J. Brian Steeves
December 9, 1934 - December 20, 2007

"We both had Mr. Steeves for choir during high school. He touched every student that he taught hearts. He was both a friend and great teacher! "

"Words are just too inadequate to describe such a kind, wonderful, and talented man. Truly a muscian's musician. It has truly been an honor to sing under Brian's baton. We guess it's time for Brian to bring "River in Judea" to the angelic choir. Our deepest sympathy to his family. "

"Brian Steeves was one of the best men I have ever known. Over the years I have sung with him at KHS, Mendelssohn Club, & the Yankee Male Chorus. The music program at KHS taught be how to sing, and that is a gift that I will forever carry with me. On Christmas Eve, I was able to stand up with a group of people I have never met before and sing the Hallelujah chorus because of him. Thank you Brian for the gift you gave me 20 years ago. You will be missed by everyone who knew you. Yankee Male Chorus will never be the same without you."

"My condolences go out to Mr. Steves?s Family. I was a student of Mr. Steves (1976 ? 1978) and remember fondly of my time under his direction in the KHS Choir."

"A wonderful and loving man, that will forever be remembered and missed. "

"There are memories that we shall never forget. Brian was part of our family as was the rest of his family. A man with a calm & good heart with generosity of mind & feelings.We never will forget the times we had together at camp, family gatherings. Our heards are sad but the memories will last forever. Arlene, Ellen,Maureen, Karen, Mike & Rob.and your families, your Dad is gone but his life will remain forever in our minds."

"I was on of his many choir members. I was so sorry to hear of his passing."

"Mr. Steeves -- you once saw a spark of promise in a troubled young man when everyone else had written him off as lost, and though you never knew, your quiet patience and understanding showed him a different way. Thank you, beloved teacher, may your kind spirit rest in peace with the Lord forever."

"Mr. Steeves made an extraordinary difference in the lives of many musicians in Kingston, and was always very friendly. "

"It is with great sadness that I discovered the news that my "Mr. Holland" had passed. Though it has been almost 30 years ago (KHS 1979) my choir family and memories of the last period of each day with you and Mrs. Rignall and Mr. Goodemote are the most precious and lasting memories I will ever have. Thank you for the gifts you taught us all that though disguised in music were life lessons for all of us that we have carried all our lives. May the Lord Bless you and keep you and your family. "

"Our condolences from Brian's friends at the Kingston "Y". Brian will always be in the hearts of the Happy Hoofers. He will always be remembered as a kind and gentle man and a great critic of our workout music."

"Donna & I will very much miss Brian's generous nature and warm smile... especially at gatherings 'round the campfire by members of Chapter 288 - Hudson Valley Ramblers, of the Holiday Rambler RV Club. Our deepest and most sincere sympathies to the family of Brian & Arlene."

"Mr. Steeves was my choir director at Kingston High while I was there from 1988 to 1990. He was a wonderful teacher and a very kind man. I have known his family for over 25 years and they are all great people. I am so sorry for your loss at this special time of year. My family will be thinking of you and praying for you all. "

"All the wonderful concerts I attended to see my brother and sister perform when I was a little girl....for all the great things you did for the music dept."

"I want to send my sincere wishes out to the family of Brian Steeves. He was a great man and musician, and all who were lucky enough to sing for him were better because of it. I'm sure he will always be remembered for the very fine director he was."

"There are memories that we shall never forget. Brian was part of our family as was the rest of his family. A man with a calm & good heart with generosity of mind & feelings.We never will forget the times we had together at camp, family gatherings. Our heards are sad but the memories will last forever. Arlene, Ellen,Maureen, Karen, Mike & Rob.and your families, your Dad is gone but his life will remain forever in our minds."

"Brian, Your essence was ineffable, but at the least, you were the truest gentleman and a very fine brother-in-law. You had perfect pitch in matters of love and respect. And as you always honored that one rule of gold - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - so then, we will all miss you with the same tenderness and sadness with which you mourned the passing, not so long ago, of your son Brian Jr. Vade in pacem, frater - Greg"

"My mother loved him as if he were her son. He gave her eulogy as a celebration, for which I will always remember him and be thankful. He was best man at my wedding; the ring almost rolled down the grating at St. Johns. There is so much more. The world is the less, today. Charlie and Lorraine"

"Oh, Mr. Steeves...this is incredibly sad news. He began as my swimming instructor many, many years ago at the IBM Rec Center. I was one of his students again at KHS when I was in the choir. He was an amazing man and extraordinary teacher and one of the reasons that I became a music teacher. He touched so many lives and inspired so many of us. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time. Sue Scherer-Yanarella"

""The man who walks with God always gets to his destination"....and to share in his journey has left many KHS students blessed with good memories, fine teaching, & an ability to appreciate great music. Deepest sympathy to his family. "

"Some of my fondest memories from high school are with the choir. I will always remember Mr. Steeves with great fondness and a smile. Thanks Mr. Steeves!"

"I will always remember the first time I met him, he looked so serious until I saw him smile, he was a very special man and will be missed by all who he taught and came to know this wonderful, gentle, man."

"My prayers are with the Steeves family, friends and all those whose lives he touched with his musical gift. I have such fond memories of singing in the KHS Choir from 1979-1982 and appreciated all he did to support my vocal aspirations. You are now with your son Mr. Steeves...gone but both not forgotten."

"In memory of a great musician. Ed Myers"

"Mr. Steeves was my choir director when I was a KHS student, and my father also knew him from the men's choir. Mr. Steeves was known to many students as the best-loved teacher at KHS. He knew how how to teach, earning the respect of other school choirs. Mr. Steeves was a kind, respectful man with a great sense of humor and a heart of gold. He treated his students like loved ones and I am very sad to hear of his passing. I know all of the students who ever knew Mr. Steeves will miss him forever. My best wishes go out to his family and to everyone who ever knew him."

"I have many fond memories of Brian starting with swim lessons at the old IBM Rec center, on through the KHS Choir and Alumni Choir. Lynda and I send our sincere condolences to Brian?s family. We just know that not only will Heaven's Choir sound just a little sweeter, but because of a few bad puns, they will have a little more fun in rehearsals."

"What a rewarding experience knowing Mr.Steeves, an educator determined to make us successful in our learning. His respect, sincerity,and encouragment have been appreciated by many far beyond years of schooling. A true talented gentleman. "

"Its with sadness that I read in Freeman Online that Mr. Steeves passed away. Thank you, Mr. Steeves, that KHS choir gave me my most positive memories of high school days. You were like a bright light in the music room. You always had a radiant smile and a positive word for every student there. From the little kid who sat in the music hallway 23 years ago, thank you for caring about me. Patricia Bottino Figura "

"A gentle soul, a warm heart, a caring person, a joyful creative singer, a magnificent director and a passionate musician, these are the ways Brian Steeves will be remembered and honored. The angels have added a spectacular musical director. To have enjoyed this mans talents was our pleasure. May the family find peace. The Richard Harnden Family"

"As I was listening to the choral works from Handel's Messiah today, I my thoughts were of my years in the KHS Choir and Brian Steeves - in his concert tuxedo conducting us in our formal performances as well as the impromtu ones on the steps at KHS around the Christmas tree. When people would ask me why I wasn't using a copy of the score to read from at the SF Symphony's Sing it Yourself Messiah concerts, I would tell them I was a student of Brian Steeves - I didn't need one, I knew it by heart and was taught by the best. He's never truly gone, so long as we remember him."

" He was a mentor to me. The teacher who never gave up on you. Always encouraging me to try harder and be the best that I could. I feel as if I've lost a father and I will be forever in his debtfor what he taught me. May the Lord bless you and keep you."

"I met Brian through one of his passions, Male Chorus Singing. I always enjoyed singing for him at Yankee Male Chorus, or during one of the Mohawk Hudson Male Chorus Massed concerts. Brian was a gentleman and I will miss his smile and kind words. I know he will be conducting a great Chorus in heaven. "

"mr. steeves was one of the best and certainly very instrumental in my successful musical career. his musical style touched many of his khs students. his memory will always remain in all of us."

"Prayers for a gentleman and a wonderful caring teacher. the Parodi Family, Irene, Arnold- students, Irene and John."

"Dear Ellen and Steeves Family, I have read some of the beautiful memories and tributes from Brian's friends and students. I offer my condolences to you for the loss of this very lovely and well-loved man. Love, Tom's Aunt Eileen"

"I too remember Mr. Steeves as a wonderful music teacher. I am 58 years old so you know how long ago he taught me at KHS. He always showed much compassion and understanding to all those he taught music to. May God bless all of his family."

"Mr. Steeves was the best father-in-law a girl could ask for. He was compasionate and understanding. He was supportive and non-judgemental. He gave me sound advice both professionally and personally. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. He will always have a special place in my heart. "

"I will always have good memories of Mr. Steeves as my music teacher in my early years. He was a wonderful teacher and person. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family. May time heal the hurt of losing him. "

"It was my pleasure to know and sing for this great musician and gentle man. I will miss him."

"Music is a wonderful thing."

"I had Mr. Steeves as my music teacher and I just loved his class. He was a wonderful teacher and I so enjoyed singing. I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember glee club because of him. God Bless."

"A true, gentle man, who loved teaching almost as much as he loved his family. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Arlene, and your family."

"It is with great sadness that Rosemary and I learned of the passing of our friend and servant leader, Brian Steeves. In his humble and "gentle" manner, Brian was a force for good in our troubled world. He served with our team of Kiwanis Lt. Governors over ten years ago to touch many lives. He has touched many more lives since as a role model of sincere dedication to volunteer service. All of us in the New York District of Kiwanis are beneficiaries of his commitment and compassion. We will miss him dearly, and our sincere condolences are extended to Arlene and his family. While we are sad to lose another member of our Kiwanis family during this season of light , Brian's life made it brighter for us and countless others, offering us hope and faith in the real meaning of the season. May he rest in the light of goodness and peace which he offered through his good deeds in this world. Tom DeJulio Kiwanis International Trustee"

"Donna & I will very much miss Brian's generous nature and warm smile... especially at gatherings 'round the campfire by members of Chapter 288 - Hudson Valley Ramblers, of the Holiday Rambler RV Club. Our deepest and most sincere sympathies to the family of Brian & Arlene."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Steeves family. I had the honor of having Mr. Steeves as a teacher at KHS. He will be missed by all who knew him. The Choir of Angels in Heaven has gained a new member. God Bless."

"Brian as co-worker, fitness group and outstanding music professional. We have known and appreciated Brian on many levels. What an outstanding and loving individual. Never saw Brian when he didn't have a smile on his face and always a greeting that really made ones day. He has made a most memoriable impression on our family. Thanks be to God for his memories. Love, Willie, Mary and Angela Littleton"

"Brian you will be greatly missed.....It was a gift to have known you. "

"PRAYERS FOR A GENTLEMAN AND WONDERFUL,CARING TEACHER. SINCERELY, IRENE & ARNOLD (students) Irene ('82) & John(84). "

"Brian was a well liked and respected member of the Hudson Valley Ramblers Motorhome Club. He was a joy to visit with and always willing to help when asked. We will miss him dearly. Jim Stevens VP HVR Club."