I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Commissioner Sefton. I had the pleasure of working with him for many years. I admired his positive attitude, generous spirit and compassion. I fortunately spoke with him a few days prior to his death and will always remember his contagious soft smile and gentle demeanor.

In his service as judge to the SLO Juvenile Drug Court, Steve listened and provided support and guidance to many youth. He was an authority figure that they could count on to be fair and caring. He worked hard to make a difference.

A great friend in high school.  I was looking forward to visiting him again soon. My condolences to his family.

Fellow classmate at Whittier High class of 66. So sorry. Prayers for the family!

As a volunteer mediator for Creative Mediation, I spent many hours in Small Claims Court under the direction of Commissioner Sefton. He was businesslike and judicial, but he sprinkled it with compassion. In court it was obvious he was a great supporter of mediation as an alternative way to settle a dispute. As a team, with the commissioner at the head, many people avoided the trauma of a court trial.

A loss like no other...my heart wraps around your grief, Barbara. While I did not know your husband, he must have been a special person to be loved by you. May he rest in peace. I am so sorry...

    I stopped appearing regularly in the Informal Juvenile and Traffic Court soon after Commissioner Sefton's appointment. There was simply no need for it. Youth and families were being treated fairly and respectfully. Their rights were scrupulously protected. The outcomes were fair and individually tailored. What did they need a lawyer for?

     Commissioner Sefton's stewardship of the Juvenile Drug Court blended accountability with encouragement. An unknown number of lives were saved or vastly improved. He recognized that the disease of addiction could be sent into remission, once the sufferer chose to do so. Sadly, the same could not be said of the insidious disease that took him from us. Perhaps current and future Drug Court clients will honor his memory by making a life-saving choice that he could not.

Dear Sefton family:  I had the privilege of working for Steve and Michael Post way back when they were across from the little tiny courtroom.  I saw him as Traffic Commissioner years later at the SLO Vets Hall.  He was SO happy and compassionate at that point...and how I will always remember him fondly!  God bless your family.  I am thankful for the time I had in working and knowing him. He was patient and taught me a lot.  Feeling thankful!  XO

To the Sefton Family
I was so saddened to hear of Commissioner Sefton passing away, and even more saddened to be out of state at the time of his service and unable to pay my regards and show my support for his incredible impacts on so many lives. Commissioner Sefton loved the Drug Court Programs, both the dependency and delinquency aspects.  He embraced supporting change in people and redirecting their lives, and he relished the opportunity to see the changes people made with the Court support.  I enjoyed his sense of humour and his easygoing nature, and his ability to make everyone around him feel comfortable. Not an easy task for a judicial official.  I will truly miss Steve, and the life altering impact he had on many around him.  My prayers to all of his family.

Such a kind man. Helped me with my business dealings many times. Very sorry for your loss.

Dear Mrs. Sefton and family, We are so sorry to hear of Commisioner Sefton's passing. We have been in his courtroom many times for various reasons and he was always fair, a gentleman, and handle all situations with grace and class. The public will surely miss him. Sincerely James Barnum

To the many family members of Steve, all who knew him were Blessed, in a myriad of ways. His first wife, Anne was our son's teacher, Steve did some legal work with/ for my father, and Steve & I had a friendly acquaintance for many years. Barb, don't know if you'd remember our meeting, it began with Steve's gently teasing, asking if he hadn't seen me pulled over by Paso P.D. on Spring street. In actuality, my conversation with the officer was in regard to a vehicle that ran a red light, smashing my wife's car. Always good memories of Steve, Praying you're all comforted & BLESSED in this time. And Godspeed to your eternal reward Brother Steve.

Our prayers and thoughts are with you always.  No one can EVER take away memories, they'll always be with you in your heart, which will keep him alive forever.
Our love and blessings are with you.
Cathie & George Beseher

Dear Steve  you are still very much alive in my memory and in my heart. You were always such an advocate for families plagued with substance abuse problems, and you supported their recovery through your wise counsel in the Family Treatment Court.  I also have fond memories of our meeting with Congresswoman Capps and our celebratory dinner afterward.  I cherish our spirited conversations over post-conference meals in Washington DC and Los Angeles as well as right here in SLO.  You were a good friend, and I will miss your big, bright smile.  My supportive thoughts and prayers go out to your family, and I wish you Godspeed on your ongoing journey.

Steve you will be truly missed - always a pleasure to talk to when you visited our shop -always concerned with my health issues and willing to work around our busy schedule - you did brighten my days when you stopped in

Stephen's legacy includes some vital help in expanding the Food Bank of San Luis Obispo. He was the voice of reason in our organizations "growth pain'.  Many happy memories and images of smiles and laughter. He is now with his beloved Anna and will be sorely missed by the angle sent later in his life, Barbara. My we rejoice in his contributions to mankind and mourn together at his passing. Our soul is immortal and ongoing...Godspeed as we consul each other.

My condolences to Commissioner Seftons family. The Commissioner  was such a kind and caring person. I had the privilege of knowing him through Family Treatment Court . I opened up a home for women and children (Bryans House)who participate in Family Treatment Court and the Commissioner was very supportive of the house.  He even came out to the house and had lunch with the families. Every time I would come to court for a graduation he always welcomed me with a smile. He had a way of making each person feel special. The  women at Bryans House send our prayers to the family. He will truly be missed . So a big thank you Commissioner, from all the families you have helped, your acceptance and encouragement helped many families to be able to reunite. Many children are living with their parents today and you sir were a huge part of the process. We will surely miss you and hopefully someday will see you again as we trudge the road to happy destiny . May God bless your family as the healing begins.

Barbara, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am grateful to have known Steve.

It was my pleasure to work along side Commission Sefton for many years in Juvenile Drug Court. I saw a man who truly cared about the young people who came in front of him and would do anything he could to see them turn their lives around. I am sad for your families loss. 
  Dennis Ruscki

It was a pleasure to work and know Commissioner Sefton. My sincerest condolences to his family. May God bless him and all his family and friends during this difficult time.

Thank you, and bon voyage, Steve my brother. Thank you for the music, the friendship, the laughter, and for always being the consumate gentleman. I look forward to that day when we sing in the choir together again.

To Barbara and the entire Sefton family, I extend my condolences.  Steve was a friend and colleague of many years.  I will miss him.

In his professional life, he generously offered his services as a temporary bench officer before his appointment to the Municipal Court.  His office adjacent to the Paso Robles Court, made him the first call when help was needed.  His willingness to drop everything and assist was always appreciated.

After Steve's appointment, he quickly and competently assumed his court  duties and served with distinction in both the Municipal and Superior Court.  Steve was scrupulously fair and courteous even under trying circumstances.  He accepted any assignment with grace and dignity.

The court has lost a great asset and I have lost a good friend.

Rest in peace.

Sidney B. Findley   (San Luis Obispo, CA)

Blessed our The Court and The Community to have had such a Caring Human Being as a Judicial Officer.  He will be Greatly Missed by ALL.  Sending Prays to Family and Friends during this difficult time.

Barbara & family
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of loss. I will always remember what a fine gentleman he was and a pleasure to work for.
Mary Ann Gettmann Austin

To my dearest Barb, and family,
We are devastated to hear such sad news at the loss of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather . May the memories of his love, kindness, 
Compassion he shared with all of you and his community bring comfort to you. Our love and prayers  to you and the family.  
Marie, Michael, Sokolik

San Luis Obispo County lost an irreplaceable member of its community. 

I'll never forget his kindness and caring about every staff member at the court. He never forgot our birthdays, valued our ideas and opinions and gently mentored so many of us.

Working with Commissioner as the Juvenile Department clerk in Grover Beach allowed me to see firsthand how he cared and put great thought into helping every young person that came before him. 

He has left an enormous legacy not only with his family and friends, but also the people he affected through his time on the bench at Superior Court.

My dear friend Commissioner Stephen Sefton. Your Honor, what moves through me is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word of incredible advice, I may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before I was ready to say good-bye, but little by little, I begin to remember not just of your passing, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too great to forget. You will be deeply missed by your most honored clerk of the Court.

Truly an honor knowing Commissioner Sefton.  I have had the opportunity to know and work with him since he was hired by Superior Court.  I feel blessed to have shared many parts of his life outside of work, and he has been a father figure in my life... I will miss him and his smile, and warm words of encouragement. He has always had a very special place in my heart.

Commissioner Steve Sefton was a truly wonderful man and a joy to be around.  It was always a pleasure for me to appear in his court and an honor when appointed by him as a conflict defender.  I will miss him very much.  My condolences to the family.

I will truly miss you Commissioner! I know your in the arms of our Lord and at peace! May our God bring comfort to your family during this very sad time.

I was Steve's longest serving Pro Tem Judge, substituting for him when he would be on vacation or  was ill. I appeared often in his traffic court as a lawyer representing people with traffic tickets.  Steve was a man who wanted to be fair as a judge, and was thoughtful about making sure he was getting it right. All of us who were regulars In his court respected him, cared about him, and he treated us with fairness and kindness. Steve was truly the face of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, in that He was the bench officer that most folks in our county would see on traffic matters and small claims cases. He took that very seriously, and was a credit to his profession as a judge. I will miss him terribly.

My heart goes out to the entire family. May you all experience love and joy when you think of Stephen.

It was such an honor working with Commish. I loved every traffic day and raised my hand when he would ask the audience Raise your hand if you really want to be here. He would always smile. I will miss him very much. My deepest condolences to his family.

My sincerest condolences to your family. Commissioner Sefton was such an amazing man and such a fun guy to work with during my time at the court. He will be missed dearly!

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

A kind and devoted soul.   It was a privlage to know and work with him.   I will miss him deeply.

The best loyal friend a person could ever have. I was blessed to have known him.

You will be missed. It was a great pleasure to have worked with you in the past.

My deepest condolences to his family. I had the privilege of working every week with him for over two years in his Family Drug Court and attending a couple of conferences with him. Commissioner Sefton was a gregarious man who cared deeply about the professionals he worked with, the clients in his courts, and he was always very proud of his family. He will be missed.

It was a privilege and an honor to know this gentle soul.  All I can say is that I am a better person because I knew him.  God Bless you my friend.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Stephen Briggs Sefton

30 septembre 1948 – 9 janvier 2016

Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home

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