Obituary of Stephen M. Gaines

Canton- Stephen M. Gaines, 69, passed away on September 20, 2021 at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. As per the family’s request there will be no public calling hours or funeral services. The family has entrusted arrangements under the care of the Lawrence Funeral Home. Stephen was born May 15, 1952 in Potsdam, NY, the son of John F and Barbara J (Maybee) Gaines. He married Ellen Deleel on March 28, 1981 and was married for 31 years. She predeceased him in 2012. He is survived by six step-grandchildren, Mahleka, Colby, Quentin, Chloe, Ephraim and Novalyne Dorsey. Also, his mother, Barbara (Maybee) Gaines, three brothers Victor (Pauline) Gaines, Martin (Claire) Gaines, Alan (Alice) Gaines and two sisters, Sharon Gaines, Peggy (Lawrence) Burt, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Stephen was predeceased by his father in 1998 and his step-daughter, Jennifer Dorsey in July 2021. Stephen worked for Manth Brownell in Kirkville for several years, 24 years for Tarson Pools in Syracuse and several years for Bessie Riordan Apartments in Mattydale, as well as doing many odd jobs and maintenance work around the area. He was willing to try his hand at any job. Stephen loved people, animals, traveling and learning new things. He loved to tear things apart to see how they worked and putting them back together. He was always looking to improve what he was working on and was a perfectionist in whatever he was doing. He volunteered for several years at Chittenango Landing Boat Museum. Memorial contributions may be made to Chittenango Landing Boat Museum or the charity of your choice.