Stephen Mark Dole

Stephen Mark Dole, born in Staten Island, NY April 24, 1951. He was a loving husband, father, brother & friend. He touched the lives of so many and will be sorely missed. He left us far too soon.
Steve was a bright and driven individual. Knowing he wanted to go to the United States Naval Academy from 8th grade on, he achieved that dream and graduated in 1973. He was a Naval Aviator. He felt a keen sense of duty to his country and was proud to serve for 24 years. Steve brought his family to the Pacific NW after retiring from the Navy. He was a true entrepreneur & specialized in finance and management. He loved to travel and thrived on adventure, especially the last minute kind. Such an inquisitive man, always in the pursuit of knowledge, understanding, concepts, ideas, truth…. and now that you have taken this apart, just how does it go back together? He was the family genealogist known to take his family tromping through graveyards in New England for old grave rubbings of distant relations.
He loved and was deeply moved by music, filling the house with songs that he played on the piano and harmonica. He would sing old scout songs with his wife Mimi, to his kids and grandkids at bedtime. He was at home in the outdoors with a passion for hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. Fascinated by the game of chess, he would often challenge his youngest son, William, to a game.
His life’s ambitions were to live peaceably and to have the opportunity to provide a secure, happy life for his family. He will be respected for his many contributions and efforts. We will dearly miss our Renaissance man who loved to debate everything from politics to the proper way to trim the grapes. He was a dear man, father, friend, husband and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife Mimi; daughter Elizabeth, husband Rob and grandsons Jonas and Finley; daughter Katherine; sons Stephen II, wife Renee; son William; brother David; half siblings Philip and Barbara, Priscilla, Elizabeth and Ronald Schuler, Albion III and Donna, and Martha; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by half brother Kenneth.
A memorial service will be held at Harper Evangelical Free Church on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 2 pm in Port Orchard. Online memorial at www.rill.com .