Stephen John Pasternak

Stephen John Pasternak, 66, of Gaston, SC passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026 at his home.

Born on Octobert 11, 1959 in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Steve was the beloved first son of John J. and Virginia M. Pasternak. Steve, aka “Gonzo Da P Man”, spent his life, in youth, as an altar boy, newspaper boy, a member of Boyscouts; as a young adult serving the Marine Corps as a Microwave technician, qualifying as a Master Industrial Electrician.and touched countless lives through his intellectual curiosity, imagination, learning, sense of humour, and robust approach to living.

“I feel sorry for people who have never swam in the ocean with a shark close by. To see such awesome power in motion puts a thrill through me that is so energizing!” –Stephen John Pasternak, Instagram post 22 Dec 2025.

Steve graduated 1977 Magna Cum Laude from Waterford Township High School in Waterford, Michigan and received an Associates Degree from ITT Technical Institure. Throughout Steve’s life, he enjoyed space and star- gazing, science fiction & fantasy books, voracious reading,maintaining an extensive home library; watching martial arts, shark, and Jacques Cousteau TV programs in youth; playing Dungeons and Dragons, pursued nautical interests, model ship building, collecting lighthouses, hunting, fishing, boating, ocean scuba diving, chess, playing Starwalk on his computer, hiking through South Carolina wildlife preserves, and had a particular fondness for nurturing stray cats, vaping, eating steak, baby back ribs, and short ribs. He also enjoyed elaborate pumpkin carving designs at Halloween. Those who knew Steve will remember him for his intelligence and photographic memory, his well- honed sense of humour and mimicry, his youthful curiosity and interest in Florida’s Space Centers,and Annapolis Naval Academy, his older brotherliness, scuba diving, his Hawaiian shirt-wearing, military tour of duty in Japan as a young Marine, boating/fishing excursion on South Carolina’s coast and scuba diving adventures in Japan & Tahiti.

Above all else, Steve cherished time spent with his wife, Mary, [deceased] and friends. Steve was a loving spouse, older brother, & uncle whose love, guidance, and kindness will be deeply missed.

Steve is survived by siblings Christopher, Michael, Daniel, Lisa; First Cousins Julane, David, Joshua, and their children; numerous nieces and nephews and their children.

Steve was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Jeanne; Father and Mother, John & Virginia Pasternak; older sister, Anne-Marie; Maternal Grandparents Stephen and Eugenia Lazarecki, Paternal Grandparents John Sr. and Edna Bell Pasternak. 

Steve will be cremated at Palmetto Cremation Society, Charleston, SC. His ashes will later be interred with militarym honors at Great Lakes National Cemetery Monday, November 9, 2026 at 9a.m., in Holly, Michigan resting close to his father, John Joseph Pasternak for eternity.

Flowers may be sent to Steve’s home at 105 S. Carlisle St, Gaston SC 29053.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VETERAN’S CRISIS LINES in Steve’s memory.

The family of Steve Pasternak would like to express their sincere gratitude to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, John Halloran, Maggie Findley, South Carolina’s Gaston Police Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Office & Deputy Coroner Grey Gain, and Colorado Springs Police Department for their care, compassion, and support.