Stephen James Mathews AIA, aged 72, passed on July 4, 2023 with his wife Tina by his side.
Stephen was born on July 12, 1950 in Glendale, California to James and Dorothy Mathews. He was the eldest of their three children followed by Marie (Baermann) in 1953 and Laura (Talmage) in 1958.
He spent his childhood in Bakersfield, California and Farmington, New Mexico. He graduated from Garces High School in 1969 where he made many life-long friends. Stephen then completed his education at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, majoring in Architecture in 1976.
Stephen was known to many as “Big Steve” not only for his imposing stature but also because of his larger than life personality. He was a raconteur, a humorist and a moral and ethical human being. He loved his stepsons Joey and Frank and especially loved becoming a Grandpa to Frank’s (Gabriela) daughter Izabella. He was also the quintessential Uncle to his nephews and nieces.
Stephen worked many years for the firm DMJM working on the Metrorail system in Los Angeles then he switched coasts moving to Long Island, New York to work for East Side Access in New York City working on the Third Level Subway for the City.
He is survived by his loving wife, Tina, his stepsons Joey and Frank, Frank’s wife Gabriela and their daughter Izabella, His sister Laura and her husband Scott Talmage, his nephews Conrad Baermann and James Talmage, and his lovely nieces, Victoria Weeks, Katie Baermann and Anna Talmage, his grandniece, Aria Baermann and we cannot forget, his beloved dog Piper.
Stephen was predeceased by parents Jim and Dorothy, his sister Marie and her husband Dale Baermann and his “Uber Dog” Amber.
Family and friends are invited to funeral services to be held on at 12:00 Noon Thursday July 20, 2023 in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura, California.