Obituary of Stephen Mintsiveris

Stephen James Mintsiveris Stephen James Mintsiveris, age 77, of Erie, was called home to be with the Lord after an extended illness on August 17, 2010, at the 'Avenue of Honor' Hospice unit at the Erie VA Medical Center. He was born May 13, 1933 in Erie, son of the late James V. and Helen Stathis Mintsiveris. He married his loving wife of 47 years, the former Beverly Carole Swanson of Hawarden, Iowa on July 6, 1963. Steve graduated from Academy High School in 1951, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. After serving two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War ('53-'54), he received his teaching degree from Edinboro State Teachers College in 1959 and his masters' degree from San Fernando Valley State College in Los Angeles in 1967. While in California, Steve taught at San Fernando Valley Junior High School and Hollywood High School. Returning to Erie in 1968 with his young family, Steve served 23 years as a counselor at the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, where he aided countless clients along the road to employment and careers. He retired in 1991. He touched the lives of many young men through his coaching many years of MYAA baseball. Serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the profound joy of his life, and he was a great encouragement and inspiration to many. Steve was a long-time member of Grace Baptist Church in Erie, which he considered his home away from home. Steve's Greek heritage and his family were also sources of great pride and enjoyment. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Dana Mintsiveris and his wife Jill of Erie; his daughter, Melanie Martin and her husband Ed of Lynchburg, Virginia; two brothers and a sister: William (Fay) Mintsiveris, Nick (Sue) Mintsiveris, and Anne (Tim) Brydon; as well as three grandchildren: Naomi, Sophia, and Luke, with whom he loved to share his stories and wisdom. The family wishes to thank the caregivers at the PA Soldiers and Sailors Home and the 'Avenue of Honor' Hospice at the VA Medical Center. Steve will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Philippians 1:21: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain". Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend the funeral service at Grace Church on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. conducted by the Rev. Michael Watson. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Church, 7300 Grubb Road, McKean, Pa. 16426. Enhance your memorial with a slideshow and video