ALBANY –

Stephen Ralph Eppelmann, 57, passed away peacefully with family by his side on September 17, 2019 after a hard-fought battle with cancer for over a year.

Born November 5, 1961, Steve grew up in and ultimately returned to Albany, with work in the trucking industry moving him to Massachusetts and Connecticut. Over the course of his career, in which he took great pride, Steve was a truck driver, dispatcher, and terminal manager. Side jobs were plentiful, often involving the woodworking he loved, and included making furniture, building everything from decks to roofs, and as a school bus driver.

A graduate of Colonie Central High School and student of Hudson Valley Community College, Steve’s passion was his family, especially his children. Steve will be remembered for his generosity, incredible sense of humor, and absolute love of animals. Dad, we hope you are enjoying beef rollups and pizza with Nana, and the company of the many pets who surely greeted you Tuesday.

Steve was predeceased by his mother Nancy Jane Eppelmann, sister Carolyn Davia Eppelmann, and fiancée Lisa Jewell.

In addition to his father, Ralph, Steve is survived by his loving children Becky (fiancé Peter Hughes), Cara, and Gage Eppelmann, brother John (Christine) and their children Zephra, Marlee, and Lauren Ford, and aunts and uncles Penny (Roy) Stone, Carol (Andre) Corona, Ann Eppelmann, and John (Lucy) McNabney. Also surviving are many cousins and friends.

Family would like to thank St. Peter’s Hospital and their Hospice Inn, Amyloidosis Center at Boston Medical Center, John Potter for giving dad extra comfort at home with his incredibly generous gift, and Gage for his tireless care over the course of Steve’s illness.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday, September 23, 2019 from 4 to 7 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY 12205. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Interment will be next to his sister Carolyn at Bethlehem Cemetery, Delmar, New York.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Hospice Inn at Saint Peter’s (315 S Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208) or the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204).

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