Stephen A. Sjoblom

Stephen Arthur Sjoblom, age 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, passed away and joined the angels in heaven on September 25, 2023.  Steve was a peacemaker, a problem solver, and a calm, gentle soul who will be greatly missed by his beloved wife, two sons, and countless others.

Steve was born in Fairfax, Virginia to Glen and Marge Sjoblom on June 4, 1976.  He spent his entire childhood and teen years in Great Falls, Virginia, chasing around his older siblings, Preston and Patty.  Steve loved playing soccer and basketball, skiing, swim team, his Samoyed “Spike,” and spending time with his friends and family.  He was a curious kid with a hunger for learning and understanding how things worked.  Even as a child he had a memory a mile long and an incredible capacity to retain statistics and facts.  Steve was proud of having read the entire encyclopedia from A through Z and was everyone’s first pick for Trivial Pursuit teams, his favorite game.    

After graduating from Herndon High School, Steve spent four fantastic years at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.  He was in the Architecture School, where he made lifelong friends still referred to as the “A-School Boys.”  He graduated from UVA in 1998 and began working for Clark Construction in Washington DC as a Project Manager.  Steve loved Italian architecture and food, and he traveled to Italy three times in his early 20s.  His favorite city was Siena in Tuscany.

Steve was blessed to meet his wife, Christine Jarchow, over coffee at the Cosi Café in Alexandria, Virginia.  Steve and Christy married in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on June 5, 2004.  They built a beautiful life there, with Christy’s family close by, who warmly folded him right into their tight-knit lives.  Steve and Christy loved traveling, attending University of Florida football games, tasting new wines, and could routinely be found boating or grilling out with family or friends on the weekends.  They remained close with Steve’s family in Virginia, Maryland and California, and spent many holidays with extended family. 

Steve’s happiest moments in life were the births of his sons, Robbie in 2006 and Johnny in 2010.  Steve adored his boys and was a devoted dad.  He loved playing sports with Robbie and Johnny and being involved in their many school and church activities, academics and accomplishments.  He also enjoyed showing them new cities and historic sights, having just visited Boston and Cape Cod this past summer. He liked to share bits of wisdom and interesting facts in everything he did, and was a steadfast mentor and life coach to his sons.  

Steve began working at Stiles Construction in 2004 as a Project Manager.  He dedicated the next 19 years to Stiles as a loyal and hardworking member of their tight and supportive team.  Steve’s problem-solving skills, calm demeanor, and amazing command of statistics and facts served him well in his project management career.  He oversaw construction projects around Fort Lauderdale, including the beachfront Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, Paramount Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Station, a parking garage at Port Everglades, and most recently the Broward County Courthouse.  Steve loved his Stiles teammates like family and was recently promoted to Construction Project Executive.  

Steve was a loving husband, father, son, brother and loyal friend.  He was kind and compassionate to his core.  He is irreplaceable.  While we grieve the loss of Steve and the gaping hole it leaves in us, we feel immensely grateful for the 47 years that we spent with him.  His time on earth was not nearly as long as we would want, but Steve’s calm, gentle spirit, his humble nature, and his love for life will live in our hearts and memories forever.  

Steve is survived by his wife, Christine, and sons Robbie and Johnny; parents Glen and Marge Sjoblom; brother Preston Sjoblom (wife Helane Turner), nephew Ashton Sjoblom; sister Patty Sjoblom Gill (husband Mike Gill), and their children Hannah, Avery, and Patrick; parents-in-law Rick and Diane Jarchow; brother-in-law Rick Jarchow, Jr.; sister-in-law Laura Jarchow, and niece Eva.

Family will be receiving friends on Monday, October 2, 2023 from 4-8 PM at Fred Hunters Memorial Services, 718 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 901 NE 2nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 10 am. Interment will be immediately following at Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale. 

Steve’s family thanks you for joining them in celebrating Steve’s incredible life.  They also wish to extend their sincere thanks to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church/School, Stiles Construction, St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church, and Cardinal Gibbons High School.   

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.