Stephen J. Paradise

Stephen J. Paradise, 82, of East Orleans, Massachusetts, passed away on August 25, 2015, at the Pleasant Bay Rehabilitation Center. The cause of death was pneumonia resulting from a long and courageous battle against cancer and Parkinson's.

Mr. Paradise was born in New York City on April 22, 1933. His parents were Joseph and Lillian Liss Paradise of Rye, New York. After graduating from Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania, in 1951, he earned a B.A. in political science from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1955, and an LL.B. from New York University Law School in 1958.

Mr. Paradise began his career in 1959 as assistant counsel for the Securities and Exchange Commission. He was there until 1965 and was involved in its special study of the securities markets.

Mr. Paradise left the S.E.C. to become associate counsel to the U. S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. From 1967 to 1977, he was counsel to the U. S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. From 1977 to 1980, he was staff director and general counsel of the U. S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. While there, he was instrumental in the passage of legislation involving the welfare of migrant workers and the disabled and the creation of the federal urban transit program. Mr. Paradise joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1980 as vice president, Congressional liaison. He was appointed senior vice president, Congressional and regulatory relations, in 1988.

Upon retiring from the NYSE in 1996, he moved his home from Alexandria, Virginia, to East Orleans, Massachusetts. Mr. Paradise was a former member of the Orleans Yacht Club, the Men's Club, the Orleans Conservation Commission, and the Orleans Democratic Committee. During his lifetime, he traveled throughout the United States and to nearly 100 countries. He enjoyed the theater and Frank Sinatra, played a mean game of tennis, and treasured a good afternoon of bridge with his friends.

Mr. Paradise is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bobbie C. Paradise, his son David and his wife, Rachel Graham, of Alexandria, Virginia, his son John, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his daughter, Susan, of Santa Cruz, California, his wonderful grandchildren Kyra, Dylan, Julia, and Jackson, and his sister Judith Moskowitz of New York City. He is predeceased by his sister Gail Paradise Kelly of Buffalo, New York. Burial will be private.

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com