Stephen John Dalton was a loving father, grandfather, brother, friend, and successful businessman. He passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024 in Crestview, Florida at the age of 60.
Stephen was born on September 30, 1964 in Derby, CT. to Michael and Nancy Dalton. He was a loving brother who took great pride in helping raise his siblings after losing their mother to cancer at a young age. He graduated in 1982 at St. Joseph’s High School, in Trumbell, CT. He went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Salve Regina University in 1986, where he made lifelong memories and friends. Stephen moved to Massachusetts in 1988 where he met his wife Lori, and they began their family. They then moved to Crestview, Florida with family in 2004.
Stephen opened Bay State Cable Ties in 1997 in Leominster, MA and then expanded and moved the company to Crestview, Florida. Stephen made a huge impact on his community in many ways. By providing jobs, giving back, and encouraging people to prioritize their fitness after he started teaching crossfit in his backyard in 2010. Crossfit became a huge hit, leading him to open Crossfit Crestview in 2012. After an extremely successful career, Stephen retired in 2016 to begin traveling and enjoying his life.
Stephen loved his college buddies from Salve Regina, especially Chris and Dino. He had many hobbies that he enjoyed doing such as riding his bike, running marathons/triathlons and doing crossfit with Dan, Dino and Aaron. He loved riding his Harley Davidson with Cole and many other friends. He loved traveling with his children and giving them life experiences. He loved giving back to the community by always lending a helping hand to anyone who needed it.
Stephen is preceded in death by his loving parents, Michael W. Dalton and Nancy Renehan Dalton.
Stephen is survived by his former wife: Lori Phelps Dalton, his children: Ciara (Tanner) Zant, Daniel Dalton and Rylee Dalton, and his grandchildren: Blakely Zant and Dalton Zant. Additionally he is survived by his mother in law: Jeane Phelps, his brothers in law: David Phelps and Doug Phelps, his stepmom: Elizabeth (Bonnie) McFarland Dalton, his brothers & sisters: Michael W. Dalton Jr., Tara (Robert) Sires, Keirsten (Adam) Hallet, David (Amy) Dalton and Sarah (Robert) Muoio along with sixteen nieces and nephews.
Stephen valued his relationship with others, especially his children, close friends, and his former wife Lori who was his best friend. Stephen will be remembered for his generous heart, his contagious laugh, being the life of the party, his determination and drive, and most importantly his love for his friends and family.
Dad, we will miss you for the rest of our lives. Because of you we will always know what it means to work hard but also live life to the fullest, the importance of community, and to always put family first. Thank you for the beautiful lives we lived because of you. We will always cherish the memories we have and keep you in our hearts forever.
carole tucker caparco
December 19, 2024, 2:38 pm
To the Dalton family. I am so sorry for your great loss. My heart goes out to you. Prayers and love to you all. 🙏❤️
William MacKendree, "Mac"
December 19, 2024, 8:59 pm
Fly high and rest in peace. You may have moved on to a better place, but you will never be forgotten.
Mary McVerry
December 19, 2024, 9:04 pm
So sorry to all the Daltons at this time. Prayers and love 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Matthew Y.
December 19, 2024, 9:27 pm
Stephen was such a special person—so friendly, caring, and endlessly kind. He had a gift for making people feel welcome and appreciated, and his absence will be felt deeply.
His friendship, his laughter, and the way he cared for those around him will never be forgotten. He was truly one of a kind, and he will be missed more than words can express.
My heart goes out to his family and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, because we’ve all just lost someone truly special.
Steve Shingara
December 19, 2024, 10:00 pm
So sorry for your loss. I knew Stephen growing up and working with him at ConDiesel Mobile Equipment in Waterbury where he learned about fasteners. He will be missed.
Nancy Lanza
December 19, 2024, 10:01 pm
Dear Lori and Family, so sorry to hear of Stephen’s passing. He was a nice man and I will pray for him. I was shocked to hear the news, and I hope you and the family will accept my deep condolences. Love You, Aunt Nancy.
Keith and Debbie Hansen
December 19, 2024, 10:05 pm
You will definitely be missed. Keith and I will never forget your laugh, and smile. You were always such a happy guy, living life to the fullest, your legacy lives on. Rest in peace! ❤
Mike & Tina Hall
December 19, 2024, 10:07 pm
Rest easy Steve. Thank you for some great memories and friendship.
Condolences and support to Lori, his children, and family during this time.
Pace Raybon
December 19, 2024, 10:18 pm
If not for the kind heart that Stephen had I would have never been able to become bestfriend’s with his son, Daniel. I met Stephen at age 19 when I started hanging with his son. If not for being a kind man and welcoming me into his home, I would have never became close with Daniel or any of the other members of the family. Over seven years later I see his family as an extension of my own. Stephen treated me with respect, humor, and great conversations every time I saw him. He extended his hand out to anyone who was kind to his family. Rest in Peace Mr. Stephen Dalton.
Regena Moore
December 19, 2024, 11:45 pm
I was so very sorry to hear about Mr. Dalton’s passing. I knew him for a short time while teaching his beautiful daughter, Rylee. He was always a joy to speak with and always supportive. Rylee, I will be praying for you and your sweet family.
Love to you all,
Gena (McLaney) Moore
Acacia Suero
December 20, 2024, 2:08 am
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Uncle Stephen. His kindness and sense of humor will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the rest of the family during this difficult time.
May the love and memories you shared bring comfort in the days ahead. I will always cherish the memories I had the opportunity to share with you.
Rest in peace Uncle Stephen.
Until we meet again.
With heartfelt condolences,
Acacia Suero
Rylee Guthrie
December 20, 2024, 2:19 am
You will be so missed Steve. Not just by your family but by every person who had a relationship with you. Your personality was infectious and you were a kind, good hearted, hardworking man, husband, and father. Thank you for welcoming me into your family with arms wide open. Thank you for raising my best friend and moving your whole family to a little town named Crestview Florida so I could get to know and love you all. I am so honored to have so many wonderful memories with you in them. I promise to always reminisce with Ciara and be thankful that we have these memories with you.
LJ I am wishing you peace and strength as you navigate through this while also holding your kids hands along the way. I love you.
Ciara, Dan, and Ry I love you all so much and my heart aches for you but I know your dad will be with you guys always.
Carla Standridge
December 20, 2024, 4:35 am
My late son Seth thought the world of Steve! They had many laughs together at JJ’s and Sorobol. I know they are laughing again with no more pain or worries. I am deeply sorry for your loss. He touched many lives and leaves a legacy in his children – praying for all of you
Love,Nancy
December 20, 2024, 1:26 pm
Lori and Family,
Sending all my Love and Hugs to you all! I remember working at cable ties in Leominster to help when needed and then getting to pop in and say hi when I was in Florida.
I will be thinking of you all,
Ashley Humphrey
December 20, 2024, 4:21 pm
So many great memories, so many people shared with you, Steve! You will be missed. Much love to you all!
Maureen C. Dalton
December 20, 2024, 4:44 pm
I am so sorry for your loss and that I didn’t get to know him. Michael Dalton was my cousin and good friend and Nancy and I were classmates at Lauralton Hall. I moved to Florida many years ago and lost touch with them. Steve sounds like an amazing man and my prayers are with you for peace
gina Lussier
December 27, 2024, 8:13 pm
RIP to a great, fun loving guy! Will always remember all the fun we had in New Haven in our twenties when you used to tag along with me, Tara and my sister. Love to the Dalton family knowing that Stephen was met in heaven in with his beloved mom and dad.
Adora McElheney
December 27, 2024, 10:39 pm
I am just getting word of Steve’s passing. Lori, my heart goes out to you and the children. Praying that you all find some peace and comfort in knowing he’s no longer suffering. Steve was a great man, leader and believed in second chances he took care of a lot of people in the community by employing people that couldn’t get jobs in other place due to past experiences. We will always remember and appreciate Steve. May he rest in heaven