Steve,
It’s funny how you lose touch with a friend you literally hang out with everyday. I remember our time in San Clemente as fellow gemologists,. Will never forget your Halloween costume that year in ‘80-‘81 No one knew who you were, until you revealed yourself, so dedicated to anything you did. 
Later we became roommates, business partners and rivals in the tennis courts. Those tennis matches were the most intense games I have ever played. You would never give up, it was exhausting only because I was the same, and fought like a rabid dog.
After a few years we went out different ways, you started your own business and married Marti. 
I did the same and even though we didn’t see each other everyday we kept in touch somewhat, after a few years we would maybe contact each other once a year if we were lucky. 
Then you were gone, didn’t find out until last year, through a mutual friend hadn’t talked too in years. 
Thought about you today, and for some reason I typed in your name, and this page popped out. 
So here I am my friend. We had some great times together when we were younger, wish I could have said goodbye, but maybe I’ll see you on the other side.

George

I was just looking up Steve's information to call him about my sister-in-law needing a stone and ring and came across this.  I am so saddened to read this about Steve-he was such a kind and genuine person.

I decided to buy an engagement ring for my wife on eBay and once received brought it to Steve to have it appraised for insurance.   I can still remember to this day him taking a look at the diamond and then asking me how long I was planning on staying married to my wife.  I told him forever and he replied "this is the type of stone you give a wife you're planning on divorcing in a few years".  Obviously I had made a mistake in my purchase and Steve guided me through the process of buying the right diamonds and ring and even coordinating getting it all set.   I had a major time crunch since I was planning on asking my wife to marry me up in San Francisco and literally picked up the ring a few hours before my flight.

Lest to say I am now happily married 11 years later and Steve played a role in a successful proposal.  We have gone back to Steve a few times throughout the years and he was always so kind with a great sense of humor and wit.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.  He was a truly special man.

Sincerely,

Ed Pletner

Very saddened to learn about Steve's passing.  Steve was very kind, and went out of his way to provide me with assistance.  He was very sincere and caring.  My condolences to his wife and family.

My husband and I have just learned of Steves passing. Steve was the sweetest, most knowledgeable, most ethical, and patient individual my husband and I have had the privileged of known. 
After thirty-five years of marriage my husband decided he was going purchase a solitaire diamond ring for me. I had met Steve, perhaps four years earlier. I knew that we would go back to Steve to purchase my ring.
We want to express our sympathy to Mrs. Marti Policastro and her family. It was an honor having spent a little time with Steve.  I know that Steve will be missed by many, many, individuals and their families.
God Bless 


Our mentor, adviser, business partner, and friend.  As I read others' I realize that undoubtedly each of us enjoyed the special blessings he brought to our lives and for each we felt like we were the privileged ONE!  To say there is a void in our lives is such an understatement.  Clients who knew him are still dealing with the sense of loss and they did not have the constant close contact.  Integrity, patience, fairness, sense of humor and oh so knowledgeable.....we were all blessed by a very rare  association, especially in the jewelry industry!  Steve's handsome picture sits beside our computer to assure each day's awareness of our daily thoughts of appreciation for him that remain uppermost in our hearts!!  Thereafter, we learned that he and Marti truly share one beautiful heart.  We go forward with our prayers for the family and our Love and special prayers for Marti,

I met Steve in the early 80's, having him appraise a diamond that I owned. I was in between jobs and Steve helped me out financially. We kind of clicked and ended up being roommates in a few homes in Mira Mesa, along with his white cat Casper. I shortly gained employment and was able to purchase a home of my own after rooming a few years with Steve. He was ready to move to Chula Vista, if I remember correctly. It was strange in the evening as I was about to retire, he was suiting up to go play hockey. We lost touch after we went our separate ways. I was saddened to read about his passing. He was a fine person.

Steve and I were associate gemologists, since Steve purchased his Laboratory from Michael Barnhart 20+ or so years ago. Steve and I would meet in Tucson for the AGTA Gem Show and NAJA for the last 12-15 years, we would stay at a condo in Oro Valley. Steve always was more than generous, a very friendly companion for the brief one week each year or every other year we would meet.
I will miss our meetings and his inquisitive nature, I will love you forever and look forward to our next meeting... your friend always, Douglas E. Petok (Roseville, California)   


Steve has been our friend and associate for more than 20 years. He was patient and knowledgeable. When we bought or sold to him, he always made us feel important and safe. We will miss his good humor and caring spirit. Our hearts go out to Marti  who must bear this terrible loss.

Steve was a mentor and friend to me. Most of what I learned about the coin and jewelry business I learned from him. He was so respected at the building where he worked that whenever another jeweler had a question about a stone or another piece of jewelry they came to Steve first for the answer. He was an older brother and friend to many at the Jeweler's Exchange. He was the one people turned to for advice and guidance in the face of an uncertainty.

He was a kind man he made time for others. The week before his death as I was entering his office a young woman walked in to ask him if a ring she had bought was silver he scratched the piece on his work testing stone and said apologetically "no". She told him that she was sorry to have bothered him again, but Steve reassured her that she could come again  if she needed help. Tragically it was the last day he would be at his office.

He bought items like small silver chains and gold-filled rings not because they were worth money. They were worth hardly anything at all. He bought them because the person sitting across from him needed money badly, and that was all they had to sell. And if Steve didn't buy them, they had no-one else to go to.

I knew him for seven years, I knew him well for five years, he loaned money to other jewelers that needed it, sometimes on nothing more than a promise. He worked harder than any man should have to. I would see him sometimes Sunday afternoons at his office he was there with Marti catching up on work and spending time with her. 

A few months before he died he told me he was going to get a smaller office, then he would retire in a couple of years, he had a smile on his face, he was looking forward to retirement. 

Then he passed away. It was so sudden. 

I never got to say goodbye. I never got to say thank you for everything that you did for me, and for everyone else. It wasn't fair, and it wasn't right. This wasn't just, it wasn't your time to go. 

You had your whole life worked out, you had plans, and you had almost completed them. I respected and admired you. I think You knew that, you knew how to size 
a person up quickly and accurately. You left a hole in so many and it can't be replaced. 

I went to your funeral yesterday, it was standing room only. There were at least a hundred people seated, and another 30 or more standing. We saw each other hundreds of times over the years but it was only our third appointment together. I wish neither of us had had to be there. I met your brother Rick, he was a great guy, like you, I wasn't surprised. 

Goodbye Steve, we had some adventures together, you got off the rollercoaster ride too soon for my tastes,but when it comes to a stop for me and it's my turn to get off, I hope I see you at the exit waiting for me. Until then you will be very missed.

From Andy, who doesn't make appointments.
To Steve who always kept his.

steve you will be missed aplenty. we were saddened by your pass and you will be in our prayers forever. 
to Steve's wife and family our deepest condolences. from Fred and sue at Fred's lunch bag deli

Steve was a loyal member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers since 1998.  He attended many NAJA education conferences.  He was always the quiet one - not adding to the noise but to the body of knowledge.  He had an engaging personality and a shy smile. He will be missed at our California conferences and GIA events.

My sympathies to his family, colleagues and clients.  


Steve was one of the two best people I have ever known who passed already.  I feel that he was plucked away and  I can feel the finality of the situation.  It stings.  He was a rock star to a lot of us who did business with him.  His niceness to everyone and his honesty were unsurpassed.  Above all he was forthright and he set good example for us all.  Marty...I hope that you can derive inspiration from knowing that he was admired and a roll model for many of us who did business with him.  From 5 people I spoke with today we hope that the family can find sollis and peace in each other to make it less painful.  Joan, Roy Francesca Joe and Mike et all.

Be Still

Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.

Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.

If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.

By Lamaretta Simmons

To Steves' wife and family- I am so sorry for your loss, you will be forever in our prayers.

I personally did not know Steve, but through Marlene and the beautiful jewelry he made for me, I feel like I knew him......his jewelry made so many people happy and he will be remembered for that......my condolences to is family......

Steve and Anne Annicharico

Steve was an honest man, a good man. He worked hard to take care of his family, he was a fantastic gemologist, in fact the best I ever met. People trusted and respected him and he never let anyone down. He was a private man, but he loved his family and he spoke of them with admiration and pride. He liked football and usually left a little early on Mondays to catch the game. He appreciated a good joke and had a nice laugh and a twinkle in his eyes when you told him a good story. Steve always told you what he thought, good or bad you knew where you stood with him. He was a man of his word, he walked the walk and talked the talk.He liked Mountain Dew. He loved the ocean. He was a complex man with simple tastes and a love of life. He worked hard for his family and was always looking out for them. He had the hands of a surgeon, the eyes of a marksman, and the heart of a hero. He was a husband, a father, a brother, a grandfather, a teacher, and a friend. He will be missed, he will never be forgotten.

Till we meet again Steve,
Andy

To Steve's dear wife, family, and friends,

Steve and I knew each other for a long time. He was and always will be remembered as a extremely intelligent, talented, humorous, witty, honest, hard-working, creative, and kind man. He was brave, generous with his time and knowledge, and always helping anyone that needed him. 
Those of us who were blessed to have known him will always be grateful for being so lucky to have had him in our lives.
Steve always talked about how much he loved his wife and family. He was so proud of them and I know he will brag about them in Heaven, too.
Steve had a perfect GIA rating. He was and always will be flawless...and deeply missed. 

Until we meet again, Steve.... thank you for everything. God bless you.

OBITUARY

Stephen Policastro

February 13, 1955 – October 12, 2017

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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