Stephen Francis Dinda

STEPHEN FRANCIS DINDA - AKA STEVIE, LOVEY, MR. D, PAPA STEVE

Steve was born in Farmingdale, New York on 9/4/1942 to Frank Dinda and Frances Stephens Dinda and is the older brother of James Dinda and Elizabeth Churchill.

He graduated with honors from Half Hollow Hills High School, where he was senior class president and captain of the wrestling team.

Steve attended and graduated from Niagara University, where he met his beloved wife Dorothy Ann Cannon. Together they had their first three children in 2 ½ years.

Post-graduation, he had many different careers. Steve was a stock broker for Edwards and Hanley and Dean Witter. He also owned many of his own businesses. His Pioneer General Store in Bethpage, New York, was one of the first convenience stores in the U.S. with gas pumps in front. Steve also owned and operated a chain of gas stations throughout Nassau County, New York.

In his Forest City, Wantagh years, he coached Little League, played softball, competed in the community bowling league and was an avid poker player.

In his mid-forties, Steve left New York and found his calling, selling timeshare for the Marriott Vacation Club in their Telesales department. He became their top producer, won salesman of the year, and was the first Telesales salesman in the history of the company to reach presidential status. He was looked upon as a mentor, trainer, role model, friend and a friendly ear to speak to. He was acclaimed for his ethics and possibly best remembered for his sarcastic wit. He retired when stricken with cancer in 2002. 

Steve is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy and is survived by his second wife, Jane Powers and 5 children Susan Fischer (Gregory), James (Kimberly), Joseph, Frank (Kimberly), and Dorothy Mooney (James). He is also survived by his 7 treasured grandchildren, Josh, Jake, Andre, Austyn, Lexi, Aston and Mia. 

Steve was a cancer survivor, a life-long Catholic and looked forward to eternal life in heaven.