Steven Wisniewski

Steven H. Wisniewski was born the year the United States celebrated its bicentennial and grew up experiencing the American Way. He was eager, enterprising, and energetic about all of life. Whether at work or play, Steve threw himself into the tasks of learning and doing, seeing and helping. He was always right there for anybody and everybody. Steve was born in Muskegon, Michigan on March 18, 1976. He grew up in nearby Fruitport and enjoyed a fairly typical boyhood, full of outdoor activities and being a brother to Staci and Lynn. If tormenting his sisters from time to time was an indication of brotherly love, then Steve really adored them. He teased them with bottle rockets, but he also liked teaching them to shoot at the conservation club. Throughout his youth, Steve was eager to learn and do many things that captured his interest. During his high school years, Steve started working in the heating and air-conditioning business with his step-dad, Jim Laird. After graduating from Fruitport High School in 1994, he continued to learn the trade from Jim, and he took classes from Comfort Control, a major energy service company. All his knowledge and experience prepared Steve to open his own business in 2004. He owned and operated Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning in Fruitport. He also volunteered as a firefighter with the Fruitport Fire Department. His eagerness to get the job done, stay active, and help others came together every time he responded to an emergency call. He dropped everything he was doing, burned rubber leaving the driveway, and headed out to help. Thats just the kind of guy he was. Day or night, Steve was there. Its little wonder that he went to Ground Zero in New York City after September 2001. He identified with the firefighters. In his own words, he just had to see it. Driven by his vocations, Steve was also passionate about recreation. He was a fan of drag racing, making it to Raceway Park in Indianapolis several times but, more often, watching it on television. The truth is, he liked driving and being in control. Dont ask him to be a passenger; Steve would never sit still for that. In fact, he couldnt sit still for much of anything. After ten minutes, he was off to the next activity. His eagerness to bite of big chunks of life led him to take flying lessons, travel to Aruba, vacation in Key West, and camp in northern Michigan. Its only golf that slowed Steve down. Admittedly, his golf game was more fun than skill, but Steve found it relaxing to be with his friends. They had time to talk about lifes ups and downs. One of the big ups in Steves life was Amanda Hysell. Both from Fruitport, they were introduced by her brother and dated on-and-off for a while. Their love and commitment grew, and the two became engaged. Steve and Amanda made their vows on September 16, 2006 in Muskegon and honeymooned in Jamaica. When they bought a home in Fruitport, Steve developed yet another skill. He became a fan of yard work, and it showed. True to his nature, Steve was energetic about everything he did. As a result, he became a jack-of-all-trades and was willing to help in whatever way he could. Steve was loved and admired by family, friends, and fellow workers. They all agree with what the Fruitport Township Fire Chief was quoted as saying, He was a good guy, a nice guy to be around and dedicated (Muskegon Chronicle, June 29, 2007). Committed, caring, and robust. Thats how Steve lived his life. Steven H. Wisniewski, age 31, died Thursday, June 28, 2007 in Fruitport, MI from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. His family includes his wife, Amanda; his mother and step-father, Janice and Jim Laird of Twin Lake; two sisters, Staci Wisniewski and Lynn Lindsay, both of Muskegon; two step-brothers, Jeff and Brian Laird of Muskegon; his niece Kaydence Beuschel and his nephew Austin Wisniewski; two very special friends, Matt Vallee and Mike Hysell; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his AKC registered friend, a boxer named Tucker Dozeman Scout; Steven was preceded in death by his father, Frank Wisnewski, in August of 2002. A gathering to honor Steve and all that he meant to so many people will be held from noon to 4 PM on Friday, July 6, 2007, at Clock Life Story Funeral Home in Fruitport. A service of remembrance for Steve will begin at 12 PM. Memorial contributions for Steve should be made directly to the family; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit Steves personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to sign his memory book, and share a memory or photo of him.