BALDWIN- Stephen [“Steve”] Eric Libby, 79, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by
family—and presumably supervising from his chair—having finally completed life’s longest
project.
Born on August 12, 1946, in Portland, Maine, Steve graduated from Greeley High School in
1965. Shortly after graduation, a legendary party presented him with an early and very clear
life lesson: sometimes the Army is the better option. Faced with a choice between
spending time with the police or enlisting, Steve made the sound and character-building
decision to join the United States Army.
He proudly served from September 16, 1965, through an honorable discharge on
September 13, 1968, achieving the rank of Sergeant E-5. His service took him to Vietnam,
where he earned multiple honors, including the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He carried
his military pride quietly but firmly for the rest of his life.
Soon after returning home, Steve met the love of his life, Pattie. They married in August of
1969 and went on to build not only a life together, but quite literally a home, with many
other projects Steve decided needed building, fixing, rewiring, or improving.
Steve was the kind of man who could build, repair, wire, remodel, or completely redesign
just about anything—often without instructions and always with opinions. A licensed
electrician by trade, he tackled numerous construction and remodeling projects, with
confidence, skill, and a healthy dose of sarcasm
His sense of humor was quick, dry, and occasionally brutal—in the most loving way
possible. If Steve liked you, you knew it. If he teased you, you really knew it. And if he didn’t
like you? Well, we will just leave that for another time.
He was most proud of the home he built with Pattie to retire in, the three children they
raised, and his three grandsons—Teagan, Conner and Ryan Meggison, who pursued
respectable, hands-on careers as a mechanical engineer, electrician, and plumber. Steve
greatly enjoyed trading job-site stories, shenanigans, and “you won’t believe what this guy
did” conversations with them, proving that bad job stories only improve with age.
Steve’s hobbies included gunsmithing, black powder shooting, custom woodworking,
hunting, fishing, and anything involving his tractor—which he considered both
transportation and therapy. If he was outside, covered in sawdust, grease, or dirt, he was
happy.
He was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years,
Patricia Libby; his children and spouses, Tammy and Duane Fay, William Libby, and Kerry
Libby and Tom Adams; and his rescue cat, Simon, who was always by his side and clearly
believed Stephen existed solely for food, warmth, and admiration.
There will be no visiting hours or formal service—Steve would have had opinions about
that. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date, preferably with good stories
and humor.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite animal rescue organization.
Steve approved of rescues, especially the four-legged kind.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com