George Steven Werthman

George Steven Werthman, 67, died peacefully from colon cancer on July 30, 2026, one year after his diagnosis and 18 months after moving to Portugal. In that brief time, Steve made a lasting impression on many new friends in his adopted city of Setúbal, where he will be deeply missed.

Steve’s enduring legacy is in South Florida, where he was a beloved community activist, devoted husband, son, and friend. A Broward County resident from the age of two, Steve witnessed tremendous change over his lifetime - and helped bring about some of the best of it. For more than four decades, he served Broward County through his work in environmental conservation, affordable housing, mental health, and homeless services.

While some people measure their lives by personal success, Steve measured his by the difference he made in the lives of others. He received numerous awards and accolades, but what mattered most to him were family and friends. From his childhood in Rolling Oaks - riding horses and spending time with cousins and lifelong friends - to the memorable parties he and Kathy hosted at their home in Hollywood, Steve treasured personal relationships.

Steve attended Colbert Elementary, Cooper City High School, Broward Community College, and Florida International University, from which he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

In the late 1970s, Steve co-founded the Environmental Coalition of Broward County. In 1982, he became the first executive director of the Florida League of Conservation Voters. He later served as site supervisor for Specialized Urban Ministries’ Urban Garden Program in Broward County and, in the late 1980s, became Broward County’s first outreach case manager for people experiencing homelessness and mental illness at Henderson Mental Health Center. He went on to manage the county’s first transitional shelter for homeless families, operated by The Salvation Army, and later opened the Miami Rescue Mission’s Broward Outreach Center shelter in Hollywood. Broward County then hired him to lead what became, for a time, the Homeless Initiative Partnership Division. He ended his formal career as chief operating officer of HOPE South Florida

Steve was recognized nationally as a subject-matter expert on homeless services. He presented at annual conferences for the National Alliance to End Homelessness and U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), as well as at HUD’s Florida Statewide Faith Based Conference in 2001. In 2004, he was invited to the White House Conference Center to present to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness on Broward County’s response to chronic homelessness.

His commitment to service extended well beyond his career through decades of leadership with civic, housing, environmental, and faith-based organizations. His volunteer service included serving as President of the Inter-Faith Council of Greater Hollywood and leading an Emerging Church group. He was a member of Leadership Hollywood Class XX. Most recently, Steve was an officer on the boards of South Florida Community Land Trust and The Fruitful Field Community Garden. Steve was a local leader with the Democratic Party, but his values transcended partisan politics.

Above all, Steve cherished the life he shared with his beloved wife, Kathy. They met in 1991 when both worked for The Salvation Army of Broward County, Florida. Friendship bloomed into romance, and they married at the Trinity College Chapel in Hartford, CT in 1995. Together they enjoyed a life centered on love, friendship, music, faith, family, and community. Their partnership reflected the same compassion and generosity that defined Steve's life.

Those who knew him best remember a man who sought solutions rather than recognition, listened more than he spoke, and treated everyone with kindness and respect. Steve was an avid barefooter, loved taking naps, and in his later years, surprised himself by becoming a “cat butler” to his precious orange cat Mango. He enjoyed history, genealogy, eating in restaurants, and playing pool barefoot at Toby’s with friends, while listening to his favorite music on the jukebox.

Steve loved having fun with friends. He and Kathy held holiday parties every year at their charming house in the Hollywood Lakes, which were avidly anticipated and enjoyed by all who attended - and everyone was welcome. His final wish was to give his friends and family one last party. One of Steve’s heroes was environmentalist and first female Broward County Commissioner Anne Kolb. Steve helped her in the fight to conserve sensitive land, so it is fitting that Steve’s Celebration of Life party will be held in the park named after her.

Private funeral service hosted by Fred Hunter’s.

Celebration of Life at Anne Kolb Nature Center on Saturday, August 22nd at 5 p.m.

Per Steve’s request, donations in his memory may be made to: RebuildingTogetherBroward.org and TheFruitfulField.org.