Steven William Beck, 90 years young of Monessen, was called home by God and passed away peacefully with family by his side Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. Born Jan. 7, 1932, in Monessen, he was the son of the late Charles and Zella Brown Beck. He was a former member of St. Anthony of Padua and presently a member of the Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Parish. Our beloved Steve, also known as “Sonny Boy,” “Steverino” or “SqueechHawk,” (as he was affectionately called by his closest relatives and friends), was a 1949 graduate of Monessen High School and lived a quiet life until he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1951 … Semper Fidelis! He served his country for three years as a sergeant and returned home from Camp Pendleton, Calif., to earn veteran status and met the love of his life, Sylvia Nestor of Monessen. Engaged after only one month of courtship, they married Sept. 29, 1956, and built a wonderful life together. At that time, he was employed by the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation, where he labored with the Open Hearth Rigging Gang as a rigger for 36 years until his retirement in 1987. He also served as a steward and bartender extraordinaire at the Croatian Home in Monessen for 30 years after leaving the steel mill and belonged to multiple local ethnic clubs where he would “sign the book.” He loved dealing cards in hometown poker games and gambling and attending shows at the Tropicana with his wife on bus trips to Atlantic City. He just loved a sure bet, and was a gifted numbers man, excelling in mathematics. He was also a diehard fan of his alma mater, MHS Greyhounds’ sports teams and all things Pittsburgh Steelers, especially when they were winning. Steve was everybody’s best buddy, the king of a shot and a beer with his cronies after a long, hard day’s work or an overtime shift in the mill, and was an avid bowler, attending many tournaments with his homies. He not only loved vacationing in Ocean City, Md., every summer with his family, but hitting on a ticket and playing the daily lottery as well. He certainly hit the jackpot when he raised two beautiful children, Steven Charles and Julie Rose, with his lovely bride, and became a grandfather to three gorgeous grandkids, Wendy Elizabeth, Brittany Alexis and Brandon Luciano years later, and they just adored their “Pap-Pap.” He also got to see his new and only great-grandchild, Layla Emmi, this past summer and was overjoyed with love for her. Never having a driver’s license, but being the best backseat driver, this very fit man walked everywhere all his life, starting out with delivering newspapers on routes as a young boy all over the hills of Monessen with his legs for wheels. He was notorious for taking long walks with his grandchildren in their strollers and with our family dogs whenever he visited Michigan, and for going to any of the local bars for some Stoney’s or Coors Light with his drinking pals. These treks attributed to all his aerobic exercise over the years in the Mon Valley. That being said, “Uncle Steve” was a man with the biggest and strongest heart, both literally and figuratively, and it kept on ticking for so long that he was able to enjoy his favorite meals of sunny side up eggs, spit-fired lamb and roasted spuds (a real meat and potatoes guy!) and coconut cream pie, and he would give the shirt off his back by donating generously to countless charities and supporting the arts over many decades. Smilin’ Steve was so proud of his Croatian- Hungarian heritage and was a 50-plus year member of CFU Lodge 194, the American Legion and Fraternal Order of Eagles in Monessen. As the years progressed, he kept busy by looking after Sylvia when she became unable to walk on her own and then was wheelchair-bound. Steve, the dementia patient, became the caregiver to her, even though he needed greater care himself. His devastating Alzheimer’s disease and blood disorder were ultimately his downfall, but he managed to live a very simple, full and gloriously happy and content life up until his health started to fail. Although his memory had faded over the past few years, the cherished memories we have of his life well-lived and how he made us laugh without even trying will sustain our family and friends through this difficult time. Also, he loved to sing and harmonize to oldies tunes with his wife and daughter and perfected “Show Me the Way to Go Home” and the Good Lord certainly did! This truly one-of-a-kind, big-hearted, honest-to-a-fault, wise and gentle soul was pure Steve. As he went to be with Jesus, you will never have met a more sweet, humble, kind, loving and dedicated family man who loved deeply and had a quiet resolve, heart of gold and compassion for everyone who ever had the pleasure of his company. Always preaching his favorite motto of “Be nice,” his devout Catholic faith made him a very religious, God-fearing and caring man. The world lost one of the good guys, but we know we were truly blessed to have known and loved him. May Steve’s memory be eternal, and may the perpetual light shine upon him as his spirit is now in God’s welcoming and loving arms in heaven with the angels. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sylvia (Nestor) Beck; his son, Steven (Valerie) Beck; and daughter, Julie (Jeffrey) Persico; grandchildren, Wendy (Brett) May, Brittany (Jacob) Masteller and Brandon Persico; great-granddaughter, Layla Emmi Masteller; brother, Gary Beck (Nancy); sisters, Sharon Arpin (Ray) and Susan (Jeffrey) Smith; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Jack and Rose Ribich Beck, who helped raise him as a child; and his maternal grandparents Steven and Elizabeth Popely Brown; sisters, Rosemary Beck and Joanne Sickels; his grand-dog, Tucker, who we know has been on multiple walks with Steve since he entered God’s Kingdom; and many aunts and uncles. Family and friends will be received during visitation hours from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC., 1209 Grand Blvd., Monessen, PA 15062. A blessing service will be held in the funeral home with Father Michael Crookston officiating at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, followed by a traditional Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 44 Pennsylvania Blvd., Monessen, PA 15062. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Monessen. Online condolences are being accepted by the family on the funeral home’s website, www.rhomefuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association to honor Steve’s courageous fight with his illness. A heartfelt “thank you” needs to be said to all those caregivers who paid special attention and took such good care of Steven W. Beck over these last few months and years in Michigan, and at the Hallsworth House in Monessen, Grandview Estates Memory Care in Elizabeth, and his OSPTA Hospice Team, who made his last few days and hours as comfortable as possible for him. We cannot express how deeply touched we are as a family by your unwavering care, concern and empathy for what he endured with all his health issues. Our hearts are full for what everyone has done to make Daddy Steve’s life have meaning, dignity and purpose. You are all true angels on Earth.
