Obituary
Steven will be missed by many including his sister Roberta Gassman and her husband Lester Pines of Madison, Wisconsin, as well as their daughters Anna Gassman-Pines and her husband David Halpern of Durham, NC, and their children Izzy and Theo; and Jenny Gassman-Pines and her husband Ben Weeks of Minneapolis, and their daughter Betty; and his brother Michael Gassman and his wife Lani May-Gassman of Evanston, IL, as well as the memory of their late son Max, who stays with all of them always.
Steven, though always single, was surrounded by literally hundreds of dear friends across the country – some even since kindergarten, many from Oakton College where he was editor of the school newspaper – and especially dear friend and fellow sports collector and promoter Mitch Dubinsky with whom he worked through their venture Autograph 1 for decades. The family thanks these many friends who stood by him always, especially during his time of illness. Steven also worked for years in security.
Donations in Steven’s memory, given his love for sports as well as Chicago Bears football legend Walter Payton, who also passed away too young, may be made to the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, www.payton34.com or 1905 Marketview Drive, #234, Yorkville, IL 60560; or Journeycare Hospice, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010, where Steven received excellent hospice services for which his family is eternally grateful, or online at www.journeycare.org/donate.
Guests are encouraged to wear, if they choose, touches of green in solidarity with those fighting liver disease and/or purple, standing with those battling pancreatic cancer. He will be missed by many. May his memory be a blessing.
Chapel service, Friday 12:15 PM CST at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights Interment Shalom Memorial Park. For information, including a link to view the service, shiva or to leave condolences: Shalom Memorial Funeral, www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520.
Service Information
Service : Friday, February 23rd at 12:15 pm
Service Location: Shalom Chapel Service -Shalom Memorial Funeral Home
Interment:
Shalom Memorial Park
1700 W. Rand Road
Arlington Heights
Guest Book & Memories
Share your memories and photographs below.
February 24th, 2024
Mike, Roberta and family. My heartfelt condolences . What a wonderful send off as Steven was memorialized and laid to rest.
I’m sorry I couldn’t physically be there but technologically allowed me to participate via livestream.
Steven (Aka Shim Shon) and I went to Hebrew school together and was of course part of the landscape in our part of Skokie.
We kept in touch over the years and Steven always had the same sweet personality.
Rest well my friend. You are gone to soon!!
Rick Counselbaum, Indian Rocks Beach Florida
~Rick Counselbaum
~Hebrew school and neighborhood friend, Indian Rocks Beach , Florida
February 23rd, 2024
Steve and I never met in person and were online friends, but I still consider him a real friend. We had a lot in common and I really enjoyed talking to him. I’ll miss him very much. My condolences to his family and friends. 💔
~Elizabeth Taylor
~Friend, Edison, NJ
February 23rd, 2024
I have so many fond memories of our family vacations, when my 4 siblings and I were growing up in Silver Spring, MD, and when we would travel by car to Chicago to visit all our cousins, aunts and uncles who lived there. That was a highlight of my childhood. Cute red-headed Steven was always fun to be with.
Over the years and as an adult, I was impressed with how Steven found his unique way in life and was so passionate and knowledgeable about sports memorabilia.
I was so sorry to hear of his recent major health challenges and to hear of his passing. David, I and our family here in Israel share profoundly in the loss of Steven to Roberta, Lester and family and to Michael and Lani, and to all his many and dear friends. May his memory be a blessing to us all.
~Debbie Block Temin
~first cousin, Haifa, Israel
February 23rd, 2024
Memory of Steven through the stories Roberta has told.
~B0b & JoAnn Skloot
~Friend of family, Madison Wi.
February 23rd, 2024
I’ve know steve for a very long time we had a mutual friend that always filled us in about each other. Loved his sports collection business. He was a good guy and will be missed. May his memory be for a blessing.
~Ron Schoeneman
~Friend, Northbrook Il
February 22nd, 2024
I met Steve when I was working in Northfield labs in Mount prospect. And then we stayed friends for many years. Great guy great sense of humor sad that he’s gone. My deepest condolences to his family.
Cherish his memory!
~Ron Schur
~Friend, Chicago
February 22nd, 2024
Though it has been years since I have seen Steven, I have fond memories of our vacations to Ocean City and family visits to Chicago. I remember his dog from when I was about 8 or 9 years old. He always nipped my feet! Being that I was the youngest of all the cousins, Steven always went out of his way to include me, especially when I looked or felt sad b/c all of our cousins were much older than me. He always looked out for me and made me laugh. May his memory be a blessing. Sending much love and hugs to Michael, Roberta, Lani and Lester and their children and grandchildren. xoox. Cousin Marci
~Marci Sherman
~Cousin, San Francisco, CA
February 22nd, 2024
Steve and I were good friends for decades. Back in the 80’s I would go to his apartment in Skokie and we would enjoy ribs from the restaurant I worked. He would always tease me about the guys I dated…I will tease him back, and tell him to put a ring on my finger. I will miss going to baseball games and concerts with him.
~Robin McNaughton
~Friend from Oakton, Algonquin, IL
February 22nd, 2024
Steve and I waiting outside of the parking lot fence at Wrigley, with our sharpies, hoping to get players autographs. Then getting ice cream.
~Kimberly Levenburg
~Friend, Algonquin, IL
Guest Book and Memories
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