his family.

Steve met the love of his life, Anita, while working for NASA at Kennedy Space Center. After dating for 2 years, they wed in 1974, resulting in an amazing 48-year marriage.

He also left behind his 3 children Patricia (and Kevin) Lautenschlager, Pam (and Richard) Williams, and Steve (and Mary) Pantano, as well as 3 grandchildren (Jaime Stanifer, Ryan Williams, and Stephanie Lautenschlager) and 7 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Vita.

Steve celebrated his family every chance he could and everything was by acts of love: Holding annual massive easter egg hunts, creating monthly calendars, ensuring homemade stockings were made for Christmas, and having barbeques in the Pleasure Patio outside his log home.

Private services were held at the request of the family. Arrangements were provided by the Brevard Memorial Funeral Home and Park.