Obituary: Stephen Paul Mantenuto, 63, Auto Entrepreneur, Father

WALTHAM, MA — This obituary comes courtesy Maria Mantenuto:

Stephen Paul Mantenuto passed away peacefully on the evening of January 14, 2020 at the age of 63. He spent his final months at home in Waltham surrounding by the love and support of his family. After a long, resilient battle with metastatic lung cancer, Steve is finally resting comfortably.

He was born on August 14, 1956 and raised in Waltham, the youngest of five brothers and sisters - Charlie, Connie, Jimmy, Mary Ann, and Jeanie. Later on, he moved to sunny Florida to raise his two sons, Stephen Jr. and David.

Steve was a man on a mission with a work ethic that made him unforgettable to whoever was lucky enough to meet him.

He was an entrepreneur in the automotive world and knew car parts better than anyone in the business. “Wheelin’ and dealin’” as Stephen loved to say. He loved life on the road and negotiating the next great deal.

What Steve loved most — more than cars— were his two sons. Steve was the type of father that would do anything for them no matter what it took. Getting up early to get the kids to hockey practice, never missing a game no matter what state it was in, driving hours on end to come visit. It didn’t matter the cost, he always put Stephen Jr. and Dave first.

Steve also was a lover of animals, especially his son Dave’s two German short haired pointers, Sophie and Opie, who loved him so much they knocked him down and covered him in slobbery dog kisses every time they saw him.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents Anthony Mantenuto and Constance Casella Mantenuto as well as his sister Mary Ann Sgrosso. He is survived by his son Stephen Mantenuto Jr., David and daughter-in-law Maria Mantenuto, his brothers and sisters Constance Corbett, Charles Mantenuto, James Mantenuto, Jean Standard, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.

While Stephen left this world too early, he left his Mantenuto mark on everyone who was lucky enough to meet his contagious smile or taste his famous chicken cutlets.