Stephen Raymond Walsh

Many would not understand the significance of the “25 ^th ” of January.  Steve was an Australian and the 25 ^th is the 26 ^th in Australia, due to the time change and it was Australia Day, a significant holiday. Steve took the hand of Jesus and left for heaven surrounded by close friends, family and his 3 kitty “kids”.  Billy (the baby) spent the day on his lap and remained there, protecting his daddy.  Steve is survived by his wife of 22 years, Conda, his stepsons, Christopher Wolfer, Colby Wolfer (Rachel), and Corey Wolfer (Shelly), older brother Ken and younger brother Peter (Tracey).  He is also survived by his 4 grandchildren, whom he took great pride in watching them grow and learn,   Kellan Wolfer, Addie Wolfer, Jocelyn Joline (JJ) Wolfer and Lilly Wolfer, as well as two nieces and 3 nephews, fur kids; Sam, Tabitha, and Billy the kid.

Steve was born in Hastings Victoria, Australia and spent his entire childhood in Frankston North, on the Mornington Peninsula, 5 minutes from Port Philip Bay.  He joined the Sea Scouts in middle school and in May of 1977 was awarded the Queen’s Scout Honour Badge, for Leadership.  This award was given to only the top 5% of the very best. Steve carried those leadership attributes throughout his personal and his professional life, both in Australia and in Oregon, US.

Steve and Conda met online in an International Pen Pal site (as Steve would say, “before it was fashionable”).  After exchanging emails and then speaking daily by phone for over 18 months, he decided to come to the US to meet in person.  They ended up getting married in October of 2000, and Conda later migrated to Australia.  Five years later, the first grandchild was on the way and Steve’s company was downsizing, and he decided to take retirement and move to Salem Oregon.  He felt his Australian accent would be an advantage and it was.

Steve worked for JB Lawns for a season upon arrival from Australia with Conda in 2006.  He later became a public servant, joining the State Agency- Department of Administrative Services in the Publishing and Distribution Division as a State Mail Delivery Driver, for nearly 14 years.  His greatest pleasure was serving the needs of his customers.  As a writer, he would ask about their life experiences and later published 4 books that encompassed fictional stories in Oregon, all centered around the various agencies on the Capitol Mall and the “characters” he met on his rounds. This included a book in progress about an Oregon Governor, set in the year 2024. Steve was a very active SEIU 503 Union Member, serving through the years as a member of the 2013 Flying Squadron; Statewide Steward Committee and a delegate to multiple SEIU 503 General Councils. He was serving his second term of President and Chief Steward of sub-Local 125 at the time of his passing.  He led the charge on fighting “Workplace Bullying”, teaching anti-bullying classes at DAS, during the time Michael Jordan was Director.  Steve continued the mission, forming the SEIU 503 Anti Bullying Coalition, consisting of SEIU Activists from around the state.

Steve became a US Citizen in April of 2016, joining Conda in each having dual Citizenships in Australia and the US.

A public Memorial Potluck will be held for Steve on Saturday March 25 ^th , from 2pm to 5pm at the SEIU Union Hall 1730 Commercial SE, Salem.  In lieu of flowers, a Go Fund Me account has been established to help the family with final expenses.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bsaen-stephen-walsh/widget/large?fbclid=IwAR3ElEecVK2AGFSmwqyRtOz_j2Nag5jLSGEoSii24zzxyhMPkS6kpGF2jJA