Steven C. “Beaver” Gaetano

Turin- Steven C. “Beaver” Gaetano, 68, of Gomer Hill Road and a former longtime resident of Boonville, passed away, after a brief illness, while surrounded by the loving care of his family, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Wynn Hospital, Utica.

Affectionately known as “Beaver,”  he was born in Utica, on January 13, 1957, a son of Felix “Phil” and Jeanne LaQuay Gaetano.  Steve grew up in Boonville, receiving his education at Adirondack Central School.  He was first employed with his father, as a carpenter and later superintendent, in the operation of his family’s Kortenaer Construction Co. of Boonville.  Later he was employed as a heavy equipment operator for Masetek Pipeline Construction Co. of Florida.  His last employment for many years, until his retirement in 2020, was for Lash Construction Co. of Albany, where he was a heavy equipment operator and superintendent of heavy highway construction.

He married Ronna Marks and later the couple were divorced.

Beaver greatly enjoyed playing Golf, practicing the hobby of photography and exploring and learning new technology.  However, most of all, Steve was naturally very gifted as a heavy equipment operator and as Steve would say, “he just loved his time in construction work and operating heavy equipment, while digging in the dirt!” For many years he owned a backhoe and greatly enjoyed volunteering his backhoe related services to friends and neighbors and always at no charge. 

Steve is survived by his fiancée and life partner, Joann Maring, Lowville; one son, Chad S. Gaetano and his fiancée, Rachel Lyons, Gloucester, MA; a daughter, Ashley Gaetano, Utica; two grandchildren;  two sisters and a brother in law, Gayle (Terry) Westervelt, Cobleskill, NY, Heidi Vernold, Syracuse, NY; one brother Eric (Rick) Gaetano and his fiancée, Phyllis White, Boonville and nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Steve was predeceased by siblings, Susan Schweinsburg, Patricia Wendt, and Phillip “Skip” Gaetano, and a brother in law, Rick Vernold. 

Steve’s family wishes to express a note of sincere thanks and appreciation to the volunteers of the Turin fire Department Ambulance, for their excellent care and kind attention given to Steve, “Beaver.”

His Funeral will be Thursday at 11:00 A.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where Pastor Jack Ford, from the Boonville Global Methodist Church will officiate.  Interment will be in Boonville Cemetery.  Calling hours are Wednesday 4-7 P.M. at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Turin Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Fund, North Main St. Turin, NY 13473.

For an online message of sympathy, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com