Stephen Bourne Hussey

Stephen "Steve" Bourne Hussey, age 54, died Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at his home in Okemos, Michigan, where he has resided for the past ten years. Steve was born in Evanston, Illinois, on May 12, 1967, to Jillian and John Hussey.

Steve will be greatly missed by so many family and friends! He is survived by his mother, Jillian Griffiths Hussey, son, Benjamin Hussey, daughter, Anja Hussey, brother, Matthew Hussey, sister, Katherine (Todd) Young, Step-Mother, Marlene Hussey; Step-Sister, Tara (Ryan) Foust; Step-Sister, Kelly Hausz, his former wife Gisela Hussey, many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and his loyal and loving furry companions, Charlie and Willow.

Steve loved playing and watching sports, including basketball, football, ice hockey, and he most especially enjoyed watching his children play soccer, and was one of their soccer coaches at one time. He also loved gardening, most especially with his daughter Anja, hiking, running, canoeing, traveling, playing chess, investing (including in lottery tickets), and reading many kinds of books, with Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit as two of his favorites. He even had the opportunity to climb Mt. Ngharahoe in New Zealand, which was the mountain portrayed in the Lord of the Rings as Mt. Doom. He described it as “the most challenging and rewarding thing he had ever done”, and called his mother from the top to tell her this! He also loved to make up and tell creative adventure stories about Tony the Turkey and share them regularly with his children. Steve developed a relationship with Jesus in his later adult years that was very important to him, and we hope that is bringing him peace now.

He had a wonderful sense of humor and had a contagious laugh. When he was a boy and a teenager, he liked to play many practical jokes on his friends and family – which was not always appreciated! He loved bologna and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches into adulthood, and learned to love to cook, especially with his children.

Steve has always had a love for all kinds of animals and a very big heart for all animals and humans. He was so easily empathetic with others. When fishing with his family as a boy, he often felt sorry for the fish and would “pet” them after they were caught, wanting to throw them back in. He grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990, and then attending veterinary school at the UW in Madison as well, graduating in 1995. He worked in the Veterinary profession for 25 years, in various places in Wisconsin, Fort Collins, CO, and then in Michigan.

Most of all, and above everything else in his entire life, he was the most devoted and loving dad, with his son Ben and his daughter Anja being his pride and joy. He was – and his spirit will continue to be – their biggest fan in all walks of life. He loved them with his whole heart. Steve was a wonderful and generous human being and he will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace and love Steve.

The family will greet guests from 4:00 PM until time of service at 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Practical Action (practicalaction.org) in Steve’s honor. This organization was chosen by Steve's children. Practical Action is an innovative international development organization putting small solutions into action to support communities to defy the odds of climate change even in the toughest conditions.

Teach us to delight in simple things,

And mirth that has no bitter springs;

Forgiveness free of evil done,

And love to all men 'neath the sun.

Rudyard Kipling