I cannot thank you enough Steve for helping my daughter. I know the help came from the bottom of your heart and I'll never forget it. We miss you!

My dear Steve,
I know you're in a place that you can hear me. I will miss you. I remember when I first saw you, I thought you were the janitor. I can still hear you laughing when I told you that. Steve, I can still hear you laughing. God bless you,
KaCee

I miss Steve alot.Shock,disbelief & sorrow is how I feel.We had just spoke day before & he was telling me now that he's retired his plan was to come up here to spend time with Grandkids. Steve always had a plan.I am forever Grateful for everything he's done for me &kids.His positive influence,sense of humor,all his advice,his awesome cooking, knowledge and willingness to help in any way possible will be greatly missed.He had his way about him like no one I have ever met.The deepest respect for such a giving man and a Great Grandpa Dude,who always listened intently & made time even when I'd call at odd times especially during one of his many meeting, he'd always get right back to me. Breanna & Steven are so very fortunate to have had him as their grandpa, they knew your expectations w/ regards to education & wanted to make you proud. I will continue to do my best by them & will forever hold our last3 conversations in memory.  RIP

No one has done more for my son and my family than Steve Gingras. I don't think I could ever thank him enough. I hoped he could be at my son graduation... We will miss you, Mr. Gingras!

Steve did so much for my children.  We never doubted that he put the welfare of the kids first. He was a wonderful man, and cared very much about the special needs children of the district.  As a parent, I was so very fortunate to have him responsible for getting the services my kids needed.

The world was very much a better place for him being in it.

My sincere condolences to Steve's family.

I just received an email from a friend about Steve's passing...too, too early~
I went to Grammar School and High School in Alameda with Steve. Our class, the Class of '69, never did the 'expected' so we didn't have our 40th Reunion. It's been that long, and more, since I saw Steve but he's remembered as VERY smart, somewhat quiet, and usually involved in many school goings-on. It's obvious that he is beloved by many and had an amazing career that touched so many and in so many powerful ways. One can't ask for anything more than a well-lived life, and your messages convey that he accomplished that and more. His family can be proud knowing he's leaving a legacy of love in so many lives

It is with great sorrow that Steve is no longer with us. He was a friend, co-worker and someone who always listen whenever you have a problem. He was indeed a great, kind, wonderful and  genuine supervisor/director. He  always listen and offer solution whenever you have a problem. He  always  show compassionate towards others and cared deeply for all he met. My prayers goes to his family, friends and all those he touched with his kind words.

I so very sorry Steve that you are gone.  You were always so gracious to me and patient in my questions regarding students or policy.  I will remember your family in my prayers.  You are and will be missed because you touched so many lives and made all of them better through your dedication and caring.  Thank you.

I'm so sorry to hear of Steve's passing.  During his years in the District Steve gave away pieces of his huge heart to the families and children with whom he interacted.  He was a confidant to all.  Prayers to the Gingras family and all those touched by this compassionate man.

I am deeply sorry to hear of Steve's passing.  Steve was wonderful to work with in the Special Ed. department. He treated everyone with respect, kindness, and good humor. He listened to parents, showed genuine caring for the children, and problem-solved until we had workable solutions. Thank you,Steve, for all you did for so many.

Steve lived a life that had great meaning.  We hope that his family takes comfort in knowing that he cared for so many.

Steve,
Sorry to hear about your passing from your son Joseph on my answering machine this early morning. It came as a shock to me and we just saw each other about a month ago at my shop chatting about old things. You will always be remembered and your love and affection to your sons and grand kids. You're always there for them and may you rest in peace. It was a pleasure knowing you since your kids was small in the late 70's..
Fred Young, Jr., Young's Automotive Service, Mtn View, Ca.

Steve, I will miss seeing and talking to you in the Landels Parking Lot.  You always had a great smile for me and a big hello... you were fun and never too busy to talk.

I am so sorry for your loss Gingras family. My heart is deeply sadden.

Steve you were my mentor and friend consistently for 11 years with no strings attached.  You were a household name among my kids.  Over the years your advise and sincere concern rang true.  Your solid kindness left a lasting imprint on my life.  There are no words to express my grief.  May your kind hearted soul rest in peace and may your legacy of kindness live long.  My loss is God's gain.

Dear Steven,   You were part of my family.  I will always remember you.... we had fun family gatherings Marianita's and pozole.....   oh... fabulous!   She was an expert cook!  I will miss the birthday parties of the last few years.   They were fun.... and the great BBQing that you did!  Wow!  You loved gourmet recipes... and when you cooked....  no one could do it better.   Your cooking was fabulous!!!!!! I saw you grow up.   Your mother was soooooo proud of you.  I remember the day that I came to your place and came in... and....  what a stack of psych books!  I was so impressed!   Steven... I will pray for you at Mass.   I will see you again some day.  May God bless you forever and keep you near Him.....  God bless your boys....Robert, Joseph and John.    
Much love,   cousin Lala

Steve believed in our kids and did his very best to get them what they needed. During one IEP meeting years ago, he asked my son, who was eight at the time, to step outside with him and have a talk. Steve spoke with him, man to man, and asked him what he thought he needed. My son told him what he thought, Steve listened, and they shook hands and came back to the IEP meeting. It was a moment that none of us forgot and my son came away from it feeling his opinions mattered. A special friendship was created that day. Below is a poem that my son gave to Steve for his retirement, we wanted to share it with all of you because he has done so much for us. We will always remember Steve as someone who saw our kids for what they could do, not what they couldn’t.

Steve,
I’d like to thank you,
For everything you have done for me,
For the services you have given me,
To help me improve my social skills and my motor skills,
For the support you have always given me throughout these years,
Knowing inside that I am brilliant, but I need help to unlock my full potential, 
So, for everything you have done for me,
Thank you. 
Love,
J.

We worked together for many years, Steve and I;  I am deeply saddened by his death, especially so soon upon retiring.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time of great loss.

I would like to send my deepest sympathy to the Gingras family. Steve stepped into my oldest daughter's life at a time when someone with his innate ability to identify all of the "silent" issues along with the other educational needs couldn't have come at a better time. With Steve's support, my daughter was able to get well on her way to be the best person that she could be!  I have no words to express how meaningful & special that your knowledge and incredible sense of humor bolstered our family.  Thank you so very much for all that you did for all the "kiddo's" through the years! You will be sorely missed!

To my Steven, my Jerry Bear. I will miss you so much and I'm saddened over your sudden death. I will cherish all the memories we shared and our life together. I was very happy to be your wife.  My children and our granddaughters will keep you in their hearts and thoughts always.  They are thankful you took care of them as your step-children.

I will see you one day in heaven, where we will be together again.

Fly with the Angels my dear.

You are Forever in our hearts.

Love, Sonya, your "Star Sparkle" and your "Sugar Magnolia".

It is especially painful to lose someone who does so much for others.  Steve was one of those people.  Even though my son was probably a "borderline" case, Steve saw that he could benefit from special ed services, made sure he got them, and it has a huge difference.  People who knew my son in kindergarten are amazed at how we looks now as a confident, well-behaved 6th grader, and Steve deserves a lot of the credit for making sure my son got what he needed to thrive.  Steve's caring for others will live on in the kids he has helped.

Bless you, Steve, for all the compassion and guidance you provided to so many families, including ours.  You are remembered with great fondness and appreciation.

We will never forget how much you supported our daughter and our family.
We would like to say Thank you from bottom of our hearts.

I will miss you greatly, my dear Steven, my  Jerry Bear.  I will always treasure our lives together.  I was so proud to be your wife.  I will be with you some day in heaven.  My children are saddened and will miss you too.   They will forever remember you as their step-father.  They are thankful you took care of them.  Forever in our hearts.  Your loving wife, Sonya Gingras.

Steve,
Steve will be missed.   I always enjoyed sitting across the table from him at IEP's. His good humor and caring always made the meetings a pleasure.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.   Sincerely Tammy Zigler  (Palo Alto)

I worked with Steve through the SELPA and transportation JPA. While his commitment to kids was clear, my favorite thing about him was his irreverence in our numerous and lengthy meetings. I always ended up laughing in his presence.

I am so sad to hear of Steve's passing. I worked with Steve when I was the director of an NPA that contracted with MVWSD and many years ago personally for my own son. I have so many fond memories standing outside the district office with Steve chatting after I.E.P. meetings. We had such great visits and in every conversation we ever shared there was always laughter, a mutual respect, and a lot of thinking outside the box as to what we could do to help a particular child. He cared so much about the kids, and he was always open to finding the best way to help "the kiddos." The kids came first to Steve. It was so funny, after hearing me refer to a student as a kiddo he then began calling the students "kiddos" too. It may seem silly but it's a bunch of little things like that, that add up to so many great memories for me. Every time I hear someone refer to a student as a "kiddo" I will think of Steve and our little word we shared. Steve you once told me something I will never forget, you referred to me as having  integrity. That statement is something I will never forget because it came from you. You had the utmost integrity and for you to have felt that I did too in our work together, was extremely meaningful to me. I have so many wonderful memories of the time I had the pleasure of knowing you. If I had a dollar for every time you raised your eyebrow to me, as if to say, "What's going on now" I would probably be a rich woman. But it was that eyebrow raising and the fact that I knew you would always listen (eyebrow raised or not) that made knowing you so great. You made such a wonderful impact on my life, my son's life and so many young student's lives. Last time I saw you we were going to get together for lunch. I hope to one day still do that, when we meet again. You were one of the good guys Steve, you will be missed tremendously. I feel so blessed to be able to say that you were my friend. Natalie Sare

First of all to his family so sorry for your loss, he worked with all 3 of my kids through the years and he was always so kind and caring and always was there for our kids , what a great man he was , now god has another Angel with him .....

Steve was always like a father to me! Always telling me what i need to change to be apart i was a little out of control a reble he kept me stable. I dont know what to do without him. I love you

I wish that everyone could have someone like Steve Gingras touch their life. He was genuine and the best advocate a family could hope to have. I will cherish our chats over cheesecake. Steve often said to me "The fun never stops." So Steve, I hope, wherever your spirit resides now that the fun never stops.

We have lost a friend. Steve was a gentleman. He was caring, compassionate and an advocate of those in need. Our community will miss him dearly.

The world has lost a great human being. Steve taught us that whatever life has to offer us, we can always be "hunky dory"! Thank you, Steve.

We are so sorry for your loss, you have our deepest sympathy.

Steve will be missed by many. He always had the time to listen and share any advice he had. Thank you for all the great advice you shared with me! Your cheesecakes were ALWAYS the BEST! Until we meet again Buddy !

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Gingras family through this very difficult time.  Rest in Peace Steve.  Thank you for some great memories I will never ever forget!

Steve was simply the most dedicated and empathetic school psychologist and Special Education Director, I have had the pleasure to work with. I am saddened he will not enjoy travel, family time, and all the other relaxing retirement activities. Please know that I will always remember Steve as an outstanding mentor. He has supported my students for the past nine years and the families are also saddened we have lost Steve. He was really special to many of us!

I'm very sorry to hear about Steve.  Steve worked with my sons at the school district and I personally was a co-worker at the district office.  I'm thinking of the family and wish I was in California for the service.  You are in my prayers.  Steve was a great guy.

I had the privilege of working with Steve through the MVWSD. Steve was sensitive and caring in dealing with me and my son's educational needs. He was a wonderful person who embraced the lives of a lot of children in need. He will be greatly missed. You have my deepest sympathy.

OBITUARY

Steven Gingras

September 14, 1951 – October 24, 2011

Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Memorial Service