Stephen J McDermott

Stephen James McDermott peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 18, 2026, after a courageous battle with ALS. He was born in Huntington, Long Island to Elizabeth and Francis McDermott on November 1, 1965. He was a graduate of SUNY Oswego and SUNY Buffalo State where he earned his master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. A devoted clinician, Steve worked in rehabilitation and therapy intervention for inpatient and outpatient facilities in New York, New Hampshire, and most recently Cleveland, Ohio. He left a legacy of commitment to his family and to his community, lending a voice to causes that support education, equality, and advocacy. He carried lifelong friendships from his many adventures and   always shared his love for books, nature, and music, especially the Grateful Dead. He could often be found playing his lefty guitar or tending his butterfly garden. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Keith and sister-in-law Marianna, his brother-in-law Leo Sandmann, and his in-laws, Robert and Carmella Kesicki. He is survived by his family, son Andrew McDermott and his partner Kody Watson, daughter Elizabeth McDermott and her husband Alex Bolton, and their mother Mary McDermott, as well as his beloved rescue dogs, Bowie and Nash. He is also survived by siblings Kathy Keegan, devoted caregiver, Diane McDermott, and Elaine Sandmann along with nieces and nephews. The family will hold a private memorial.

“What a long, strange trip it’s been!” - Truckin’ by the Grateful Dead