Stephen Gerard Cicirelli, age 57, of Portland, ME passed away on December 16, 2019 in the loving arms of his husband, Les Holmes, and his nephew Jeremy Wasson, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. Stephen had been surrounded by family and friends at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, ME, where he received and gave loving care to all who came.
Stephen was born on December 28, 1961 in Dorchester, MA to Theresa Ann Dobson and Joseph S. Cicirelli.
Stephen was a veteran of the US Navy. He attended Portsmouth Senior High School in Portsmouth, NH, and earned a BA from the University of Massachusetts.
Stephen married the love of his life, his husband Leslie Holmes, on October 19, 2013 after a 15 year friendship. Stephen embarked on numerous travel adventures with Les and they regularly spent their anniversary traveling and enjoying sunshine.
Stephen’s wealth was measured in the numerous friends he made in every community, and the loving family relationships he built and protected. His generosity of spirit, enthusiasm for life and positive outlook filled people with sunlight. Stephen was the life of any party, ready and eager to dance and sing, and to draw out conversation and laughter from those around him. Though teased relentlessly about his poor driving, he made a high priority of connecting with his nieces and nephews no matter the distance between them. And he rarely drove by a Starbucks without stopping for a caramel latte.
Diagnosed with HIV at a young age, he fought fiercely to elevate awareness and advocate for a cure. Never hesitant to speak what was on his mind, Stephen’s grace, poise and quick smile helped create friendships wherever he went. Anyone in Stephen’s orbit was sure to recognize his loving, humorous and compassionate nature. He will be sorely missed by his family.
He is predeceased by: Sister Susan Randall of Tallahassee, FL Brother Daniel Dobson, of Carrabelle , FL Mother Theresa Dobson, of Somersworth, NH
Stephen is survived by his husband, Leslie Holmes, of Portland, ME. Stephen leaves behind beloved granddaughters Cassidy and Sophia Townsend and their mothers Christina McCarthy and April Townsend, all of Portland, ME. Stephen is survived by his three brothers; Joseph Cicirelli and wife Kelli of Concord, NH, and their two children Nicole Hogan of Gilford and Anthony Cicirelli of Concord Edwin Dobson and wife Denise of Barrington, NH, and their three children; Megan Dobson of Dover, NH; Marissa Podszus of Pinehurst, NC; and Tyler Dobson of Barrington, NH James Dobson of Salisbury MA, and his two children Emily and Elizabeth Dobson of Salisbury MA, his nephew Jeremy Wasson and his daughters, Olivia and Theresa, and his dear friend, Angela Wasson, and his nephew Sean Randall.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Ansgar Church, 515 Woodford St., Portland, ME, on Saturday, January 4, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Reception to follow at the church. (Parking available on the street and at the eye doctor’s office across the street). Burial will be held on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 1:00 pm in the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery 83 Stanley Rd, Springvale, ME 04083.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Stephen’s name may be made to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House 11 Hunnewell Rd, Scarborough, ME 04074 or to The Names Project Foundation The NAMES Project Foundation | 5002 N Royal Atlanta Dr | Tucker, GA 30084 | ATTN: Individual Giving
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