Steven Joseph Bailey Jr.

Steven J. Bailey, age 93, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Mary Cicilia; siblings, John, Madelon, Jim, Dean, Tim, and Mary Ellen; his wife of 70 years, Beverly; son-in-law, Brian O’Driscoll; grandsons, Bradley Foster, Jason VanTil and many, many lifelong friends. There was a joyful reunion in heaven, of that, we are sure! He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his daughters, Patti (Larry) Foster, Pam (Bob) VanTil and Teri O’Driscoll; grandchildren, Matt Foster, Michelle Foster, Jessica (Matt) Kemper, Shannon (Jonathan) Echols, Justin (Fenella) O’Driscoll and Erin O’Driscoll; great grandchildren, Cole and Ellie Foster, Ethan and Nolen Kemper, Shamari (Isamar) Echols, Malana Thocher, Jayonna Echols and Leyah Thocher; his ‘younger’ brother Patrick and so many nieces and nephews with whom he was delighted to share family stories at family reunions! We daughters feel blessed to have had our dad for such a long and happy life.

With his dad’s permission, Dad enlisted in the Army at age 17 which allowed him to get his business degree through the GI Bill upon his discharge. After his stint in the Army, he met his wife, Beverly with whom he started a life well lived. They had a great travel partnership. Dad drove, the packed to the gills, station wagon and mom was his co-pilot/navigator and demander of bathroom breaks. When we were kids, Dad drove us every summer, all over the U.S. visiting historical places, national parks, The Jolly Green Giant, Wall Drugs, Tahquamenon Falls, Niagara Falls, battle fields, and visited out of state family & friends. He was an avid reader and loved historical biographies, a good mystery, National Geographic, Time and Life magazines. Dad leaves us with memories of his fabulous one-liners that often had his caregivers/hospital nurses/doctors laughing or puzzled as to what the meaning was. IE-When asked how he was doing, replied: “I don’t know if I’m a-foot or on horseback!” We are thankful Dad kept his sense of humor and his ”one liners” for as long as he could. Although we will dearly miss looking into his twinkling blue Irish eyes, it’s a comfort to know he’s reunited with Mom, joyfully embracing family and friends greeting him inside the Pearly Gates.

We would like to give special thanks to the nurses and caregivers at Grand Brook Memory Care for the exceptional care they provided over the last few months. They tended to his physical and emotional needs with such care, empathy and humor.

A private graveside service will be held on July 28, 2022 at Resurrection Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions can be made to the Foundation for Catholic Secondary Education, re: Brian “McDivot” O’Driscoll Scholarship Fund https://community.grcatholiccentral.org/endowedscholarships or Gift of Life. Steven actively supported both.