In Memory Of
Steven James Firszt
1957
2022
Steven James Firszt
May 12, 1957 — October 1, 2022
Steven James Firszt – fell asleep in death on October 1, 2022
Steven was born on May 12, 1957 on the North Side of Chicago to his parents, Stanley and Alice Firszt, the youngest of 5 children.
Steven graduated from Chappell Public School in Chicago on June 23, 1971. He went to work at a very young age. He received his GED, High School Diploma in 1975. Steve worked for Corporate Express, an extension of Staples as a truck driver for 25 years. After the Company was taken over by Staples, Steve worked with the Illinois School Bus Company for 1 year, 2014 – 2015.
Steve was not only musically inclined but good at singing. He would sing and perform in bands for weddings, anniversaries and other gatherings. His favorite singer was Neil Diamond and Steve could sing just like him. Steve was also a gifted photographer.
Steve's mother Alice set a great example for her five children in bringing them up as Jehovah's Witnesses. It was difficult for her but she knew that they all had to make the truth their own. Steve was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1982 at a Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses at Hawthorn Race Track in Chicago. Steve was a humble man, very much loved by friends in the congregation, both in Chicago and Appleton.
Steve and Gwen met at a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Chicago. They married two years later on August 8, 1998. They moved from the North Side of Chicago to the South Side in 2001 and then to Appleton, Wisconsin in June of 2016.
Steve leaves behind his loving wife Gwen, his four surviving children from a previous marriage: Michael (Amber) Firszt, Paul Firszt, Ann Marie Dexter and Brittene (Musa) Ross. He is further survived by Gwen's four children from a previous marriage: Dwight, Deserine, Cheryl and Karen. Other survivors include his brother Robert Firszt, two sisters: Jeane Marie (Robert) Mitchell, Lois Ann (Cedric) Collins, and three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Steven is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Elizabeth Firszt, an older brother Raymond Alan Firszt, and Gwen's son Radcliff.
Steve was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in late 2014. While his memory was fading away, he never failed to make mention of his loving God Jehovah and cherished the relationship he had with him.
We are very grateful to the staff at Garden View Assisted Living who had a huge share in the care of Steve. And during the final weeks of his life, we truly benefited from the compassionate care of Asera Care Hospice. Most of all we want to thank the Central Appleton Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses who stood by us in many ways from the day we moved to Appleton.
One of Steve's favorite scriptures centered on a promise made by Jesus that says at John 5:28 & 29: "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". He knew that he and all of those in the grave will come out eventually to live in a peaceful new world, where sickness, pain and even death are no more – Revelation 21:3 & 4.
There will be a Memorial Visitation for Steve at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (2909 N. Roemer Road. Appleton, WI) on Saturday, October 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service to follow. Those who wish to attend via Zoom Conferencing can do so by using the following information.
Zoom ID: 827 5009 6718
Passcode: 381321
Steven was born on May 12, 1957 on the North Side of Chicago to his parents, Stanley and Alice Firszt, the youngest of 5 children.
Steven graduated from Chappell Public School in Chicago on June 23, 1971. He went to work at a very young age. He received his GED, High School Diploma in 1975. Steve worked for Corporate Express, an extension of Staples as a truck driver for 25 years. After the Company was taken over by Staples, Steve worked with the Illinois School Bus Company for 1 year, 2014 – 2015.
Steve was not only musically inclined but good at singing. He would sing and perform in bands for weddings, anniversaries and other gatherings. His favorite singer was Neil Diamond and Steve could sing just like him. Steve was also a gifted photographer.
Steve's mother Alice set a great example for her five children in bringing them up as Jehovah's Witnesses. It was difficult for her but she knew that they all had to make the truth their own. Steve was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1982 at a Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses at Hawthorn Race Track in Chicago. Steve was a humble man, very much loved by friends in the congregation, both in Chicago and Appleton.
Steve and Gwen met at a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Chicago. They married two years later on August 8, 1998. They moved from the North Side of Chicago to the South Side in 2001 and then to Appleton, Wisconsin in June of 2016.
Steve leaves behind his loving wife Gwen, his four surviving children from a previous marriage: Michael (Amber) Firszt, Paul Firszt, Ann Marie Dexter and Brittene (Musa) Ross. He is further survived by Gwen's four children from a previous marriage: Dwight, Deserine, Cheryl and Karen. Other survivors include his brother Robert Firszt, two sisters: Jeane Marie (Robert) Mitchell, Lois Ann (Cedric) Collins, and three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Steven is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Elizabeth Firszt, an older brother Raymond Alan Firszt, and Gwen's son Radcliff.
Steve was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in late 2014. While his memory was fading away, he never failed to make mention of his loving God Jehovah and cherished the relationship he had with him.
We are very grateful to the staff at Garden View Assisted Living who had a huge share in the care of Steve. And during the final weeks of his life, we truly benefited from the compassionate care of Asera Care Hospice. Most of all we want to thank the Central Appleton Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses who stood by us in many ways from the day we moved to Appleton.
One of Steve's favorite scriptures centered on a promise made by Jesus that says at John 5:28 & 29: "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out". He knew that he and all of those in the grave will come out eventually to live in a peaceful new world, where sickness, pain and even death are no more – Revelation 21:3 & 4.
There will be a Memorial Visitation for Steve at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (2909 N. Roemer Road. Appleton, WI) on Saturday, October 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service to follow. Those who wish to attend via Zoom Conferencing can do so by using the following information.
Zoom ID: 827 5009 6718
Passcode: 381321
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Steven James Firszt, please visit our flower store.
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