Stephen Gary Weiss

Dr. Stephen Gary Weiss, 78, of Gulfport, passed away March 29, 2018, opening day of baseball season, a game he loved as a player, a coach, and a fan. Steve was born in Parkchester, The Bronx, NY and served as a professor of education at New York University for 40 years. Much of his teaching was centered around the stories of his students. He encouraged them to draw upon their backgrounds and personal experiences as a means of strategizing in the classroom, developing curriculum, and identifying with their own students. In his youth, he served as a counselor at Camp Ramapo in Upstate New York, a summer camp for children with emotional, learning, and/or social challenges. In time, he would merge his work at the camp with his teaching at NYU, enabling both his students and the campers to learn and grow with each other. Additionally, he had a private psychotherapy practice in Manhattan where he counseled adults and children alike. When he was a young boy, Steve was overcome with a rare case of scarlet fever, the results of which included a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. He would spend his entire life never letting it get in his way. He continued to walk even as his legs began to betray him, and always carried himself with a quiet dignity and grace. Two of his mantras throughout his life were “earn it” and “never quit”. He was an inspiration to many who simply observed him, to say nothing of those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 21 years, Dr. Eileen Weiss; son, Jeff and his wife, Shasta; son, Sam; and grandsons, Jensen and Peter. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Steve’s life will be held at noon on Sunday, April 22 at Town Shores Condominium Clubhouse, Gulfport. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dr. Stephen Weiss's memory to Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA.org). David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Central Avenue Chapel in St. Petersburg is serving the family.