Steven J. Warnecke

Steve J. Warnecke, age 83, of Manhattan, New York and Colrain, Massachusetts, passed away on February 25th, 2023 from cardiac complications. He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of nearly 25 years, Rebecca L. Bounds, and is buried next to her in Colrain.

Born in New York City on March 31, 1939, Steve attended Hackley School in Tarrytown, New York, then continued his education at Columbia University where he received his undergraduate degree (1960) and his Ph.D. in Political Science from the Department of Public Law and Government (1967).

Following this, Steve was a university professor for several years before moving to the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London where he published and presented papers on European Community and International studies, focusing primarily on policies in economics, energy and industrial trade, and politics. A prolific writer his entire life, two of Steve's seminal papers were "The European Community in the 1970's" (1972) and "Non-Proliferation and INFCE: An Interim Assessment" (1979).

Upon returning to the United States, Steve opened a boutique investment company in Manhattan, Sheffield Associates, which was geared to private equity investors. It was also in Manhattan, in the late 1980's, that Steve met his wife-to-be and the love of his life, Rebecca. They formed an immediate bond that never wavered, only growing stronger and more complete.

Another joy for Steve was his constant canine companion, Ollie, with whom he equally enjoyed sharing walks throughout cosmopolitan New York City and the hills of the Catamount State forest.

In his later life, Steve became a wonderful woodworker who loved sharing his creations with family and friends. He was a life-long pursuer of knowledge and could often be found with a book in his hand, or perusing the Internet, diving joyfully into a new-found passion. To the delight of many, Steve would never pass up the chance for an interesting conversation on any number of subjects.

Steve is survived by loving and cherished family members and many treasured friends who will forever remember and miss his outstanding intellect, political sensibility, commitment to human decency, kindness, generosity, and, most of all, his endless, original, and infectious humor.

A Memorial Service celebrating Steve's life will be held on May 13th at his home in Colrain. 

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