ALAMOSA — Stephen Goldstein, age 72, died peacefully at home with his daughter, Korry, holding his hand.
He was faithfully cared for by his partner, Rita Roberts and his daughter Korry Goldstein.
Stephen was born Feb. 15, 1947 in New York City to Sylvia and Murray Goldstein. He grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Stephen moved permanently to Alamosa in 1981. He brought his daughter Korry, age 3 years old. He quickly became a fixture in the San Luis Valley community.
He had a entrepreneurial spirit and created and held many jobs. One of the jobs for which he will be fondly remembered is bringing New York style hotdogs to Alamosa and selling them from a vintage hotdog cart. Stephen founded and owned Blue Moon Bay Painting Company for over 20 years. Some of his best work can be seen on the Masonic building on Main Street, Alamosa. Through his painting business he came to know people far and near. Stephen worked as a counselor at the Mental Health Center in the mid-1980s. He was especially effective with youth in conflict. Many of the young men with whom he worked still remember the kindness, empathy, genuine love and support he provided.
Stephen was predeceased by his parents, an older brother Sheldon, and his trusty canine sidekick, Tucker. Stephen is survived by his daughter, Korry, his current partner of 15 years, Rita Roberts.
Trish Cunningham, Korry’s mother, his son Justin Collins (Tina), his grandchildren, Layla and Aiden; Joseph Roberts, Rita’s son; his cousin Sherry Tischler and her husband Stanley, who was his best friend; the Brinkhaus boys who he helped to parent for over nine years, and many, friends.
Stephen was famous for his charisma, generosity, wit, exuberance, and a laugh that could light up a room, all of which will be greatly missed.
Stephen’s memorial service will be held at Society Hall in Alamosa on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. A reception will follow in the dining area of the nearby Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust-P.O Box 444 Del Norte Colo., 81132, in memory of Stephen to preserve the San Luis Valley, a place in which he felt the landscape and the people fed his spirit through all the years he lived here.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave Stephen’s family online condolences and remarks, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.