CENTER SANDWICH ---- Craftsman, poet, husband and father, Steve Page passed away peacefully at his home in Sandwich on Thursday, May 2, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Steve was born in Keene, NH on October 14, 1953. He was drawn to nature and the outdoors from a young age, and this became one of the great passions and defining principles of his life. In his poetry, he wrote that he was “among the fortunate few / nature allows to witness her show.”
In 1971 Steve moved to Laconia with his family, where he met his wife and life partner, Linnie. They soon married and started a family. Steve wrote that Linnie was “the woman who completes my soul” and she “made me far more than I would have been.” Together, they raised two daughters, doted on six grandchildren, and nurtured a large community of dear friends across the globe.
From humble beginnings as a mason tender, Steve worked his way up to president and sole owner of the construction firm Bonnette, Page, and Stone. BPS thrived under Steve’s leadership and completed numerous high-profile public and commercial buildings and legacy projects across the state. Despite this success, Steve maintained that his greatest legacy in business was his relationship to his successors Randy Remick and Keith McBey, who continue to grow and steward the reputation of the firm.
Steve was a devoted artist who worked across many mediums including stone, wood, and words. From digging the foundation for an addition on his home by hand, including splitting the granite bedrock with antique feathers and wedges, to reciting dozens of his own poems from memory - he lived and breathed his craft every day.
Steve embodied the mantra that we should leave things in better condition than we found them. This is evident in his family, his buildings, and notably the generous donation of their home and land in Belize for use as a ranger station to protect hundreds of thousands of acres of unique and diverse marine habitat there.
Humble, yet grounded; deliberate, yet visionary, Steve impacted many lives with his gentle craft, wisdom and his kindness. In his last poem, he wrote, “Striving for excellence, I’ll pay the price. If excellence my legacy, that will suffice.” And so, it will.
Steve is survived by his wife Linnie Page, his daughters Candice Page and Hillary Behnke, his grandchildren Dr. Nicholas O’Clair, Hunter O’Clair, Tabitha Behnke, Lucas Behnke, Sidney Behnke, and Samantha Behnke.
There will not be a formal memorial service, as per Steve’s wishes.
Donations in Steve’s memory in lieu of flowers can be made to Pemi-Baker Hospice and Home Health. Information can be found at https://www.pemibakerhospicehomehealth.org/.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.