Steve was born on October 24,1934 in Nantes, France, the treasured youngest child of Marthe Guillon Baldwin and Joseph C. Baldwin. He was raised primarily in New York City except for the years of World War II when he lived in Washington DC during the time his father was in Congress.
Steve often described a bucolic childhood both in the US and on summer trips to France. As a young man Steve served in the army in Korea. He graduated from Columbia College with a BA in Art History and Architecture. After college Steve worked in banking and later, textbook sales. In 1971 he opened the Jules Verne Restaurant in Greenwich Village. As Owner/chef he operated the Jules Verne with much success for 10 years. It was said that James Beard considered Stevie’s crème brulee to be the best he ever had. In later years he worked as a wine importer and consultant.
In 1988 Steve and his life partner Eric Wolven moved from New York to Otego. He was active in Catskill Area Hospice and Upper Catskill AIDS Council. He wrote a weekly food column in the Daily Star for several years. A few years before his death he compiled the large collection of recipes from the column in a book The Roots of All Pleasures, still available on Amazon. In 1992 he joined the staff of the Bassett Dialysis Unit as a Social Work Assistant, the job he always said he loved the most.
Steve was predeceased by his beloved life partner, Eric in 2005 as well as his beloved siblings Joseph C Baldwin, Fanny Adams, and Jeanne Buell, who sadly passed as a young adult. He is survived by numerous loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews as well as many loving friends. In particular, Steve leaves behind Kenneth Price, whom he and Eric considered their son.
Steve had a gift for friendship, having numerous lifelong friends as well as friendships over many decades. He was an interested listener, a good storyteller, an excellent cook, an avid connoisseur of wine, a passionate as well as knowledgeable opera enthusiast and he was a great gardener.
Steve will be deeply missed by the loved ones he leaves behind.
Family and friends will welcome Steve’s friends from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, July 25, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St, Oneonta. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Wednesday, July 26, at St Mary’s RC Church, 39 Walnut St, Oneonta.
Steves ashes will be interred in the Otego Evergreen Cemetery, next to Eric, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made to Helios Care.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
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