Stephen M. Assetta, a long-time resident of Malden, passed away suddenly on February 1, 2007 at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford. He was 49 years old. Stephen was the devoted father of Victoria Assetta and Alex Assetta both of Malden and the former husband of Joyce (Cookson) Assetta. He was the loving brother of Teresa Johns of Malden and John Assetta of Malden. Stephen is also survived by his niece Lisa Leach of NH and his nephew Christopher Johns of Attleboro. At the request of the family all arrangements are private. Donations in Stephen's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1 Bromfield Street, Boston, MA 02108. Funeral arrangements by the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main Street, Malden.