GREECE - February 5, 2021. Predeceased by his parents, Bernice & John Bligh. He is survived by his wife Sandy (Carafice) Bligh; sons, Stephen J. Bligh & Peter (Jennifer) Bligh; siblings, John (Pat) Bligh, Douglas (Linda) Bligh, Gretchen D'Andrea & Sally Jagiello; brothers-in-law, Richard (Mary Kay) Carafice, Ronald (Elaine) Carafice & Peter (Beth) Carafice; several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Stephen's life story will be shared during his visitation, Thursday, February 11th, 6-9 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane, (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.). His funeral mass will be celebrated, Friday, February 12th, 11AM at St. Mark's Church, 54 Kuhn Rd., followed by his burial in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Click here to watch Stephen's Funeral Mass live

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to, Veteran's Outreach Center, 429 South Ave., Rochester, NY 14620 or to Parkinson's Foundation, Greater Rochester Chapter, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Suite 1600, Rochester, NY 14620 in Stephen's memory.


Stephen was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. He was one of 5 children born to John and Bernice (Lebo} Bligh. His brothers and sisters are John (Pat} Bligh, Doug 
(Linda} Bligh, Gretchen D' Andrea, and Sally Jagiello. He attended St. Joseph's Catholic grammar school in Buffalo. Anyone who knows Steve knows that from a very early age to the end of life Steve LOVED fishing! He loved being with his brothers and sisters. They had a small pool in their backyard. The Bligh's house was the place that all the neighborhood friends would gather for the pool and other familiar childhood games. Steve was always a quiet kid but a real prankster. There are so many stories. Once when he went fishing and caught some fish he went into the local supermarket and laid his catch, heads, and all, on the ice in the fish dept of the store. Another time he left his catch in someone's mailbox. His brothers and sisters always tell the story of the whole family piling into their station wagon and going to visit their grandparents in Saratoga Springs. All of a sudden, Steve yells out "look a fire". His father nearly drove off the road then Steve said, "would you believe a barbeque?" The days of the old Get Smart TV show landed Steve with a big wallop from his dad. Steve didn't get into too much trouble with his dad, so this is a moment his brothers and sisters relished.

Steve attended Bishop Turner High School in Buffalo. He enjoyed bowling on Saturdays with his friends, downhill skiing, water skiing, golf, art, and photography. His parents rented a cottage every year in Wilson, NY. Many fun and beautiful memories were shared there. They also went every year for 2 weeks to Memquisit Lodge on Lake Nippising way up in Canada. Gorgeous scenery, boating, water skiing and fishing were all the best things in life to Steve and his family. Steve never stopped going up to Lake Nippisisng with family and friends until just a few years ago. Owners changed but the scenery, boating and fishing were all the same. His father and mother passed but the tradition continued with his own wife, children, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews for many, many years. To prove it we have yards and yards of old video showing the waterskiing HE'S UP .... NO HE'S DOWN, literally for hours and hours. Steve was a Boy Scout. He always loved the outdoors. Later in life, he became a Cub Master for Troop 130 at MOS when his own 2 sons were in scouting.

After high school Steve attended Erie Community College majoring in food service. He was on the school yearbook staff as a photographer. He was also on the track team there. He was not a track star but true to his patient personality he never gave up even if he was coming in last. He tells the inspirational story of one race where he did come in last, but he said I felt I just was not going to give up. I was going to finish that race. He said he remembered the cheers when he did finish that race. It was a good life lesson. No one was prouder than Steve when his own son, Peter, became a track star and won the State Championship in Track and Field as a high jumper. One of Steve's proudest moments in life. After Erie Community Steve was drafted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Vietnam. He served as a Medic during the Vietnam War. Steve had 3 very close calls in Vietnam, but God was not ready for Steve then. Steve saw a lot of tragedy in Vietnam, but he chose to talk about the good he was able to do. As a medic he went into the villages and help treat the local people that were in grass huts and living in terrible conditions. He also of course, treated the injured soldiers in MASH units and in the combat areas. Steve had his camera with him and took many pictures of his time in Vietnam. He later put together an album and a video with John Denver singing "Rocky Mountain High" in the background of all his pictures in Vietnam. He shared that video with Men's Clubs and Scout Troops and anyone who would want to see it. He was very proud of serving his country during that war. When he came back from the army, he finished his education at Buffalo State College and earned his bachelor's degree in Nutrition. 

After College Steve moved to Rochester, NY and worked as a Food Service Manager at the Friendly Home. Then he was recruited by a NYS Dept. of Health inspector where he accepted a position as a NYS Dept of Health Senior Nutritionist. He worked for the State for 30 years until his Parkinson's disease made it too difficult for him. He was lucky enough to work with a great group of people that became his lifetime friends. When he was still single, he hosted an annual ping pong tournament on St. Patrick's Day in the basement of his East Rochester house. He enjoyed having friends over. In 1983, he met the love of his life, Sandy. That same year he purchased his biggest boat to date which he named "Sandy Beach" after Sandy and he caught a 30-pound Salmon fish, the biggest fish he ever caught. He often said he caught the biggest catch of his life in 1983 but not sure if he meant Sandy or the Fish. They married in 1984 and had two wonderful sons, Stephen John, and Peter Angelo. Steve, Sandy, Stevie, and Peter had a wonderful life together. Steve was a very involved parent. Serving on the PTA of their grammar school and Scout leader for their Scout troop. After his boys left scouting Steve remained a very active member of the scout troop 130 at MOS. His specialty was teaching the kids Dutch Oven cooking. He would successfully coach the scouts to place almost every year in the Scouting Jamboree Dutch Oven Cookoffs. We did a lot of camping with the kids. Always had his brothers and sisters and their children with us. We took several trips to Florida and Disney and a big extended family trip to Yellowstone National Park towing our popup camper. A beautiful trip that we will never forget. Steve also enjoyed furniture making. He made end tables, coffee tables, wine racks and our kitchen table that we used for many years. 

Unfortunately, Steve's life hit a snag. At age 50, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He was exposed to Agent Orange when he was in Vietnam and it is believed that this could be the cause. It resulted in an earlier retirement than he had planned but it did not stop him. Sandy retired a few years later and they were able to take cruises and a trip to Alaska with Sandy's brother Ron and his wife Elaine and good friends Tim and Mary Ann from St. Mark's Church. We were very active at St. Mark's Church and did many "Seniors on the Move" trips. Steve liked the casino trips the most. In 2013, it became obvious that our split-level home on Andiron Lane was not going to do for us in our old age. So, we built a new home in the same area that would serve us well. Our neighbors have been the most supportive and kindest people. In 2019, Steve was able to witness his son Peter's wedding where we were able to welcome into our family Peter's wife Jennifer. It was a very special and happy occasion for all of us. The priest, Fr. Tim Horan, that married Steve and Sandy many years ago at Holy Rosary Church was now the pastor at Jennifer's church in Webster. This beautiful union of two families was meant to be. With the help of the local Parkinson's group Steve participated in the "Loud Crowd". A group of people with Parkinson's that had similar issues in regard to their voice. He and Sandy made many wonderful friendships with these people. We all tried to help each other out. His speech therapist, Tiffany Welsher, that ran their group was amazing. It turns out that Steve was her Mom's boss many years ago at the Friendly Home when he first came to Rochester. Steve was very blessed all through his life with many wonderful friends and family.