Steve G. Basic

Steve G. Basic, 85, entered eternal rest on April 15, 2014, after a long-term fight with Parkinson’s disease. Steve was born on September 19, 1928 in Konjsko Brdo, Perušić, Lika, Croatia, the youngest child of Stipe and Ana Manda (Obućina) Bašić. In May 1938, he immigrated to the United States with his mother, joining his father in New York City. The family lived in Hell’s Kitchen on the west side of Manhattan, where they were devoted parishioners of Saints Cyril and Methodius (and later Saint Raphael) Croatian Catholic Church. Steve’s devotion to the church was legendary and a constant throughout his life, even after he married and moved to New Jersey: he served as, among other things, altar boy, choir member, usher, President of the Cardinal Stepinac Folklore Group, and President of the Holy Name Society and was instrumental in the Church’s move from its original location on 50th Street to 41st Street, its purchase of the Croatian Highland in Boonton, NJ and in the renaming of Lincoln Tunnel Access Road to Cardinal Stepinac Place. Steve was an outgoing charismatic force of nature who embraced his new country while remaining a staunch advocate of his homeland. He was a tireless and relentless activist for Croatian independence, who rejoiced when Croatia became a sovereign nation in 1992. Steve was fiercely loyal and generous to his friends and extended family in the United States, Canada, and Croatia. His ability to make friends with people from all walks of life was legendary; few could resist his charm and magnetic personality. Steve was a man of many interests and passions. He loved to travel, which was evident in his choice of career as a travelling salesman for the home furnishing industry in the Eastern United States, as well as his penchant for visiting relatives and friends throughout the United States and Canada. He was a die-hard fan and, for many years, a season ticketholder of the NY Rangers; during the summers, he was a fan of the NY Yankees. A long-time member of the Croatian Philatelic Society, he was also an amateur numismatist and genealogist. Steve is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan (née Zaninovich), his daughter, Anne Marie of New York City, his son, Stephen of Oradell, NJ, his granddaughter, Mikayla Rose of Hillsborough, NJ, his brother, Michael of Alturas, CA, numerous nieces and nephews, and other extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his daughter, Mary K., his parents, his brother, Joseph, and his sister, Kaja. Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Friday 4-7 PM at Volk Leber Funeral Home, 268 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell. A graveside service will be held Saturday, 11AM at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, NY. .