Steven Edward Slattery II
20th July 1986 - 6th May 2003 Aged 16 y 9 m 16 d
Eulogy for my Little Brother, Steve.

Steve was my younger brother, but he was much more to me than that. He was my best friend and beloved brother. While the last year of his life was filled with intense affliction and emotional pain, Steve kept his agony hidden within himself. The only person he let us see was the joyful Steve. Therefore, let us celebrate with fondness the happy times Steve experienced in his short life, and the loving joy he brought to others. Steve was so quick to laugh at just about anything you would say, and to give the most beautiful smile to anyone and everyone. He was always such a handsome boy, but needed much reassurance.

In his short life, he showed the high value he placed on other individuals, and thus, led a most selfless life. When Steve was in grade school at Immaculate Heart of Mary, I remember that one year, when he was pretty young, Steve’s teacher called Mom because Steve brought in money he had been saving for a month from his paper route to donate to a class fund to aid the poor. Steve was always that big-hearted.

As a child, I did not always appreciate Steve. Every week at Mass during the sign of peace, Steve would try to give me a big, enveloping hug, and I would push his arms away. Still, every week, he did the same thing, trying to show me his love, but it was several years before I would give him a chance. During the last several years of his life, we became very close. Steve was an easy guy to love.

When Steve started high school at Anderson, he joined the freshman soccer team in order to meet new people. Besides that, he did not join any school sports teams because he did not share some of the same attitudes as many of the players. Although he was shy, Steve was a pure-hearted individual who stood up for what he believed in.

Steve had a very special place in his heart for several people: his mother, his father, his brothers, and his friends. Most the time when I would see Steve with Mom, he would have his arms around her neck. Standing behind her, he towered over her, leaving us all to see him as a guardian, defender, and protector. Moreover, he saw his dad as a funny, quirky guy, with a unique personality, not all too different from himself. Despite their differences and disputes, he loved his parents dearly. Equally, Steve loved his little brother, Eric. Our family shares countless joyful memories of Steve and Eric playing together –video games, sports, and horseplay. They were caring buddies, and shared many memorable experiences. As well, Steve held his older brother, Jimmy, in high esteem. Everyone who knows Jimmy sees him as a highly intelligent, self-made individual. Steve wanted more than anything to possess Jim’s natural genius, but in doing so, often failed to recognize his own brilliance.

Strong friendships were important to Steve. He showed great loyalty toward his friends, and adored each of them for their distinct and unique qualities. In a friend, he sought out people who upheld noble values like his own. Even so, Steve always seemed to get along with everyone, and unsurprisingly, it is difficult to find a person who did not like Steve. It was so rare to ever hear him utter an unkind word against someone. And if he were to hear someone say something unkind, he would just smile and laugh, but he would not say it himself. During his last few months, Steve worked at KFC and took pride in doing his job well. The praise he received from his co-workers and managers greatly boosted his self-esteem. Look at the wealth of people gathered here. Look at the magnitude of friends who carried Steve in here today - people who loved Steve. They helped to carry him through life, and now, they continue to carry him, even after death.

Though we miss Steve immensely, we must rejoice at that same time that he is free at last from the agony he felt in this life. He was an angel on earth, and we can imagine that he is also an angel in heaven. To quote a common prayer of thanksgiving, Steve is surely praising God in heaven saying, “Free at last, free at last. Thank God, Almighty, I’m free at last.”

In Loving Memory of
Steven E. Slattery II
Born July 20, 1986
Died May 6, 2003
I’M FREE Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free; I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard him call; I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow; I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me; God wanted me now, He set me free.