When I was little, I remember going to the post office and seeing Grandpa behind the counter and I felt like he was larger than life. He had this presence in every room he entered and a presence in each of our lives that was bigger than he may have known. He was always proud of any accomplishment or milestone by his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren, taking the time to celebrate no matter how far away we were. 

I will always be grateful for my time with my grandfather. Thank you for laying the foundation of this family, being my godparent and my grandfather. I will forever keep him and my memories in my heart. Say hello to Grandma for me. I love you always, Grandpa. 

Your granddaughter, 
Stephanie

Steve, Sixty two years ago we asked you to be our Best Man and Ethel my Matron of Honor.  You were surprised but followed through and we have been so ever grateful.  Ethel was my sister that I never had and it meant so much to me.  We are sad that you have left us but happy that you are finally with  Ethel once again.  Ill always remember you briefing me about all our relatives all the haircuts that you gave our kids, fun times we  shared as families. It was all good. Your kindness to my Mom Ruth was so appreciated .Life is so short when you Love someone, we never seem to have enough time as you well know.  Rest in Peace, we will miss you, until we meet again ,( but not too soon OK  )  We love you 

Dear Uncle Steve,
You always gave the best hugs.  I will miss them.  Ernie, Drake, Brent  and Cate, and I will remember you fondly.  Love you now and always.  
Your niece, Janet

There is so much I could say about my grandfather and the truly amazing life he led. Growing up he was my best friend, my gardening partner, my support system, my protector, my silent guardian, my whole world. As I got older, not much changed other than the time we spent together. I wish more than anything that I could have all that time back but I know one day we will have all the time in the world together. He was a quiet and patient man, with the unwavering love for all of us. I always find myself wishing I could have had more time with my grandmother so I count myself truly blessed to have had my grandfather for such a large part of my life. He was there cheering for me in the stands, at every graduation, every chorus concert, every holiday, every moment and that is a testament to his true love for his family. I find comfort and joy in the fact that him and my grandmother will be smiling down, attending Tom and I’s wedding, finally together again.  I will miss him every single day until we are reunited again. Thank you grandpa for all of the time, support and love. I know you will always be with me. 

I love my Uncle Steve! Such a wonderful man, so kind and sweet. He was a gentle soul always ready for a  hug, a dance, a story or a grouper sandwich! Every time I visited my relatives Uncle Steve made me feel special, as if I was the only one there, and there were many! We had a standing joke created in Florida on a visit when I was a  little girl. While driving in the car Uncle Steve looked up at the sky and mentioned the possibility of rain. "I don't know Donna, do you think it's cloudy?" he asked. From then on that phrase was our special way of greeting each other. 

Even though we did not see each other often his loving presence was felt across the miles.

I will miss you Uncle Steve. 

Do you think it's cloudy? The answer is yes. 



Dad, 
As I prepare to lay you to rest, a million thoughts and memories race through my head and heart.  Though not a man of many words, you always got your point across by example. I always remember you telling me, "You can't unring  a bell" so to be careful with my words. Always wanting to teach us the importance of saving money, I remember you enrolling me in the bank's Christmas club for $ .25 a week and how I enjoyed buying gifts come November. I will also always appreciate your help babysitting Chris so I could finish my teaching degree.  After Mom passed, we'd go out to dinner every Wednesday night and catch up.  How I will miss those evenings. As the years passed and your memory faded, we would play Yahtzee, Boggle and Scrabble and go down memory lane together. Those days will forever be in my heart.  Never will I forget your last attempt at movement as we played the Tarentella for you.  Don't worry, we'll dance it in your honor at Kasey's wedding. Thank you for always filling my life with love. Rest in peace  my dear Dad,  until we can do the Tarantella again. Love you forever, Barbara Jean (your Italian daughter)

From the day I came on the scene 40 years ago as Jeannine's boyfriend  Grandpa Steve made me feel part of the Lazzaro family...Over the years  he added   so much to all our lives...An  Awesome Grandpa who was always there and lit up when he saw his grandkids...A loving husband...A Caring Father...A perfect example of how important family is  in the whole scope of things...A kind heart that saw good in just about everything.......A Family tree guru and encyclopedia especially with all the Tony and Theresas....A great story teller...A concert level coductor at Christmas...A Saturday AND Sunday football marathon watching partner. And never complained...A pleasure to cook for....A good  listener to my views on  politics and the world regardless if he agreed or not... These are just a few of my memories of  him .After my parents passed He felt more like my Dad than my father in law..He truly was a fine  human being..Having him with us the  last fews years was a pleasure and honor.......I will not morn his passing long ...I know he would not want that ...for there was more of his life and memories to be fondly remembered and celebrated..God  will have his baton and coffee with lite cream only(with a stir)waiting..God gave us treasure and we are all thankfull. I know he will be looking over us all  to make sure we are all living like ...EVERY DAY IS CHRISTMAS AROUND HERE. 

RIP to the best grandfather...best man and one of the best humans I've known! Here's to a long great life and I will celebrate your life and the happiness and all that we all have enjoyed! Love u! I'll do a shot of Jameson in celebration!

It isn’t hard to celebrate a life that will be missed so very much, Dad was one of a kind. I was introduced to this family just over 50 years ago when Tony and I began dating and eventually married. I not only gained 2 more wonderful sisters but another set of parents that were an amazing example of love and security. From the start, I saw that Dad was a worrier not only about his dilemmas but other’s problems. I still remember him many years ago with his cigar and a glass of wine at the dining room table mulling over what the answers were to his latest subject of concern. Tony and I had pretty much given up on our dream of every owning our own home, but Dad was apparently hard at work on his own to make our dream come true. Every day on his way to work at the Largo post office, he drove by a sign advertising a new housing development. He kept telling us to go and see because he was sure it was a house that we could afford to buy. We thought he was being overly optimistic but we eventually went and visited the development. Well, thanks to Dad and his persistence (which he had plenty of!), we did buy our first home - a dream come true for us all because Dad had faith and kept our dream alive even though we had given up. At our Christmas Eve gatherings we could always count on Dad to lead us in singing Christmas carols with his trusty baton in hand to direct. He took this assignment very seriously. We always had a very successful night of fun and singing under his direction! Dad was a kind, thoughtful and caring man. I was honored and grateful to be trusted to take care of him after his heart surgery. I have never heard Dad utter an unkind word about anyone - a skill I admired and haven’t been able to achieve myself. He always saw the best in people, expected the best from them and had hope for everyone to do the right thing. Thank you Dad for all you taught us just by being you. Now it’s time to take your baton and lead the hymns in heaven. Much love always, Debbie

Dad was a father to me, a grandfather to my daughters and a great grandfather to my grandchildren.  He was always ready to serve as an “extra Dad” so all my girls could attend “Dad and Daughter Date Night” at Largo Rec or to make sure everyone’s hair was trimmed.
My favorite photo of him is the one where he’s sitting in a chair reading a newspaper. I had seen that pose many times starting in my mom’s wing chair in the living room on Barnes Ave. in the Bronx, reading the Sunday N.Y. Times in its entirety. He loved to walk and was known to travel on foot from his home to mine on Thanksgiving Day which was just over 5 miles.  He would visit, pick some citrus  and ride with us back to his house for turkey dinner.
As a teenager, to insure my car would be ready for a date later that night, I would get up early on a Saturday morning to drop him off at his barber shop. Then, after spending the day at the junkyard retrieving parts to repair my car, I would ride up at closing to take him home. Sometimes there would be a customer or two still there for him to finish up. But we couldn’t  leave when they were done because Saturday was cleaning day at the shop. Sweeping, mopping and more. On those days I got to see Dad the businessman’s work ethic, respect for people, always doing the right thing even if it was harder - all the tools he gave his children to apply to our own lives and careers. A quiet man, he led by example.
Over the years I have thanked you for all the lessons and qualities you have given us. But I feel I need to say thank you one more time for all you have shown us and lived by all your life.
Rest In Peace Dad. Love to you, Anthony
 
















From as far back as our childhood Steve was always known as the kindest and most gentle soul anyone knew. Always upbeat and positive. A pleasure to be around.  He and his family were always the most gracious hosts when we were together. Nothing but the best memories. He will be missed by all !!!   

We in the Mahoney Family all loved our Uncle Steve.  We recall the many pleasant times spent on visits with Aunt Ethel, Uncle Steve, Anthony, Barbara and Jeannine in West Nyack and later in Florida, and what fun those family get-togethers were. During family dinners, sometimes over Aunt Ethel's outstanding eggplant parmesan, Steve would break out in song . . . with his renditions from Italian opera. In a quiet way, he was great fun. We were fortunate to join his friends and family at his 85th and 90th birthday celebrations where he was seen having a good time, dancing with the ladies and chatting with all. Later that year, after his 90th birthday, he helped us celebrate Brent and Cate's wedding here in Maryland where we enjoyed his company. It was good to have fun with him again.  We always loved our visits with Uncle Steve because of his warm and gentle nature and engaging demeanor and warm smile.  We loved him dearly and will miss him very much.

Dad 
The hardest part was not having you in my care. The hardest part was to let go of your care. I needed to know you were safe and would be cared for. As I held your hand and cried, I looked at all the family photos around your room, my glance went straight to the photo of you and mom. It was then I knew it was ok to let go. I knew that you would be in God AND Mom's hands now. What better place to be!

I am truly grateful and blessed that I was there when you took your last breath. Although sad to see you go, it was such a peaceful passage. Something I will never forget.

I hope and pray you are resting comfortably now. I miss you terribly and wish I could hold your hand just one more time.  Thank you for the wonderful life you have given me. Always full of love and care and joyful family memories. We will meet again someday buddy.  And I can then hear you say "everyday's Christmas 'round here!", once again.  I love you forever... your baby daughter, the German one (lol), Jeannine 

Please be sure to click “from the family” under memories to view many photos of my dad and all his family he loved so much 

Thinking of all our cousins down south and sending love and strength. Uncle Steve was a great man, and I’m sad to hear of his passing yet comforted knowing that he is again with Ethel. xoxox 

I have childhood memories of Steve and Ethel that reflect kindness and goodness. My view of Steve from a child's perspective did not change as my husband and I shared happy events with him and his children. I am sure Steve is now in heaven, for his life choices always answered the question ...What would Jesus do? 
Such a good man!

Great Grandpa always loved to read to us! We even got to read to him in his last days. 

Great Grandpa was very fun to be around! 

have a couple of pictures I wanted to share

Steve was my father in law and we became very close in the last five years.  I will miss the times we worked and talked in the garden.  He was kind and good hearted and loved my soups that I would make for him. He was always complimentary and worried about his family which obviously was his biggest love. Talked little, but when he did it was always about his family.  He was one on the many WWII vets I’ve met and like all of them he was humble about his service and always said that he was only doing his duty.   He was one of my heroes and I will miss him greatly.

OBITUARY

Stephen P Lazzaro

April 4, 1926 – February 16, 2021

Turner Funeral Home & Florida Hills Memorial Gardens

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