Stephen Elliott
1984 – 2024
Stephen Michael James Elliott was born September 13, 1984, in Syracuse, NY, and lived in McGraw and Horseheads, NY, Jacksonville, FL, and Rochester, NY. His life ended April 23, 2024, in Greece, NY.
Steve was unapologetically himself. He knew his own mind and generously shared his perspective. At the same time, he was a kind, caring, and compassionate individual – despite the many challenges that found him on his journey. As an adult, he maintained a quirky sense of humor appreciated by most even if fully understood by fewer. Steve built a varied and successful 25-year career in food service, where he earned the respect and admiration of both colleagues and customers. He held those he managed to the same high standards he himself exhibited, and he was known to cook and share his favorite work foods with his staff, family, and friends. Most recently, his culinary and service skills found him in a position at Texas de Brazil in Rochester, NY – a position he held with the same pride and determination as he had throughout his work life.
He was the definition of fanatic for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Nuggets and participated in multiple fantasy football leagues, including the extremely competitive Family Fantasy League. An avid concertgoer with eclectic taste in music and very definite opinions, he was also a skilled multi- instrumentalist and integral to family jam sessions. A Magic the Gathering aficionado, he recently achieved his longtime personal goal of assembling a 5-color deck (planeswalkers will understand the significance of this accomplishment).
Those left deeply missing him in all his uniqueness are his mother, Ruth F. Elliott of Henrietta, NY and siblings Erika (Daniel) Bokol of Aurora, CO, Michelle (Douglas) Olson of Henrietta, NY, Sean Sly of Kirkville, NY, Brian Sly (Virginia Rivera) of Jacksonville, FL, Lisa (Christopher) Strongosky of Jacksonville, FL. Nephews and nieces Nathan and Aaron Bokol, Jory and Cameron Olson, Mason (Holly) Kazel and Elizabeth Sly, Madison and Benjamin Strongosky knew him as Uncle Tuba, and for some, he was more like a brother. He has reunited with his father, Richard W. Elliott, who predeceased him in 2014.
A memorial gathering will be held later. Steve was a strong advocate of pets, especially those stray or missing, and a foster, adopter of Benny the cat, and supporter of Greece Residents Assisting Stray Pets in Rochester, NY. Donations to GRASP would be a meaningful way to honor his memory. https://www.graspinc.org/donate