My phone rang. I picked up. The voice on the other end said, "I don't do dishes, I don't do windows and I don't shovel." I knew then he was coming up. He accepted our offer. That was early October. That was my brother, Steve.
Let me begin:
Steve had a passion for being outdoors. He lived for the outdoors. He hiked. He camped. He worked. He loved. He captured all this with his camera. Steve also had a sharp wit and that wit was often delivered with a splash of sarcasm. For instance,"That's my nickname." This was said in reference to the time when Steve worked at Taunton State Hospital. A patient he tended to always called him Nick and, in a healing fashion, Steve let it continue. He, however, was reprimanded by his manager for letting this non-reality talk continue. Hospital rules, after all. My brother quickly replied and said, "Well then, let's just say that's my nickname!" Another famous line was "Hey Ebenezer!" Steve spent many years working at The Yard Stop in Mount Dora, FL. It was here that he was known for calling his new boss "Ebenezer". You see, Steve and his coworkers were secretly fuming one July 4th "eve". They all wanted to leave early, but no one dare ask. Steve, however, all six foot two inches of him, walked up to the new owner and said, "Hey, Ebenezer. It's July 4th Eve. Can I leave early?" Somewhat dumbfounded, the new owner simply replied, "OK". His coworkers weren't so lucky. They watched him leave. He will also be remembered for his "cheap bastard" comment. Steve was very fond of Ruggles Mine, in Grafton, NH. He loved it there. As a matter of fact, when Steve arrived in NH he brought a framed picture of this spot to hang in his room. I asked Steve how many times he had been there over the years. Without missing a beat, he replied, "Once! The cheap bastard only took me once." That cheap bastard was me. I paid the admission but once.
It's his wit we'll miss the most.
On December 24th, the best man at my wedding, the brother to me, Wayne Radcliffe, the son to Frederick and Jennie Radcliffe, the Uncle to Jonathan Radcliffe, Nicholas Radcliffe, Samantha Radcliffe, the brother-in-law to Brenda Radcliffe, the cousin, nephew, friend to many others in Holbrook MA, Braintree MA, Quincy MA, Eustis FL, Mount Dora FL, Costa Rica, Little Pond and Cranberry Pond came to rest.
You see, my brother had cancer. He drove non-stop from Florida to New Hampshire with man's best friend by his side, "Grasshopper", his chihuahua. He came home to spend his remaining time with us, his family, to share fond memories, to play a few games of cribbage, to enjoy home made jerky and to share his final wishes.
He will live in our hearts forever.
We love you Steve.