Steven

My oldest brother. The first Sarno child ever born- 14 years before me! Most of my memories of my brother Steven are when he’s older since he’s the first born and me the baby of the Sarno’s! I do not recall much of when Steven lived at 128 Lexington, but one of my fondest memories of one of his first apartments on Bloomfield Ave over some stores near Ampere Parkway. It was Christmas time and he bought some raggedy tree into a very empty apartment and wanted us, me and Donald, and I do not remember who else was there (brother Anthony confirmed her was there too) to decorate his Christmas tree. But you didn’t buy any decorations, I thought ?!? So You, Steven, calmly popped some popcorn( mind you microwaves were not invented yet), gave us some thread and a needle and had us make popcorn garland. All I remember is pricking my finger constantly and wondering if you were “poor”? Hahah I’m not sure how old I was but I was just happy to be spending time with my big brother. If I remember correctly, we also used candy to give the tree some color and make it look “christmasy”. It was the worst tree I ever saw, but I do fondly remember having so much fun that night. You were a busy teenager when I was born and by the time I was able to appreciate your time, you were busy building an upholstery business and dating.  I also vividly remember your next apartment on Franklin St near Berkeley School. I used to cut behind those apartments to get home and always hoped to see u near the window, but you were busy working. Looking back, you had such a great work ethic and what you have accomplished has proven that. Not many people can run a successful business for an entire career! If I never told you brother, I’ve always admired the man, father and brother you have been for these last 52 years of my life.  But, getting back to that apartment on Franklin St. I remember visiting you there and on the wall were two caricatures: you with your upholstery tools and big lips, while Sharon posed with large eyes and her nurses attire! The crazy things we remember but it’s those so called trivial moments that bring us so close, although we are thousands of miles away! I’ve always felt close to you because of your kind and easy going nature, but more so because Of your sense of humor. You made me laugh often! When Jaime was born I’ll never forget how you picked her up by the back of her pants and carried her like a sack and you said “a baby pocketbook!”  I laughed for hours on that one! I used to love stopping by your shop in Bloomfield Center. The smoke that filled that place was, as I look back now, a second hand smoke chamber! On top of that, your “trash closet” was always outta control and there was usually some gambling pool nailed to some wall! Aesthetically, that place needed some help, but I can still picture you standing there with a cig hanging from your mouth, with your brown corduroy jacket with the patches on the sleeves, pulling out your “wallet”, which consisted of your money, credit cards and business cards held together by a rubber band!!  I always hated “working” there because I never knew who would be the wrath of your yelling (as I wondered what happened to my even natured brother), but the pay was great (I was grossly overpaid) and lunch was always provided, usually from that pizza joint on the corner! Come to think of it, I loved working there bc I don’t ever recall you yelling at me!! Money was great and I ate well. Can’t ask for more than that! But, my brother Steven was always there to give a job to someone who needed money. He opened his door to everyone (and still does) and would have given anyone the shirt off his back. Generous is the word I would use to describe my brother Steven. He was always generous. Yes, maybe too generous , but he always thought from the heart.

My beloved brother… the leader of the pack… the eldest of 7… where do I begin?   It’s been a week that you passed away.. and I’m still wishing it was all just a bad dream.. how could God take such a wonderful, decent, hard working, father, brother, uncle, nephew and friend?… I’ll never know that answer… but I do know that growing up, with you as my brother,  nine years older than me.. you always, always made me feel so special, smart and strong.  At 18, I wanted to buy a brand new Firebird.. I needed a co signer, mommy said “no Pattie, I didn’t do it for the others, I won’t do it for you”   You were there that night visiting, as you did almost every night after work.. and you said “I’ll do it”, have the guy come to my shop tomorrow snd I’ll sign the papers… mommy said “she goes shopping every day, I don’t know if she responsible enough”. You looked at me and said “yes she is,  I trust her”… well, I got my car, and I made sure I made every payment on time!!!  Although I still do my fair share of shopping… you instilled in me how to be responsible and pay my bills before the “extras”. You believed in me at 18 and never doubted me til your last breath, in any aspect of my life….  

there are so many great memories… so many quirkie things about you that we laugh about, so many stories.. (so many different versions) but there is one thing we all have the same version is… you were truly the best brother and person we ever could ask for…. Rest easy my beloved brother, you are no longer in pain…. Give mommy, daddy and Donald a big hug for me…. You were my hero..