Stephen Lauria

Stephen Lauria, a lifelong resident of the Bronx, died on February 17, 2021. He was 74.

Mr. Lauria was born on September 23, 1946 in the Bronx to the late Vincent and Sophie (Resko) Lauria. As a young man, Stephen was a member of the Melford Social Club. He served in the U.S. Marines from 1966 to 1968 and was a member of the American Legion. He was also a die hard fan of the New York Mets. For 25 years before his retirement he worked as a brokerage clerk at Salomon Brothers.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Linda (Romano) Lauria; his daughter, Karen Lauria Kosi; his son-in-law, Frank Kosi; his sister, Laura DeGaetano; and by his nieces and nephews, Frank, Laurie, Tina, Alex, Nicole, Christopher, and Leana. He is pre-deceased by his sister, Linda Lauria.

Visiting will be Sunday from 2-7pm at John Dormi & Sons Funeral Home, 1121 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 10am at Holy Rosary Church, 1510 Adee Avenue, Bronx. Interment will follow at Old St. Raymond’s Cemetery, 1201 Balcom Avenue, Bronx.

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11 Comments

  1. Phillis on February 19, 2021 at 2:18 pm

    May he Rest In Peace. A wonderful husband father brother uncle friend

  2. mike macchiorola on February 21, 2021 at 12:19 pm

    RIP Melford Brother!!

  3. Walter Duer on February 21, 2021 at 6:13 pm

    LINDA and KAREN
    First let me extend my heartfelt condolences.
    I spoke to George the morning Steve passed. We hit on some memories since the first grade. At St Rita’s. All the email reflections about Steve are so true. Could not have had a better friend for close to 70 years.
    The Memorial Photos brought back wonderful memories, but here are some other memories about Steve.
    In grammar school and even high school he loved Motown Drifters etc., but he was absolutely crazy about Lloyd Price “Personality” … “Stagger Lee”. Bought every 45 he made. Me and him worked at the rectory and closed the church down at night. Always playing/singing “You’ve got Personality.” Drove me nuts…I liked Otis Redding.
    We worked Bingo games Friday nights…he always made more in tips with his smile.
    Although George, Steve and I and others served hundreds of masses as altar boys, he was selected among all of us altar boys as the “Master Altar Boy” … very big deal and honor.
    Steve’s dad coached us in little league and taught Steve to pitch and throw a nasty curve ball. He would win many games and pitch for his high school team. He was also a baseball nut ever since first grade. Loved the Mets, loved Tom Seaver. Before his strokes, I spoke to him and wanted to send a book on Sandy Koufax someone gave me, he already read it and a couple more. Told him I was at an awards dinner with the Aspromonte brothers (from Brooklyn) at my table. He knew everything about them.
    In the high school church football league in NYC, I was QB and Steve a running back I could always count on him picking up the first down.
    In Texas when men talk about a long-time friend since childhood, they often use the strongest expression of how close they were ….” We Even Stole Horses Together.” Meaning they did all the mischievous, daring, exciting things together (all legal of course, maybe), never judging, just accepting, never a crossed word, unquestionable trust. I think I can say for all of us, that we all and Steve “Even Stole Horses Together.”
    These may not be noteworthy to all, but they are to me, and are memories I will always cherish about a great best friend who made a difference in my life growing up in the South Bronx …. hardly a day would go by when we didn’t hang out together.
    P.S. Regret much I will not make the funeral, but if I could, I would pass these words on to all I could.

    • Linda Lauria on February 21, 2021 at 9:57 pm

      Omg Wally, that was such a touching tribute to Steve and you told me a lot of things I never knew about him. Thank you so much for sharing your memories with me. Steve was a rich man in that he had truly wonderful friends like you.
      Love,
      Linda

  4. Joe Salvati on February 21, 2021 at 10:44 pm

    `Today I said my goodbye to Stevie. It’s been many years since the Melford and Albatross days but Steve stands out as a consistent good guy. I never, ever remember anyone saying anything negative about Steve.
    He was a gentleman, good friend and someone you could always count on. We miss him and pray he is at peace and now with Tommy Dwan enjoying a nip and watching over his family and friends.

  5. joe frizzy lafrazza on February 22, 2021 at 4:38 am

    one of the best. i can still hear his laugh. it was my great honor to know him, “sing” with him and share many drinks with him.

  6. Seb Gagliardo on February 22, 2021 at 8:01 am

    Steve and I went to Saint Rita’s together many years ago. I have many memories of him and I will miss him dearly. Even at an early age he was a good guy. I say this because one day I forgot my lunch. Steve, without hesitation, invited me to have lunch with him at his home. His mother greeted me kindly and I can’t accurately remember what the lunch was but I remembered it was a winter day and I believe it was a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of Campbell’s tomato soup. It was an act of kindness on both their parts that I remember the most. I was raised to never forget the kindness and this one I remember to this day. Steve will remain in my prayers as will his family. Until we meet again my dear friend, rest in peace.

  7. Barbara Holbaugh on February 22, 2021 at 9:39 am

    Dear Linda and family:

    I had the pleasure of knowing Steve for a period of time. He was George’s best man at our wedding in 1969. I watched the video and it brought back memories of how he always seem to be laughing and/or smiling. He had a great sense of humor and for the short time I knew him I remember he had an easy demeanor about him to be around. He was a good friend to George. My son remembers him fondly. The pictures said a thousand words about how much you loved each other.

    He has been and always will be in my prayers as George informed me about his health problems.

    May God comfort you at this time of loss.

    With deep sorrow,

    Barbara and Son George

  8. Anthony Picciano on February 22, 2021 at 11:20 am

    To Steve’s Family,

    It was a pleasure knowing Steve back when we were Melfords together. He always had a welcoming smile and I thought about it yesterday at his wake. In all the photographs that his family put together at the Funeral Home, he had the same smile throughout his years. As others have said, he was indeed one of the good guys.

    May he rest in peace!

    Anthony Picciano

  9. Joe (Giuseppe) Vitiello on February 22, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    For those of us who lived north of 149 street met Steve much later than the St Rita’s group. Nevertheless, we all felt that we knew him just as long. As everyone as mentioned about Steve’s smile and easy going demeanor will always be a lasting impression he left on me. When Steve worked at Salomon Brothers we would quite often meet for lunch and try to solve the world problems. Rest In Peace brother, until we meet again.

  10. Mike Pellettieri on February 23, 2021 at 8:50 am

    Dear Linda,
    May God comfort you. I will miss Steve’s great laugh, hanging with him in The Albatross, downtown dives, Patterson playground, good voice, singing along with him to Drifters, Coasters, big heart like his Mom’s and Dad’s. Rest well Steve, you earned it.

    Mike P

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