Friends called from 5to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2008, at Lahey Funeral Home in Olin. Burial was in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, with military honors.

Stephen Gerard West was born on September 13, 1948 in Malden, Massachusetts, son of Albert Rankin West and Eleanor (McGrath) West.

He married Rosemarie Buonopane on November 28, 1974 in Salem, N. H.

Stephen served in the U. S. Army with the 101st Airborne during the Vietnam War. He was self employed doing odd jobs in construction.

He was a member of the Olin American Legion Blayney Miner Ahrendsen Post #412. He loved to help people and was extremely patriotic.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie West of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and one son, Steve (Kelly) West, Jr., of Suffolk, Virginia. Grandpa from Iowa is also survived by his three grandchildren, Jonathan, Kyle and Ryan, whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

He will be remembered always for his service to his country, his passion for helping others in their time of need, and the love he had for his family and friends. He also leaves behind a very big part of his life, his wife, Rosemarie, whom he cherished and loved every day of his life. A part of him will live on in all of us and he will be missed by the many that he has touched throughout his life. God Bless. XOXO.

Submitted by: Janet A. Brandt
Source: Midland Times, Wyoming, Iowa, 25 July 2008