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Thank you for your support during this difficult time. Please enhance this tribute to Stephen by adding your memories and photos.
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El Camino Memorial - Pacific Beach
4710 Cass Street
San Diego,
CA
92109
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Memories & Candles
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“Love Forever. You will always be in our Hearts....Your bro Mike & Sandra
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1 of 26 | Posted by: Mike Militello 
- Hiram, GA
“Steve was a good friend for 28 years. He shared some of his Militello vintage wine he made with me. He was very proud of Collete and would pull out...Read More »
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2 of 26 | Posted by: Andy Berry - San Diego, CA
“Stevie.....you were an incredible man, loved by all...whose memory will forever remain in my heart and those whose lives you touched.
I will...Read More »
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3 of 26 | Posted by: Mindy Weiss - Solana Beach, CA
“Steve and I worked together for 15 years, I still cannot believe that I will not be seeing him stepping out of his truck and asking me...what is on...Read More »
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4 of 26 | Posted by: Noe Sanchez - Carlsbad, CA
“Stevie will always be my "Jimmy Buffet" kind of cousin....full of life...laughter...and Love!
Love from Keith & Suzie (Voytko) Bacin
Courtney and...Read More »
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5 of 26 | Posted by: Cousin Suzie - Mansfield, OH
“Steve, you were one of the most giving souls I have ever met. So loving, friendly, kind, and you sure knew how to have a good time! You lived life...Read More »
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6 of 26 | Posted by: Karin Militello - Tucson, AZ
“WHATEVER YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EVANS PROPERTIES STEVE KNEW. YOU WILL BE MISSED.
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7 of 26 | Posted by: DUANE DEMPSEY - San Diego, CA
“Steve, I looked up to you even though I was taller than you, you made me smile and our talks, our joking with each other, our friendship, I will miss...Read More »
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8 of 26 | Posted by: Geraldo Soto - National City, CA
“Steve; went down swinging!
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9 of 26 | Posted by: Tom Garrett Jr. (Tombo) MSgt USMC (Ret) - NC
“Oh I am so sorry to hear of Steve's passing! Please know I will say a prayer that Our heavenly Father has Steve in His hands now!! I know that...Read More »
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10 of 26 | Posted by: Laura Johnson (Garrett) - OH
“To my beloved Steve....who am I going to argue with now over Billy and Gracie? I was lucky enough to work with you for 18 years and will never...Read More »
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11 of 26 | Posted by: Robby Stewart - San Diego, CA
“Sgt.Dyrall & Mrs. Yolanda Phelps & family
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12 of 26 | Posted by: Yolanda Wilkinson-Phelps - GA
“Steve and I have been close friends for thirty years and losing him now is tragic. I have wonderful memories of boat rides on the bay, dinner at his...Read More »
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13 of 26 | Posted by: Janet Dooley - San Diego, CA
“I worked with Steve at Evans Hotels for 22 years, for 9 of those years, we worked closely at the Bahia Hotel. Even afterI went to work at The Lodge...Read More »
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14 of 26 | Posted by: Adela Sanchez - Carlsbad, CA
“I had the opportunity to work with Steve during the opening of The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Steve was a go get 'em kind of guy who always had a...Read More »
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15 of 26 | Posted by: Jim Bennett - Lakeside, CA
“Sorry we couldn't be there. Steve was a special man who had the biggest heart. I have fond memories of him being at my high school graduation and...Read More »
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16 of 26 | Posted by: cathy mahoney - columbus, OH
“Steve always had the love of the job and a dedication and loyalty to the hotels.
I don't believe Steve would be happy doing anything else.
Fair...Read More »
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17 of 26 | Posted by: Rob Adams - El Cajon, CA
“It was a good experience working with Steve over the past six years. He will be missed. Fair winds and following seas, Steve.
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18 of 26 | Posted by: Bruce White - San Diego, CA
“My sincerest condolences to all Steve's Family and to you Collette on the loss of your father.
We will miss you Steve!!!
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19 of 26 | Posted by: Fidel Vazquez - La Jolla , CA
“One of the first guys I meet at Evans...A good man will be missed.
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20 of 26 | Posted by: Marc Quigley
“My sincerest condolences to Collette on the loss of your father. I worked with Steve at Evans Hotels from 1993-2010. Your dad was a true...Read More »
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21 of 26 | Posted by: Larry Ross - Carlsbad, CA
“Steve will remain in our thoughts forever.
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22 of 26 | Posted by: Rocio Chavez - San Diego, CA
“Steve, I never thought in a million years I'd be writing a memory of you. We have know each other over 30 years and there are so many fantastic...Read More »
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23 of 26 | Posted by: Debbie Farley - Poway, CA
“Collette, I share your sorrow at this time, losing a father that adoreded you is not easy but now you have an angel looking after you.
Steve you...Read More »
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24 of 26 | Posted by: Hilda Apodaca - Chula Vista, CA
“Steve will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing & working with him.
Steve was a doer, who how and with what resources to "get...Read More »
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25 of 26 | Posted by: Rick Ball - San Diego, CA
“Steve will be missed by all at the Bahia.
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26 of 26 | Posted by: Grace Evans Cherashore - CA
Stephen Thomas Militello
July 30, 1950 – February 13, 2011
A man who always kept things running
With a daughter in the U.S. Army about to be deployed to Afghanistan to work as a heavy equipment specialist, Steve Militello was as proud as he could be. After his own 40-year career as a Chief Engineer for a large San Diego hotel firm, here was the apple of his eye off to not only serve her country, but work on the kinds of complicated machinery and equipment that had also intrigued him all his life.
As Chief Engineer for two of San Diego’s busiest resorts, the Bahia and Catamaran hotels, Steve was in charge of a myriad of daily engineering and maintenance requirements needed to keep thousands of guests comfortable. It was proof of the enormous trust the Evans family placed in him, and he did the job as only Steve Militello could: he approached every day with an amazing, can-do spirit that literally beamed out to his fellow workers, family and friends.
His unexpected death last Sunday occurred, in a somewhat comforting way, at one of his favorite places: a golf course, doing what he loved best—enjoying a spirited round with friends. Sadly, his heart was not as strong as his hearty bonhomie and love of life.
Steve was born on July 30, 1950, in Mansfield, Ohio. His parents moved the family to San Bernardino, California, in 1959. While working in construction in the early 1980s, Steve caught the eye of William Evans, Sr., and was offered a full-time position on the Evans hotels’ construction crew. He would be an integral part of the hotels’ operations and growth for the next three decades, involved in key construction projects, day-to-day operations of the physical plants, maintenance, renovations, and installations of high-tech equipment requiring his acumen and relentless pursuit of quality. He became Chief Engineer in 1990. His duties extended even beyond dry land: he was responsible for every dry docking of the two Mission Bay-cruising sternwheelers owned by the Evans family.
“He touched every department in our company,” says Grace Evans Cherashore, President and CEO. “He was the individual that kept Evans Hotels ‘together’ and was always there for each and every one of us. We will surely miss our dear friend Steve.”
Family members and friends remember his love of cooking and entertaining in the outdoor “kitchen” of his Pt. Loma home, where he was always remodeling, upgrading … and planning outings on his boat or the next round of golf. “He loved the outdoors and the ways things worked,” says brother Jim Militello. “And as the oldest sibling, he was ‘always right,’ but the truth is, we came to him for advice.”
Steve is survived by his daughter, Colette Militello, presently on active duty. Steve and his former wife Donna Akerstein were true partners in her upbringing. He is also survived by his parents Glenn and Marge Sutter of Sierra Vista, Arizona, and five brothers and sisters: Mike Militello (Hiram, Georgia), Jim Militello (Tucson, Arizona), Teresa Miller (Mequite, Arizona), Glenn Sutter (El Dorado Hills, California), and Julia Prado (Palos Verdes Estates, California).
The viewing will be held at El Camino Memorial - Pacific Beach at 4710 Cass Street, San Diego, CA 92109 on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made in Steve's memory to his daughter Colette to help defray the costs of expenses. A donation basket will be available at the Celebration of Life service at the Bahia Hotel or can be sent to Colette Militello, 2827 Poinsettia Dr, San Diego, CA 92106. Additional inforamation can be found at www.pacificbeachchapel.com. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Bahia Resort Hotel for friends and family on Sunday, February 20, 2011 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
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