Steven Joseph Strawbridge Sr.

Steven Joseph Strawbridge, Sr., age 66, of Forest Hill, Maryland passed away surrounded by family on January 19, 2022. Born in Harford County, Maryland, he is the son of Gladys Elaine (Regel) and Joseph Dale Strawbridge and husband of 41 years to Susan Lynne (Grden) Strawbridge.  

Steve was a lifelong resident of Harford county, living on his maternal grandparent’s family farm in Forest Hill for the majority of his life. An avid farmer from his youth, he was involved in 4-H and enjoyed raising and breeding Polled Hereford Cattle. Steve was happiest on one of his many tractors putting up hay, plowing snow, or giving rides to young family members. He developed a love of gardening and landscaping while working with family on the farm and during his time at Ladew Gardens.   

Steve was a devoted family man, supporting his loving wife in her many charitable activities, encouraging his sons to build caring families and to pursue careers they loved, and providing a listening ear and good counsel to his extended family. Steve hosted many family gatherings, where he could be found cooking far too much food so that everyone had left overs to take home.

Steve was an athlete and sportsman. He was a varsity letterman in soccer, basketball, and baseball at North Harford High School, class of 1973. His love of sports continued while coaching his sons in basketball and baseball at Emmorton and North Harford Recreation Councils and always enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events. He was a life long Orioles fan and season ticket holder for many years, loved the Ravens, especially when they won, and followed college basketball and football, especially the University of Maryland Terrapins and West Virginia University Mountaineers. 

Ever the pioneer, he was the first in his family to attend college, studying Business Administration, with a focus in Finance and Economics, at Towson State University, class of 1978. He obtained the professional designation of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) at the American College. He was an advocate for higher education, and was proud of his youngest son for attending West Virginia University, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge, ultimately earning a PhD in Biochemistry.  

Steve worked for New York Life Insurance Company (NYLIC) as a Senior NYLIC Agent with over 30 experience. He was a Lifetime Million Dollar Round Table Member and a Lifetime Council Member. He was held in high regard by his colleagues and cared deeply for each of his clients.

Steve’s life is best defined by his generosity and commitment to service, in particular to the Harford County Volunteer Fire Services, where he was an active and foundational member serving as a Firefighter (FF), an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Provider, and in countless administrative roles for 42 years.

He first joined the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company (JVFC) in 1974. In 1976, he trained as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and in the following year became one of Harford County’s earliest Cardiac Rescue Technicians (CRT), training in part under R Adams Cowley in the Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland. He was a Life Member of JVFC where he served as EMS lieutenant, EMS Chief, Fire Division Secretary and Treasurer, Company Secretary, Vice-President, and Building Chairperson for the construction of the Blackhorse Substation.

While a member at JVFC, he helped to establish ambulance services at the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s (BAVFC) Forest Hill substation in 1979. He was elected an Honorary Member of BAVFC in 1981 where he continued to provide EMS to the town of Bel Air.

Steve later joined Abingdon Volunteer Fire Company in 1985. He was a life member and served as President, Vice President and Second Vice President, along with various company committees including budget, finance, insurance, and the building of Houses 1 and 3. 

He was particularly proud of his involvement with the purchasing and financing of fire and EMS apparatus, the spearheading the EMS billing program, and training and precepting countless EMS providers. In 2013, Steve was awarded the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Fireman Association Award for his exemplary service to the community. As a father, he was proud of his eldest son for following in his footsteps to serve as a  professional FF/EMT in the Prince George's County Fire and EMS Department.

In addition to his parents, wife and many cousins, he is survived by his sons, Steven Joseph Strawbridge, Jr. (Amy) and Stanley Eugene Strawbridge (Fiona Price-Kuehne); grandchildren, Justin, Garrett and Luke; brother, Tim Strawbridge (Carol); brothers in law, Eugene Grden (Becky) and David Grden (Sandy); nephews, Jason Grden (Erika), Matthew Grden, Daniel Grden (Emily) and T.J. Strawbridge; and nieces, Lori Watson (Alex) and Rachel Grden.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation in his name (crohnscolitisfoundation.org; 733 Third Avenue, Suite 510, New York, NY 10017).