Stephen Eugene Beatty

Stephen Eugene Beatty, 60, of Slippery Rock, Pa., passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, Monday, April 12, 2021.

He was born in Ridgeway, Pa., on March 13, 1961, to William Thomas Beatty Sr. and Katherine Gates Beatty.

Raised in Slippery Rock, Steve graduated from Slippery Rock High School in 1980, and the University of Pittsburgh in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Steve started his life excelling on the basketball court. In high school and college, his organized basketball play brought lasting excitement and energy to all who watched him play.

Accepting a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, at 6’10” Steve was a standout on the Panthers basketball team. He played at Pitt during the big-time of the Big East post players. During his time at Pitt in the summer of 1982, Steve was selected as a member of the Big East basketball all-star team, which traveled overseas to play in Angola as part of an international relations tour.

After graduation from college, Steve moved to Orlando, Fla., where he started working in the hotel industry at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel, WDW. He married in 1987 and moved to the West Coast of Florida where he continued in hotel management. He also taught, and coached basketball at Annsworth Montessori Academy, where his son attended school.

After moving back to Slippery Rock in 2003, he worked for Three Rivers Aggregate for 17 years.

Steve was an outstanding basketball player in his youth and being best known for being one of Slippery Rock High School’s greatest athletes, he was inducted into the Slippery Rock High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

Steve achieved much in basketball; however, he was an even better person. He was a hard worker. He was competitive, but caring and kind hearted. He spent time coaching with Special Olympics and was always willing to lend a helping hand wherever he was. He was dedicated to his family and had a love for his hometown and the great outdoors. He was a history buff and was a voracious reader.

An all-around avid sports fan, he enjoyed playing golf and was a hardcore Steelers fan. Steve and his son made it to every home game in the 2019 season. They also enjoyed hunting and fishing together. From his son, Shawn, “My dad was the best dad in the entire world.”

Steve’s family would like to thank Cheri Youngblood and their son, Shawn, for their attentive and comforting care for our brother, Steve. They would also like to thank UPMC Family Hospice and their “angel nurse,” Mason.

Steve is survived by his son, Shawn T. Beatty; his sister, Barbara K. Pink; his two brothers, William T. Beatty Jr. (Peggy) and Joseph A. Beatty (Sara); and his five nephews and four nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Gary Pink.

BEATTY — A celebration of life service for Stephen Eugene Beatty, who died Monday, April 12, 2021, will be observed later. Arrangements are being handled by SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.