Gerard Stephen Slovenkay

Beloved son of the late Stephen and Ethel Slovenkay, Steve was born on May 21, 1950, in Cleveland, Ohio. He will forever be remembered as the loving husband of the late Maureen Katherine Slovenkay (née Hvest); dearest father of Leah (Mohammad Iravani), Erin (Bob Micheletto), Alanna (Jeremy Axworthy), and Michael (Lauren Hernandez); devoted grandfather of Delilah Baker-Stack (Skye-Forest Baker-Stack), Augustus Iravani, Cassius Iravani, Cyrus Iravani, Fox Micheletto, Mona Micheletto, and Rocky Axworthy; and beloved brother of Alan (Stan Bogusz), Nancy, Richard (Nancie), and Tom (Beth).

A proud graduate of St. Edward High School, Class of 1968, Steve went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University. Following in his father’s footsteps, he built a long career at LTV Railroads, eventually rising to become head of Labor Relations.

Steve fostered in his children and grandchildren a deep love of learning and, even more importantly, an abiding love of family. He was, in every sense, a Renaissance man. Among his many talents, passions, roles, and occasional misadventures, he was:

• A sportsman on the court, on the water, and on the golf course

• A basketball coach who knew character mattered as much as the score

• An angler who understood the particular pleasure of waiting for a fish that might never come

• A reader and writer with an endlessly curious mind

• An artist who saw the world a little differently

• A chef who knew that feeding people was one of life’s great acts of love

• A lover of verse and the beauty of a well-turned phrase

• A musician and devotee of classical music

• The best of brothers

• A loving son, devoted husband, proud father, and adoring grandfather

• A teacher of curiosity and a lifelong student of the world

• Ready to kick ass at a moment’s notice

• A renowned member of the Solenoid Harpies

• A crafter of sneaky-ass chess moves

• And, above all, an unforgettable character who lived fully, loved fiercely, and left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know him

Steve’s greatest legacy is found not in a résumé or a list of accomplishments, but in the people he loved and the lives he shaped. His children and grandchildren carry forward his curiosity, humor, strength, stubbornness, creativity, and fierce devotion to family.

He will be deeply missed, frequently quoted, occasionally argued with in absentia, and remembered with enormous affection.

May he rest in peace—and may his next chess opponent underestimate him.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on October 11 in Cleveland. Please contact [email protected] for details.