Leonard "Steve" Stephen Westward

Leonard “Steve” Stephen Westward, 81 of Aitkin passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.  He was born January 16, 1942 in London, England to Leonard Neill and Alma Kathleen (Nichols) Westward. 

In 1948 he came to America, sailing into New York Harbor with his parents and sister Jane.  They moved to New Jersey where he attended school, graduating in 1959 from Weehawken High School.  He attended New York Institute of Finance and then Fairleigh Dickinson University where he graduated with a B.S. degree in 1972. 

Steve was united in marriage to Eileen Barnes on April 25, 1964 in Jersey City, NJ.  After working as a partner for Stern Bros. (member of the New York Stock Exchange) for 37 years, Steve retired in 1997 at the age of 55. 

In 2002 they moved to Minnesota and built a home on Blue Lake near Aitkin.  Steve enjoyed fishing, woodworking, reading and volunteering with the Property Committee and Food Shelf at First Lutheran Church, Aitkin.  He was a member of the New York Stock Exchange, the Secaucus – Hudson Masonic Lodge, #72, Secaucus, NJ. and Paramus, NJ. Jaycees. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Alma Westward.  Steve is survived by his wife of 59 years Eileen; Children: Todd and MaryBeth Westward of New London, NH., Tracy and David Johnson of Midlothian, VA., and Tobie and Michael Milone of Newton, NJ.; Grandchildren: Zackery Johnson, Hayden Johnson, Emma Westward, Marin Westward, Luke Milone and Ella Milone; sister Jane Mose of Conway, SC.; and many other special friends and relatives who mourn his passing. 

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to First Lutheran Church or The American Cancer Society.  Services are pending. Interment will be in New Jersey.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Aitkin.

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