Obituary
Steven Louis DelSesto, 75, of George Finnerty Road, Barrington, Rhode Island, died peacefully on March 28, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Nancy A. (Levasseur) DelSesto.
Born in Providence, a son of the late Louis and Agnes (D’Ambra) DelSesto, he lived in Barrington for 40 years.
Steve grew up in Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood until his family moved to Santa Barbara, California at age 9. After attending high school in Santa Barbara he took classes at Santa Barbara City College in the automotive services program and then attended San Jose State University for an undergraduate and master’s degree in sociology.
Steve moved from California to the University of Southwest Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he lived and worked as a sociologist studying Cajun culture. Following a few years there, he moved back to Rhode Island where he earned his PhD from Brown University. He taught at the Rhode Island School of Design and University of Rhode Island, and then became assistant professor of science, technology and society at Cornell University. He later worked as a researcher at the Russell Sage Foundation in New York City.
In 1983 Steve began a new career as a portfolio manager at Kidder Peabody in Providence. There, Steve developed a passion for following financial markets. He soon became Senior Vice President and stayed in his position for nearly 40 years, as the company was acquired by Paine Webber and then UBS. Steve loved helping his clients achieve their financial goals. For many years he had a recurring segment about investing on the local NBC morning news.
Steve married Nancy, and they moved to Barrington where they started a family and later built a home together. They especially enjoyed spending time in nature, with walks in the woods and nearby salt marshes. Nancy introduced Steve to Little Compton, RI. They spent each summer there, and Steve came to savor the country lifestyle.
Steve loved working on cars, and, later in life, his own motorcycles. He famously was able to identify the make and model of any car from the 60s or 70s. On weekends he could usually be found doing yard work or planning his next motorcycle touring route. Steve also had a deep fascination with history, particularly the World War II era.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Steve loved spending time with family. He took pride in his family’s accomplishments and had a story or advice for every situation. His family and everyone who knew him could count on Steve for support, guidance, and engaging conversation.
Besides his wife of 40 years he is survived by his two sons Michael DelSesto and Matthew DelSesto, two daughters-in-law Lindsey DelSesto and Megan DelSesto, and two grandsons Leonardo DelSesto and Christian DelSesto. He is preceded in death by his brother Robert DelSesto, and survived by his sister-in-law Tammy Taylor, two nieces Alyssa DelSesto and Rebecca DelSesto, and brother Gerald DelSesto.
The funeral services will be private. Calling hours and flowers are respectfully omitted.
Contributions can be made in Steve’s memory to the Cancer Research Institute at: https://www.cancerresearch.org/
All who knew Steve are invited to share personal memories, tributes, photos or messages before May 5 at the memorial website: www.online-tribute.com/StevenDelSesto
Gallery
Memory wall
Dr. William Canak
929 Forest Acres Court
Oak Hill, TN 37220
I was sorry to read of Steven’s passing and sorry for your loss. I remember when you and I used to keep in touch a lot when you all lived in Seekonk and myself in East Providence. A lot of years have passed since I had seen any of you. Think the last time I had seen your Dad was in the 80's...I also miss your Mom and Dad especially.
I am living in Florida now for the last almost 21 years. Please contact me when you feel up to it.
Cousin Nancy
We are saddened of the passing of Steve. Our memories of many years of advice, compassion and his witt will always stay in our hearts. Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with you all at this difficult time.
God Bless, Anthony & Lucille Boscia
Take good care. Prayers, Harriet (Chuck) Roberts
My love shall never wane.
Rest peacefully
Jay
At one point, when he decided that his love of investing could be easily transformed into a new career, he joined the firm of Kidder Peabody and quickly began to grow his business. Because of his wide range of life experiences, he was able to connect with and help his clients and his family achieve their life goals.
All of this greatly influenced who Steve was to become. He identified most with an extremely strong work ethic, and would rather spend his weekends on his lawn tractor and working on projects than most anything else. But, he also knew how to have a good time, which he fine-tuned during his time living in Louisiana with the Cajuns, dancing and listening to blues and zydeco music. And he was able to apply this joie de vie to his family experiences.
But what Steve was most proud of in his life was his family. His focus on family was definitely what had the greatest impact on us. And it’s clear that his philosophy and priority of family life had a major influence on the positive development of his two boys. When I look at the amazing men they have become, I see them as his greatest legacy.
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