You're still in our thoughts old friend. Miss you.

Just saw a post on FB as had no idea. So very sorry to hear my friend and especially sorry that we lost touch when we moved overseas. I will always cherish our times together as room mates, class mates, your assistant DJ (though not a good one) in the basement of USF and so many more. You taught me a lot about music and certainly broadened my musical taste. Though you were a die hard Mets fan and I a Yankees fan we never let that get in the way. The world is certainly a quieter duller place without you in it. You will always be remembered in our prayers. Rest in peace my friend. Will never forget you.

Sorry I'm late, but that isn't unusual! 
Hope that you are enjoying it up there and seeing all of the family and friends that were waiting for you. The music still plays down here,  only a little quieter without you spinning.  As always, GBNF Steve.

I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you dude. It's been a year and it's not the same without you around. I miss you old friend.

A full 365 days as gone by. The world has only got darker. Dimmer. Bleaker. More miserable. Intolerable. Insufferable. I just wanted you to know that you are not forgotten. And you will always be celebrated. I heard the song Another Girl Another Planet last night. And even though it instantly reminded me of you. It didn't make me sad. It made me smile. As anything regarding you tends to do. I have several reminders around my room. Last night I was taking shots from the shot glass of the band LIT you gave me. This man had more promo swag and memorabilia from music and sports teams than anyone I've ever encountered that isn't myself. And I adore that about him. People who refuse to be nostalgic or pay attention to the past are missing out on the beauty of life. I'll never forgive myself for not talking you out of working where you did. Those people didn't care about you. Only after you're gone now that they get to change the narrative and pretend like they did everything they could to help you. They were rotten evil miserable awful selfish humans. Steve did not retire from 
Sound Exchange. He collapsed at work in July 2024. And was forced to resign. And he died in January 2025 6 months later.  I hate that his obituary indicates otherwise. Steve always knew me to speak my truth. He always condoned and endorsed my rants and rambles. And he would tell me he read every word of it. I'll never stop being outspoken. As long as I have the ability to write and speak. You will only get the truth from me. Because yes. Facts DO matter. Steve loved his job. He loved his customers. But his job did not love him back. Only after he died did they bother to pay him a visit. I knew how much it would have meant to him to get a visit from them. But they couldn't be bothered. Because they are the worst people on Earth. I hope whereever he is now. There's plenty of cold beer. And good music. Steve Man deserves the world. I just hope he has peace. But no quiet. Loud and proud! 🤘

I worked with Steve at Peaches in Tampa for several years. He was truly one of my favorite people.  He was funny, engaging, and always had a smile and a good word for everyone.  I have and will always refer to him warmly as a friend as well as the best manager that I ever had.  I modeled my management style after him throughout my career. Always treating those that worked for me with gratitude, and genuine concern.  If you knew Steve, you loved Steve. He was just one of those people. I'm grateful for him and his influence in my life. Thank you brother. I will see you on the other side.

How do you say goodbye to someone that you have known for over 50 years?  You don't.  Instead, you say "see you on the other side." You don't say goodbye to the memories,  you hold them dear and keep them safe in your heart. You don't forget the music, (except maybe Donnie and Marie Osmond),  you listen more and explore more.  You never forget them. GBNF Steve. Thanks for tolerating the annoying little sister of one of your best friends. Thanks for the music, the knowledge and for just being you.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Donna and family.

Thank you, Steve, for all of the memories. The years of fantasy baseball drafts, softball games, and most importantly and profoundly your kindness, care, hospitality and friendship.  You will always be missed.

When I think about the nineties, surely the best part of that decade for me was the time I got to spend in the presence of Steve Carroll.
He was the most wonderful man.  
He was always smiling and positive.  He never had a negative thing to say about anyone or anything.  I don’t think he had a mean bone in his body.
He treated everyone with respect and care.
He always made going to work at Peaches a complete joy.
His love of music and sports was contagious, and I knew how special he was during that time I got to spend with him.
I will always remember visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during that time, and bringing him back a key chain.
It was the least I could do.  I really have not met anyone else like him.

So glad I got to capture this moment. Steve & I got to see our favorite band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes a punk rock cover band that I would have never expected a 60 year old man to be listening to. A band I've listened to since I was 17.  When I heard they were coming to town in October 2022. I made sure we went together. It was the one and only time him and I got to share a concert together. But we spent almost a 1000 days working together as record store employees

 Steve and I had such a great work chemistry together. He was easily the nicest coworker I ever had. And easiest to rile up. Which I couldn't resist. He left his Facebook open. It was fair game. I just had to see what would happen if I wrote Korn is better than The Beatles.

I can't help but think that he deserved more. Because he gave so much. I thought he would have died a millionaire by how much he did for others. I went to visit him at a post surgery rehab facility in July. Another moment I'm glad I got to share with him. Because it was the final time I ever saw him. For the past few days I've been hearing all of his favorite songs. By my own design. But sometimes I'll hear one of his favorite songs while out and about. And it just makes me stop and smile. As he would every time he stepped foot through the door for work. It's almost as if he would snap into character. He would come in bummed out. As we all would. But he would perk up as soon as customers would walk through the door. He was always ready. Anytime he sold a CD out of the player. He would proudly exclaim. "He shoots he scores!" To which I would tease him. "We don't make a commission. Now I have to find a new CD to play!" His favorite thing to say every Saturday while working at a record store in Pinellas Park. Was  "it's just another Saturday in the Park." I found some small comfort in the fact he passed on a Saturday. I will always think of him when I hear that song & many others. 
Go Mets! 
⚾ 🕯️ 🙏 🤘 ❤️ BC your friend til the end

Steve and I grew up blocks apart but weren't friends until we worked together at Publix in our teens.  We went on to be roommates while at USF, and each other's best man in marriage.  Time took us in different directions particularly after I moved to Tallahassee.  We remained good friends, typically getting together for a few beers and burgers when I was in the area.  It's been some years since we went to a concert together,  Delta Rae, in Clearwater, but as others have said the bond through music was strong.  I was fortunate to have seen Steve several times in recent months while I was not employed.  May his memory outlive all of us..

Steve was my roommate for the last 7+ years. I have known Steve for over 41 years. I met him when I was working at Vinyl Fever. He was a regular customer at the time. When business got busier, we needed to hire additional help. We interviewed several people at the time, but it was apparent early that we wouldn't have trouble deciding who to hire. Steve stood out as exceptional, not just with music knowledge, but was a decent guy who was great at dealing with people and related well to the customers and other employees. Hiring Steve was a no brainer. Over the time we worked together and after we became good friends and maintained that friendship over the years. When Steve needed a place to stay and I needed a roommate, it was another no brainer.  When my daughter passed away 4+ years ago, he was there to pick me up and support me in my darkest hour. He was a kind soul, great friend and I will miss him very very much.

I can’t believe I won’t be able to see Steve again in a record store.  We enjoyed many late nights in the basement of WUSF hosting "Free Form Radio", recording & playing a song on the air as "the Afflictions." Peace and love to all who were touched by his smile and warm wit.
Willy Culkar

So many great memories of growing up with Steve from high school through college.
We were both Mets fans and music lovers.
Went to so many concerts together and music shopping was a regular occurrence.
Never forget after moving to Central Florida after High School, Steve sent me a concert ticket to Foghat in the mail and said “Get to Largo so we can go to this show”. No one ever did that for me before or since. Another time he gave me Hall and Oates Along The Red Ledge on vinyl cause I didn’t have a copy.
We saw them live in Lakeland at a small theater sometime in ‘78, front row seats, one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.
Steve and I spent  endless hours with Mike Cullens and Rob Roy, listening to and talking about music and sports and going to shows.  Spending the night at Steve’s house was always a blast. His mom was so good to me. Still one of the favorite seasons of my life.
He was a kind soul and I will miss him.

Bill Rowan

I was a long time customer of Steve.  I always enjoyed talking about bands that we both liked together, specifically Ramones.  I told him I was jealous of him because he said he used to see them live, and that they would come to the St. Pete/ Tampa area every year without fail.  He really knew his music knowledge and taught me a lot.  I was proud of myself to be able to surprise him with a smart response one day when he asked me sarcastically what the difference between  two wild bands I liked were.  I said " US and England?" He surprisingly said, " good one!!" I'll never forget him.

Ive known Steve for many years and I had the pleasure of working with him for a few months at Sound Exchange.  Everyone was never less than kind but Steve was the one who went out of his way.  Rest Easy Steve and I hope they have Hall and Oates in Heaven just for you,  Robert B

It is so hard to put into words the many unique attributes Steve brought into this world. You couldn't hear his name without thinking of music and sports. 

Steve was an avid New York Mets fan, loving them no matter how they performed. He also followed the Tampa Bay Bucs, Clearwater Threshers, USF Bulls, Duke Men's Basketball, and the Tampa Bay Lightning with passion.  He eagerly anticipated drafting his baseball and football fantasy teams each year, spending hours researching players to ensure his teams would be winners.

Over the years, Steve worked at various music stores, including Vinyl Fever, Peaches, Borders, and Sound Exchange. There, he was able to share his appreciation, love, and knowledge of music. People sought him out for his insights and opinions on music. Some people followed from one store to another throughout his career.

Through the years, Steve's voice graced the airwaves. He was program host, production assistant at WUSF-FM. He hosted "Free Form," a student-run radio show where unique and new music was introduced. Often, you would hear Steve say, "I'll play anything once." He also served as a jazz announcer and was an announcer for the volleyball team at Pasco-Hernando Community College.

Steve loved animals and would even name his pets after music artists. For example, his cocker spaniels were named Joey (for Joe Cocker), and Cooper (for Alice Cooper, and the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY).

Steve was fortunate to have lifelong friends and was always making new ones.

Steve, rest in peace, knowing that you touched the lives of many and you will be deeply missed.

He was always upbeat and friendly when I'd see him at the record store. I liked seeing him when I walked in. "Hey Steve"..."Hey Raine". My sympathies to his family and friends. I'll miss him. 
Raine Von Kiszka

I worked with Steve for 15 or so long years and we never had a argument. He was truly a nice soul and a good friend. Like everyone else he turned me on to a lot of good music. Mainly free jazz that he had picked up on during his days as a jazz dj at WUSF. He will be deeply missed by his friends and family . Playing some Blue Oyster Cult in his memory .  You deserved more Steve , goodbye my friend.

I met him over 13 years ago.  He was such a great person to talk too and such a wealth of knowledge.   So sad to hear of his passing.   He will be missed.

Steve and I were very close in age ... and in music taste. I always loved chatting with him about artists and records. Whenever I went into Sound Exchange, I hoped that he'd be there behind the counter. It was a big part of why I went there! Rest in Peace, my friend.

OBITUARY

Steven William Carroll

April 16, 1959 – January 25, 2025

Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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