Barry Clifford Steff

Barry was married for 48 years to his soul mate Maureen Sykes Steff. With his wife, he is survived by their son and daughter-in-law, Adam and Karen Steff; granddaughters Kaitlynn and Kassidy Steff of Las Vegas, NV; also by their son and daughter-in-law, Corey and Samantha Steff of Apopka, FL. He is also survived by nieces Vicky Yandle of Columbia, SC; Heather Bell of St. Matthews, SC; Kathleen Prunty of Sound Beach, NY; and Colleen Van Horne of Miller Place, NY.

He was born to Augusta Hesser and Frederick Steff on April 26, 1944 in Queens, NY. Barry was the youngest sibling to brothers Frederick Steff, Alfred Steff and sister Doreen Fickenwirth.

Barry served 23 years in the US Navy aboard the USS Vega AF59, USS Simon Bolivar SSBN641, USS Lewis and Clark SSBN644, USS Von Steuben SSBN632 and three tours aboard the USS Henry L Stimson SSBN655. He was awarded two Navy Achievement Medals, ComsubGroup 6 Commendation, twenty-one SSBN Deterrent Patrols, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, five Good Conduct Awards, Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Supply Excellence Awards, two National Defense Service Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Enlisted Submarine Breast Insignia. He was stationed out of Charleston, SC Naval Station at Sub Group 6 for most of his career. Barry retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer at RTC Orlando where he served as a Company Commander Training Instructor.

Barry’s children and grandchildren were the joy of his life. He served as a Webelos leader for the Boy Scouts of America in Ladson, SC and enjoyed many years of woodworking. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with a minor in Marketing from Columbia College. He had a second career of 18 years with the Seminole County Public Schools in Seminole County, FL as a high school Food Service Manager.

A celebration of Barry’s life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 5th, 2019 within the Palm Eastern Mortuary at 7600 South Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV.

Patriotic Flag pins in honor of Barry will be provided at the services and is requested by the family to be worn. He will be laid to rest at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, NV.

Read at Service by Granddaughter Kaitlynn Steff

Look for Me in Rainbows

Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye;

Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.

In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,

Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Time for me to leave you, I won't say goodbye;

Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.

In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,

Just look for me and love me, and I'll be close to you.

It won't be forever, the day will come and then

My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.

Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye;

Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.

Every waking moment, and all your whole life through

Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Just wish me to be near you,

And I’ll be there with you.

-by Vicky Brown

If I Should Die

If I should die before the rest of you,

Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone.

Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a Sunday voice,

But be the usual selves that I have known.

Weep if you must,

Parting is hell.

But life goes on,

So sing as well.

-by Joyce Grenfell, actress and writer (1910 -1979)

Feel No Guilt in Laughter

Feel no guilt in laughter, he'd know how much you care.

Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share.

You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to.

He'd hope that you could carry on the way you always do.

So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared,

The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.

Let memories surround you, a word someone may say

Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day,

That brings him back as clearly as though he were still here,

And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.

For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart

And he will live forever locked safely within your heart.

Silent Tear

Each night we shed a silent tear,

As we speak to you in prayer.

To let you know we love you,

And just how much we care.

Take our million teardrops,

Wrap them up in love,

Then ask the wind to carry them,

To you in heaven above.

-Unknown

When I Must Leave

When I must leave you for a while

Please do not grieve and shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you through the years

But start out bravely with a gallant smile

And for my sake and in my name

Live on and do all the things the same

Feed not your loneliness on empty days

But fill each working hour in useful ways

Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer

And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near

And never, never be afraid to die

For I am waiting for you in the sky.

-Anonymous