Stephen W. Lenhardt, Jr., 52, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 12 after a truly courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Lynne and their three children, Samantha 27, Stephanie 24 and Zack 21.
Steve grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and moved to Quincy, MA during high school. He received his B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from UMass/Amherst in 1986 and it was there that he met the love of his life, Lynne. After careers in the restaurant business and as account executive in direct marketing, Steve obtained his Master Plumbers license. He started his own business, Lenhardt Plumbing and Heating, after completing the work on his own house that was being built in Duxbury 22 years ago.
Steve enjoyed what he did for a living as it enabled him to make so many cherished friendships throughout this beautiful community. He did terrific work, was a conscientious and hard worker but it was his quiet sense of humor that was his hallmark. Unfailingly polite, Steve was a truly giving person who loved to help people. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and loved to entertain; he often made appetizers from his 3 Rivers cookbook and the brave souls in this town that have suffered through his famous Pittsburgh Punch are true heroes!
Steve had a real passion for life and packed a lot into his 52 short years. He immersed himself in this town with volunteer work, coaching youth sports, playing golf with his beloved North Hill Gang, as a member of the DHS Football chain gang and was a regular at Sunday morning "old man" basketball. He was also an adventurous and expert downhill skier, water skier, dirt bike rider and played in a weekly Poker game and Cribbage league at the Legion.
Steve was a wonderful husband and father, he fully supported his children and enjoyed watching them grow; rarely missing a game or event that they were involved in. Steve also felt so blessed to be able to see and feel the love of his amazing network of friends as they rallied around to support him. Their unwavering support has sustained Steve and his family throughout his long illness and the Lenhardt Family continues to be in awe of the outpouring of love for Steve.
People have often remarked that Steve looked like the actor Jimmy Stewart and in fact, one of his favorite movies was 'Its a Wonderful Life'. In Steves case, life did imitate art. Raise your glass of Pittsburgh Punch and drink a toast: To Steve Lenhardt, "the richest man in town".
A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 18th at noon at Holy Family Church with a celebration to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lenhardt Family Fund, Eastern Bank.