Stephen M. Lavine, 68, of Baldwinsville passed away Sunday, May 19, 2024 surrounded by family and friends, listening to music and reminiscing stories together.

He was born in Syracuse NY, son of the late Morton Lavine and Rita "Vita" (Sciacca) Lavine. Stephen graduated from Liverpool High School class of 1973. He served in the US Army with close classmates from high school. He received his associate's degree from Onondaga Community College. He was employed by Time Warner Cable and Unifirst.

Stephen was larger than life and had a loud boisterous laugh that would make everyone laugh with him. He was known for years as "Wildman" for many reasons to family and friends. He had a love for all music beyond the normal going to every Jazz and music festival he could, passing his love of music down to his children and grandchildren. He loved to quiz them on the artists and the song. He had a great sense of adventure, often taking them out and seeing which way the wind blew for the way to go, making it even more exciting to go with him.

He loved hunting with his best buddy Marty and nephew Ryan and fishing with anyone who had time to hop on his boat with him. He took on the job proudly of posting everyone's birthday on the "Growing up in Liverpool"  Facebook page and would stay up until midnight just to do it. Stephen had a love for his big family, all his cousins and friends were his whole life.

He will live on with a legacy at the Veterans Memorial Hospital with a policy and procedure placed in his name so that no other Vet would succumb to not being properly ventilated in a timely manner.

Stephen had a zest for life, he fought his illness hard, but before he left us, he gave us a message to tell …he loved us all.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son Stephen Michael Lavine (the second); his brother Mark Lavine; and his beloved Lucy dog.

Surviving are his daughter, Tamera (Fred Sell) Lavine and son Robert (Lisa) Wickline; life partner, Candie Fenner; two sisters Rosie (Kevin) Heneka and Linda (Lavine) Pack; grandchildren, Caleb, Jacob and Aiden Heller and Jennifer, Robert, Noah, and Madeline Wickline; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, May 28th from 4-7 p.m. at the Falardeau Funeral Home, 93 Downer St, Baldwinsville NY.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 29th at 12 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Disabled Americans Veterans at https://help.dav.org/.