On The Wings of Faith

I’ve known Steve for close to 25 years and not once during that time, has he ever greeted me with anything less than that million-dollar smile. Then there were many times when he would flash that mischievous cheshire cat grin as if to say, “I know something that you don’t”.  Today, if I close my eyes, I can still see that grin.

Whether he was on your side of the bar or the other, Steve Shaw was an absolute pleasure to be around.

And now that pleasure belongs solely to our Maker.

I first met Steve when he was a bar-back at Cosmopolitan’s in Canton. He was eager and ambitious, and you could tell that he looked forward to the day when he could serve drinks like his capable Tuesday night mentor, Mike Celano.

Steve was a sports enthusiast and as such we’d often have discussions about the Ravens, Orioles and Terps. He had his opinions and even if they opposed my own, he’d present them in a non-confrontational way. And by doing so, slowly but surely you began to see things his way.

Not terribly long ago, Steve asked for my help when he was trying to put together a speech to address a gathering at Liberatore’s in Perry Hall to raise money to help cover some medical expenses. I was a sounding board at best. Whether through the written word or spoken, Steve thoughts were straight from the heart. He didn’t need my help, just my encouragement.

When Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it felt like he was handed a death sentence that few escaped from. I really believed that Steve would be one of those few. Throughout his battle, he was a model of positivity, shining a light on any small win while battling this formidable disease, driven by love, guided by faith. He actually viewed his cancer as a gift because it taught him about the things that are most important in life. Let that thought sink in.

Just a week ago, I asked a mutual friend how Steve was doing, and the response was positive. Maybe that’s just what Steve wanted us to believe so that we might keep our hopes alive while he bore the brunt of his grim reality – his way of protecting us. But he kept fighting. He fought for God; he fought for family; he fought for everyone who believed in him. Steve didn’t lose in life, but we’ve lost him in ours. And that hurts.

Steve leaves behind a beautiful wife Kim and their sons Jake and Connor, who he was so proud of. I have no doubt that quietly, Steve prepared for the end and probably did his best to prepare his family. But how do we all wrap our minds around this loss? He was just 42 years old with so much life ahead, so much more to do and see and feel. Cancer robbed Steve. It robbed everyone he knew, particularly his family.

We all feel for Kim, Jake and Connor. We hope they all find their way back to a happy place. But it will take time. A loss like this one, how could it not? But I know that Steve would want nothing less for Kim and the boys. Even though Steve’s loss will dim her shine for a while, she’s too loving and strong not to shine brightly again.

But for now, it hurts like hell because Steve Shaw was one in a million.

This week, I’ll venture down to Liberatore’s to toast Steve along with his long-time colleagues who are like brothers to him. It helps us to remember, to reflect and show our appreciation for this wonderful guy who blessed us all just by crossing our paths.

The journey has been exhausting for Steve and his family, but now, the battle is done. The angels have arrived.

Rest easy my friend. You will be sorely missed, never forgotten and forever an inspiration to all who knew you.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/12/16/lombardis-way/steve-shaw/