Steven Peter Filizola lay down his burden to enjoy eternal peace in Heaven on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 10:00pm.

Steve was born on April 30, 1938, in Brooklyn NY to Maria DeRosa and John Filizola. Although Steve was an only child, he was surrounded by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. The extended family frequently gathered together for Italian meals and good times. As a child, Steve developed his love of movies. He and his cousins would go to the movies and laugh hysterically at Abbot and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, and the Three Stooges. Other favorites included Dracula and Frankenstein.

Steve was industrious as a child, always looking for ways to make a few dollars. Steve came up with the idea of making money by selling lilacs. His mother, Maria, had a beautiful lilac tree in the front yard in full bloom. Young Steve clipped the flowers, loaded them in his wagon, and sold them door to door. Although the neighbors appreciated the beautiful flowers, his mother was not so pleased! After that, he stuck to his paper route.

Steve worked for Western Union at the historic building on 60 Hudson Street, known as the Western Union Building. It was the premier location for worldwide communications. He worked as an architect, doing interior planning and design for their offices around the country. He met his wife, Marie Senneville, in Miami, FL. He had attended his friends, Sal and Elaine’s, first anniversary party, where everyone encouraged him to get himself a wife of his own. When he jokingly asked the couple where he could find one, they told him Florida, the place they had gone on their honeymoon. It so happened that he had vacation time, and left the next day for Miami. He met Marie and was determined to keep in touch with her once he returned to Brooklyn. Steve fed a lot of coins to the phone booth on the corner, the only place where he could talk to Marie in private. After a second trip to FL, Marie agreed to leave Miami and return with him to Brooklyn.

Although French-Canadian by birth, Marie became Italian by marriage. She quickly learned to cook the Italian dishes Steve had grown up with. Steve and Marie had two children, Monique and Matthew. Steve’s main past time was having fun with his children, taking them on trips to the park, zoo, aquarium and amusement park. His favorite ride was the Cyclone at Coney Island. Even though the backyard in Brooklyn was tiny, Steve made sure his children had a swing set and pool to play in, making the yard the most popular on the block with the other kids. He frequently brought his children to visit the Western Union Building on 60 Hudson Street, where they got to tour the historic telegraph equipment.

After Western Union moved their headquarters to Upper Saddle River, NJ, the family moved to Chester, NY. Although he missed Brooklyn, Steve enjoyed the larger house and yard and small town feel of Chester. He enjoyed taking his family on camping trips and treks back to the city for Mets games.

When Steve and Marie retired, the couple moved to Pinehurst, NC to the Pinehurst Trace retirement community. The move allowed them to be closer to their children and grandchildren living in Raleigh. Steve enjoyed taking the grandchildren to Pullen Park in Raleigh, Camelot Park in Pinehurst, and the pool and shuffleboard courts at Pinehurst Trace. He introduced his grandchildren to his love of movies, enjoying Disney, Abbot and Costello, and superhero movies. Steve and Marie joined the children and grandchildren on trips to North Carolina beaches where the whole family worked together burying children in the sand.

Steve and Marie had a very active social life at the Trace, attending and helping plan various events. Avid Bingo players, Steve went on to volunteer as Bingo caller for the community for many years, livening up the game with music clips and jokes. The games would always begin with him playing the theme from the Lone Ranger. He also loved dining out with friends, catered dinners at the clubhouse, poker nights, and Men’s Breakfast. Men’s Breakfast started out as a monthly gathering, but out of a love of breakfast Steve changed those meetings to weekly. He served on the community Board for many years and began the Neighborhood Watch program for the Trace. One thing neighbors were sure of was how much Steve loved his dogs. They would see him walking his beagles, Eliza and later Lucky around the Trace, giving him the opportunity to stop and talk with neighbors along the way, human and canine alike.

In July of 2018 Marie went in the hospital with lung and heart failure. Soon afterward Steve suffered a stroke, causing paralysis on his left side. His children, Monique and Matthew brought their Dad to Raleigh for long term care. His wife Marie died on November 4, 2018. It was not long after that when Steve’s health deteriorated further, passing away on January 24, 2019. While convalescing in Raleigh, Steve enjoyed visits from his daughter, Monique and her husband, Phil, and their children: Jacob, Emily, Rachel and Carolyn; and from Matt and his wife, Candice, and their children: Madeleine and Kaitlyn; who would often bring their beagle Lucy on visits. Seeing the dog was always a bright spot for Steve.

Steve joins his wife, Marie, and parents Maria and John in Heaven. It was devastating to lose both Steve and Marie, beloved parents and grandparents, so close together after such sad illnesses, but we know they are together and at peace. Dad, we love you, and know how much you loved us. In your illness, your one sorrow was not having more time to love your family. Your love goes beyond your mortal self, your legacy will live on.

The funeral will be held Saturday, February 2, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh.