PLATTSBURGH – Stephen David Schiff, born May 27, 1939, in Brooklyn New York, passed away September 17, 2021, in St Albans Vermont.

Stephen spent his childhood in New York and on Long Island with his sister, a pack of cousins and a close extended family. As a young man, he proudly worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor. He left New York to attend Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas where he earned a degree in Business Administration and Accounting.  At Baker, he met Fran, his doting and dedicated wife of 58 years, in a lifeguarding class he was teaching, when she lost her contact lens in a pool, and he found it.  After graduating college, Stephen began his Air Force career where he gained the rank of Captain. During this time, he fought in the Vietnam War and taught ROTC students about the space program and marksmanship at Grove City College in Pennsylvania.  He and Fran lived, served and traveled all over the United States and World including several years in Japan where they toured Asia including climbing Mount Fuji.

After several moves, including a long stint in Plattsburgh, the family returned to settle after Steve's retirement. While there he focused on raising his family and continued his role as a valued and active member of the Cliff Haven neighborhood.  Stephen later became the Administrator of the Vilas Home in Plattsburgh where he devoted himself to improving the lives of the senior citizens who lived there, treating each of the residents like his own parent, opening the home to men and coordinating an addition that doubled the size of the facility. Volunteering for the South Plattsburgh Fire Department was a source of pride for him, and he moved his family to be as close to the firehouse as possible so he could be there and ready at a moment's notice.  His friends at the fire department were like family to him.  In his later years, he used his accounting skills to help seniors by volunteering for the AARP during tax season and volunteered elsewhere whenever possible.

Stephen found great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren and babysat them full time from infancy, without hesitation, for several years.  He was well known to brag about each of them incessantly.   Steve loved talking to everyone and seemed to have friends everywhere he went. Many of the neighborhood children consider him to be a second dad who always welcomed them into the house. When he had time, he was often found watching college football and basketball or his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, while building a Lego set. He had an excellent sense of humor and laughed and joked a lot. Stephen, or Bobop as he was lovingly dubbed by his grandchildren, will be deeply missed by those who love him.

Stephen is predeceased by his parents Blanche and William Schiff, his son Israel and several beloved pets.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Fran, sister, Ellyn Kutner, stepmother, Bea Schiff; son Jeff, his wife Jodi and their children Lia and Jacob; his daughter Sarah Kelley, her husband Bryan and their children Dean and Finnegan; his daughter Emily Cron and her husband David; and his dog Teddy, and cats Ms. Kitty and Charlie.

Services will be at Walker Funeral Home on Court Street, Thursday, September 23 ^rd .  Calling Hours will be from 5:00-6:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service. Internment in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery will take place Friday, September 24 ^th at 11:30am.

You may share a photo, story, or condolence with the family by visiting www.rwwalkerfh.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of R.W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY.