STEVE KALAMARSKI
January 5, 2017
Steve Kalamarski entered into his final resting place on January 5, 2017. Steve was born on October 20, 1942 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA to Frank and Regina (Kowalski) Kalamarski. He was baptized at St. Aloysius Church. During his childhood they moved to Lewiston, ID where he played football and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1961. He worked at the local roller staking rink to save for his first car. Steve married Louise Hipp in 1960 and they had three children: Debbra, Shane and Krysta. They divorced almost 30 years later.
Steve always had a competitive spirit and loved sports. Around 1967 he put his football talents to use and volunteered as a football coach. He started out as an assistant coach for Saint Patrick’s Elementary with his brother-in-law Ron Shaw. He then went to St. Francis Xavier as the head coach. The weekends during football season were almost like a family reunion. The family at that time had coaches at St. Aloysius, St. Xavier, St. Charles and Assumption. When St. Xavier became too small to have their own football team, Steve ended up coaching for St. Charles for two years and had his son Shane to help him as an assistant coach. Steve coached up until his stroke in 2001 when he was no longer able to do so.
While he was coaching football he also played on a rec league football team with his nephews Mike and Wade Shaw. Steve also had a love for bowling and competed on a league for several years. Steve then found the love of shuffleboard. He found this to be a great passion, almost as much as football, and even went so far as having a shuffleboard table in his home. He was always willing to help others learn the game and some even called him a coach there as well.
Steve traveled all over the states competing in tournaments and made many great friends. After Steve’s stroke he was determined that he would still play shuffleboard. He had no use of his right hand but that did not stop him. He would practice relentlessly to be able to play again, and play he did. He became a fierce competitor with his left hand shots. On May 25, 2002 he was inducted into The Northwest Shuffleboard Hall of fame.
Steve was also a hard worker. He worked for many years in the outdoor advertising industry. He was part of the construction crew that placed billboards all over the Spokane area and beyond. He remained with that company through several transitions from Markham to Donrey and finally Lamar.
With the love and support of his companion of many years, Luella Bliss, he was able to stay at home after his stroke. With his determination to have independence again he was able to get his driver’s license back with a few small modifications to his truck.. He had to take the actual test and passed with flying colors.
Steve’s passing has been preceded by his mother Regina in 1972, father Frank in 1979 and brother Melvin who passed before Steve was born. He is survived by three children: Debbra Clifton (Dan), Shane Kalamarski (Allen) and Krysta Hanson (Paul); six grandchildren: Cory Clifton, Kyle Clifton, Alex Overman, Damion Hanson, Dylan Kalamarski and Jasmine Hanson; three great-grandchildren: Brett, Landon and Leeland. He is also survived by his sister Carol Shaw (Ron); niece Connie; nephews Mike, Wade and Ronn; as well as many great nieces, nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
Steve was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Until we meet again. A rosary will be held on Thursday 1/26/2017 at 6;00 pm at Hennessey Funeral home, 2203 N. Division St. Funeral mass will be Friday 1/27/2017 at 11:00 am at St. Patrick’s Parish, 5021 N. Nelson St. Graveside services to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in the chapel at 12:30 pm. A celebration of Steve’s life will be at The Northeast Community Center from 1:00-4:00 pm at 4001 N. Cook Street in the lower level.