Cribbage player, sports fan, youth soccer coach, engineer
Steve Franzeim. (Courtesy photo)
Steven Boyd Franzeim of Eldridge Road, 76, a resident of Harvard since 1982, died Jan. 18 from a stroke he suffered Jan. 14.
Steve was born in Melrose in 1946 to Isabelle and Fred Franzeim. He grew up in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, and attended Dartmouth College in the Class of ’67. He earned a bachelor’s degree of arts and science at Dartmouth and spent most of his career working as a software engineer.
Undoubtedly Steve’s greatest role in life was that of devoted husband and dedicated father. His wife, Chris, recognized him to be a man of playful intelligence, good humor, and curiosity. They were married June 19, 1971, and their love for each other shaped their lives. Together they explored the country from the mountains of New Hampshire and the coastline of Maine to the Presidio of San Francisco and every museum Chris could find along the way. Mostly they visited friends, which included Chris’ former students and other meaningful connections they’d made together. Steve valued the friendships he made in high school, at Dartmouth, at summer vacations at Goose Rocks Beach, and in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He joked that his season pass, earned from employment at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, was the accomplishment his Dartmouth fraternity brothers would most admire.
Steve’s interests included a passion for ceramics. He was inspired by his instructor, Makoto Yabe at DeCordova Museum, and became quite gifted at the craft. He was an avid sports fan and participant, a Boston sports loyalist who grew up playing basketball and soccer. He played soccer at college and well into his 60s with the over-the-hill league in town. He enjoyed coaching his children’s teams over the years and was exceptionally proud of his role as a coach of his daughter’s team that won the state championship in 1995. He coached a Harvard girls team with his daughter as recently as 2018. Steve’s time spent with his kids and as their soccer coach was where the lifelong friendships he cultivated with them took root.
Steve had a unique intelligence and perspective. Steadfast and thoughtful, there was no favor asked of him that he would deny. He had an inexhaustible willingness to share his home and his heart with others, including countless faithful dogs—like Homer, his German shorthaired pointer, who watched over him in his final hours. He loved his family with his whole heart. He was the best of men, and he will be deeply missed.
Steve is survived by his son Paul Franzeim, daughter Emma Franzeim, her partner Josh Borgeson, and her stepdaughter Adelheid Borgeson. Steve is also survived by his sisters, Widge Kent and Barbara Franzeim; Widge’s husband David Kent; their daughter Sarah Kent; her husband Ramon Ruiz; and their son Enrique Ruiz; by Barbara’s husband Tim Sult; and by his brother-in-law John Keenan. Steve’s wife of 40-plus years, Christine Franzeim, predeceased him in 2014.
A gathering to celebrate Steve’s life will be held in mid-May. For details on the event and on how to support the family at this difficult time please reach out to stories4steve@gmail.com.
