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Kenneth Schenatzki planted 3 trees in memory of Steven Shay
Monday, January 29, 2024
3 trees were planted in memory of
Steven G. Shay
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Kenneth Schenatzki will always rember all the kayak trips and races he did with Steve Shay. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Kim DesLauriers posted a condolence
Saturday, January 20, 2024
I loved visiting with Steve when we ran into each other at Ace, the gym, or Downtown. He had a wonderful spirit and a zest for life. Steve had a special love for Morris and he was a great ambassador for the Downtown. Most of all, he was a man of God, family, and others. I always concluded my visits with Steve feeling happy we ran into each other that day.
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Kathy and Kevin Earing (Kaferkleen carpet cleaning) posted a condolence
Thursday, January 18, 2024
We are so saddened by Steve's passing. We are still in shock but already miss him. We own a carpet cleaning business and always looked forward to seeing Steve at one of his apartments that we went to clean. He had so much knowledge on the history of the buildings he restored in downtown Morris. He was one of the hardest working people we knew and such a kind person. We often ran into him in Menards and he always stopped to visit with us. A couple times I saw him sitting in his car in the Jewel parking lot eating lunch, probably not stopping for long before he got back to work on doing what he loved to do. We admired his joy and pride for the work he did and know the town of Morris will not be the same without him.
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Rob Deischer posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
I'm going to miss working with you. Just remember all the fun we had working on the one bedroom Trailer.. and every other job we worked on together.
You never did teach me how to install tile. Going to miss you old yellow tool friend from your Red Tool friend Rob
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Anonymous planted a tree in memory of Steven Shay
Thursday, January 11, 2024
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Steve loved the outdoors in loving memory a tree will be planted, Love, The Fisher Family Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Thomas Millar posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Steve Shay
Some of my fondest memories of Steve:
I met Steve through a kayaking group in 2007. We all went to a Triathon where kayaking was subbed for swiming. Afterward, Steve went to a friends house close by in Geneva. I remeber that was the nighgt Barry learned he was a grandfather. Steve was so warm and friendly. I distinctively remeber Linda telling him she had an extra bed for him to sleep on. Steve did not want to sleep in the bed. In fact he actually asked if he could sleep on the floor. But not just the floor, he wanted to sleep on the fire place rocks so he could train to sleep on the shore for his MR340, a race in which you paddle the entire state of Missouri.
After doing eventsin this kayak meetup club, Steve became part of the inner circle of friends down in Morris. We had a nick name for this group. Orginally it was called The POO Crew, after a very fun and adventous trip down the Kickapoo River. The group consisted of Darria, myself and a good friend John H, who passed away in 2015. After more fun times with the gang Barry, Steve and another friend Melissa P became know as The Poo Crew + 3. These individuals beame my closest friends and family.
Steve was like a father to me. I am forever grateful to Steve and his wife Margaret. After a few years of leaving the state I returned back in 2013. I had no place to go. Steve was very generiouis and offer a place to stay in one of his rentals that were not occupied. He even helped me move all my belonings into the apartment and in an extra storage garage he owned. Steve never wanted money. I always offered to help him with his properties. He never accepted my offers but I insisted.
I insisted I help to earn my stay. Eventually, Steve let me help him with his properties. He taught me a lot. He taught me woodworking, how to lay tile and other various skills. One I distintively remeber was that of a large white house with old peeling paint. I insisted that I paint it. It required many long and tedicous hours of skills I did not have. Steve gave me a paint brush, a scapper and can of white paint with a ladder. I had no former training but Steve showed me the basics. Steve would come by and bring me water and food during the blistering heat. He would get me drinks and food. Steve know I was not working and he would often take me to a restaurant in Morris that had a $9.99 NY Strip snadwich. Steve and I
Over the course of that
I have lots of memories of Steve being very competive. He always raced the Des Plaines marathon. For his divison he always placed and often rivaled some of our closest friends who were professional atheletes. Over time, Steve was determined to get stronger and stronger. I remeber Steve doing a race during the winter where he ran a few hundred miles during the extreme cold. During that time I shared a lot of adventures with Steve/ I would go running with him. We would often go out in the cold. I could never keep up with Steve. He was not very fast but Steve never gave up. He was a machine that had no off switch.
One memory I have with Steve is when the entire Illinios River was iced over. They often open up the pools and the water and ice will break up and move down stream. One time, Steve wanted to fetch soemthing he saw on the other side. I cannot rememeber what but he was determined to paddle across this dangerous conditons. I was worried about him and tod him that he needed safety gear and cold winter water clothing in case he fell in. I even offered my own drysuit in which he declined. Steve told me stories about when he was a kid he would make wooded rafts and get a stick and float out on the ice for fun. I was so worried for him I followed him out across the iced over river. As huge icebergs floated by he fearlessly traversed across the river with no difficulty. He was on a quest. When Steve put his mind to something he would not stop until it was done. Steve never saw limits to anything. No gaols could not be acheive. Steve knew if he put his mind to soemthing his body would follow. I dont think I ever met anyone so capable of suceeding for things he set forth.
Another distinctive memory of Steve was when Janee, Karin, Steve, Miike McGreey and I met up in Madison for Canoecopia. Janee was very generuous and took us all out to dinner. We had lots of good fun and compay and our friend Barry was unable to attend. I rememeber making a sign that said "where is Barry" because Steve and him were very close friends.
After dinner we ended up going out for drinks. All of us went to a LGBQ friendly establishment. We dance with cross dressors and a guy that looked like RuPaul. I dont think Steve had every seen anything like this but he had a lot of fun. Steve was always open minded and never judgemental.
I have many memories of Steve kayaking. Steve and I after a long day of work once met up in downtown Chicago. We started at 2am and paddled from Evanston all the way down Navy Pier and back. I have the distinctive memory of watching the sky go from black, the deep purple, to dark red and orange. It was one of the most magical experinces I had ever on the water and watching the sun rise. Steve had no limits. He had no fears. The concerns that others would have Steve always knew how or could find a way to complete what he set off to do. Steve was a big teddy bear with a heart larger than life.
My deepest condolences to Steve’s family, his friend’s and everyone who knew of him.
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Holly Howard posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Margaret I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers of comfort are offered for you and your family. May your memories be blessings.
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Janet and Don(moose) Matteson posted a condolence
Monday, January 8, 2024
Our condolences to you and family. We will always remember all the good deeds he did to help others and was so good at all the things he did He was a blessing to KayakMorris our daughter and being available when help was needed. Prayers and Peace to you all and assure that he is now in the loving hands of our Lord and Savior.
We remember his times at the hardware store where he would have coffee and chat with us.
Peace be with you.
Janet and and Don Matteson
A Memorial Tree was planted for Steven Shay
Monday, January 8, 2024
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Fred C. Dames Funeral Homes - Morris Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Steven G. Shay uploaded a photo
Monday, January 8, 2024
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