Stephen “Steve” Walas (Berthiaume) 50, passed away quite suddenly Sunday August 8 at Baystate Medical. He had been suffering from an illness for sometime but complications ultimately led to his passing.

Steve was born in Northampton MA May 24 1971 to the late Patricia Ann Walas (Ocicki). Steve attended the Amherst schools and graduated from Amherst regional high school, he later went on to graduate from IT schooling for computers.

Steve loved to travel he spent a great deal of time in the southern states and Nantucket where he worked as a mason building houses making friends and where he met Jimmy Buffett. When Steve moved back to the area he settled down a bit with a girl he met while traveling and became a father to a girl.

Steve loved anything fast and art especially music; to him music was his own little world an escape from everything. He loved going to concerts and seeing as many bands as possible but he also enjoyed the quiet times alone just listening to classical music and reflecting on life.

Steve leaves behind his daughter Emma Rose Castillo (Walas), and grandson Elijah Castillo both of Naples FL. His loving sister Mandy Lynn Ocicki of Hadley, niece Lidia Healy and sister in law Laura Mendes both of South Hadley.

Steve was a unique person, to him this life was both a gift and a curse but he took it all in stride with a smile and a wise crack remark. Steve could see the good in the bad by making one of his infamous jokes just to see you smile and no one else can ever fill that void and that’s what made him so special you never knew what would come out of his mouth good or bad truth or lies but always funny. He always looked out for others even if it meant putting himself on the line and was always loyal to the ones he loved and held close. Steve will be sorely missed by his family friends and those who knew the real Steve. May you rest at ease in the tiki hut in the clouds.

A graveside service will be held Today, Tuesday September 21, at 1PM at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hadley. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com