Stephen John Dale Sr

Stephen was good brother. I have fond memories of us growing up together. Time spent, exploring, riding bikes back and forth to Grandma's home in Seaside. Going over the Thomas Mathis Bridge, we were restricted to a small walking path across the bridge. I was cautious and slow, while Stephen raced ahead and waited for be to arrive at the end of the bridge. Visiting Grandma almost meant food... often meatball sandwiches, a hug from her, we always stayed to watch the price is right before heading back home. Going home after, of course, we rode the boardwalk from the heights to the park and back again before heading to the Thomas Mathis Bridge, once again Stephen raced across and had to wait for me. We always had change in our pocket and often stopped for a Stewards root-beer. Stephen was a climber... he climbed telephone poles, street light poles and trees, quickly ascending much to our amazement and wonder. Stephen was kind, thoughtful and always won you over with that smile of his. We moved several times growing up from West Point Island to Webster Ave in Seaside to Toms River and ending up in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Here we were, teenagers in a new town, no friends but we had each other. Steve enjoyed mowing the grass, while Karen watched over all of us, like a mother hen. Both parents worked and we were kept on task by Karen, from homework to dinner at times and making sure we stayed on the right path. Both Steve and I owe her alot. I remember her sticking up for us and being confrontational, when necessary, with the local bully. Steve and I always shared a bedroom, separate twin beds. We were known to get pissed off at each other at times, creating a ruckus that caused our father to step in and quite the situation. I enjoyed and loved my brother growing up. We often didn't say it but we felt safe and loved as a family. During our high school years we seemed to take on different friends and spent more time apart. We knew we were there for each other. Family was important and came first before friends. Dinner was with the family, no ifs, ands or buts. Often outside, our Dad would whistle for us to come home, often for dinner. I remember Mom to us put up a calendar of meals and we always looked at it with anticipation of when our favorites were coming up. One of Steve's favorites was macaroni and cheese and veal cutlets. We took our initial helping and Steve would make sure he got seconds that day. I miss him terribly, weeping at this moment. I loved him so much! High School separated us even more. I had to register for the Draft and we were assigned draft numbers, we proudly carried our cards. When the military needed to bolster their ranks they pulled a lottery number and if you matched, you were drafted and had to report to your draft board to assignment to a military branch. My number never came up. I did enlist, but didn't make the cut. High Blood Pressure. Steve met Linda and he often talked about her at night when we were settling down for the night. He knew he was going to Marry her and couldn't wait. Our families were proud when they enlisted and off to boot camp in Paris Island. He went from being a brother to a man, protecting us. The change was as it was ordained, meant to be. I married Ellen at age 21, moved into an apartment complex in town. Steve went his way with Linda. Steve was so proud when he married Linda. We were so happy for them. Steve enjoyed his work, he was well respected and often I would run into people that knew him at Honeywell and I bragged he was my brother. Years became decades with us living on separate sides of the country. We often didn't talk but we knew we had a bond between the two of us. He often talked about little Stevie and Tia and how proud he was of them. I am sorry I didn't tell him I loved him more often and hugged him as a brother. I love you Stephen your loving brother Richard The picture is that of Stephen, me, Scott, my son standing, my youngest son Jeffrey with the beard and my oldest grandson Ben. Steve came to Rochester and we went to Morton's for dinner.