Steven Giacci
Steven Giacci
Of Virginia Beach, Virginia
April 11, 1964 – January 29, 2022On Saturday, January 29, 2022, Steven Giacci, husband of 25 years to Cindy Giacci, father to Cassandra Giacci Santoni (35), Lauren Giacci (16), and two grandsons Ian (7) and Aaron (4) passed away suddenly at the age of 57.Steven was born in White Plains, New York on April 11, at 11 minutes after 11 PM, 1964, and passed away in the early morning of January 29, 2022, at a friend's house in Fleischmann’s, New York. He grew up in the Catskill Mountains of New York and ironically, that’s where his life ended. Steven was the youngest of 5 children.
Steven attended Hudson Valley Community college after graduating from Roxbury Central School in Roxbury New York. He had a 4.0 average in his freshman year when his three roommates were all seniors whose motto was "study first, party last." He then attended the school of hard knocks for about 10 years until he returned to the Catskill Mountains with his bride-to-be.
He enrolled at SUNY at Delhi graduating cum laude with an Associate degree in Applied Science in 1994. He was accepted into Phi Theta Kappa in 1993. He then went to University at Buffalo and earned the degree of Bachelor of Professional Studies Architecture Cum Laude in 1997 and Master of Architecture in 1999.
After Graduating Steven and wife Cindy moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia. Steven accepted an internship with Waller, Todd & Sadler Architects. He also worked for Rodriguez, Ripley, Maddox and Motley Architects and a few other smaller firms before making his final move to the Government.
Steven served his country for almost 14 years working for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an Architect and Planner for the United States Coast Guard and Department of Defense for the Navy. He has received many service awards in his time with the Government. He traveled for work all over Europe, Africa, and the United States. He also lived in Italy with his family for three years while working for the Navy.
Steven and his family spent winters downhill skiing at Plattekill Ski Center in Roxbury. From the time he could walk and talk, Steven loved models. From collecting matchbox toys to building his own model planes, trucks, and cars, it was a hobby that never diminished and was still going strong right up until his death. His latest love was 3D printers and flying drones with cameras. He spent much of his free time creating things to bring to life in one or more 3D printers.
His laugh was infectious and his wit was unforgettable. He caught his love for fishing from his brother, Gary, a bit later in life and fished as often as he was able. He had a wacky sense of humor and those who knew him thoroughly enjoyed his quick wit and spontaneity. He was interested in everything around him. He was generous to a fault and would drop everything at a moment's notice to help his mother, siblings, and/or friends.
While living overseas, he was able to take a motorcycle trip of a lifetime. He rode his Victory Vision through around part of Europe in two weeks. He started in Napoli Italy, stopping overnight in Switzerland then to Germany for a week. On the way back, he rode to the Netherlands to spend time with his cousin Glen for a couple of nights. Then down to France and then back home to Italy.
Memory from brothers: “Steven was one of those rare individuals that was able to live life on his own terms, without apology. This, of course, didn’t necessarily bode well for all around him. But as Steven would say…” Gotta Love Me”. and we did/do. As painful as it could be sometimes, we always got that love back in spades.”
Little in Steven’s life was more important than his family…All his family, including many that
weren’t necessarily related. I am going to miss following Steven’s “Pimp My Plate” and “Food Porn” posts on Facebook, our discussions about Ancient Aliens and the US Government, his dissertations about how essential his toys were and how he couldn’t wait to see us all on Bald Head Island to try some of those toys out over an ice-cold beer, boot-legged Cuban cigar and possibly a little fishing. I find myself having a very hard time with all of this. A parent shouldn’t out-live their child…an older brother shouldn’t out-live their younger brother. It is just not the natural order of things. Then again, Steven always did have a problem following the rules…
Steven is also survived by his brothers Fred, Gary, and David Giacci, Sister Laura Giacci Roth his mother Nancy Fink Giacci, and many nieces, nephews. Steven was predeceased by his father Vincent Giacci and niece Dana Giacci Rogers. He was loved by all.
A celebration of life will be held for friends and co-workers in March in Chesapeake, Virginia. A private ceremony will be held this fall for family and his closest friends on Bald Head Island, North Carolina.