Steven Ray Connick

Steven Ray Connick and his twin sister, Susan Kay, were born on November 17, 1952, in Wahoo, NE, to Harold and Ione Connick, joining three siblings. Five more siblings followed as the family relocated at least six times due to Harold's work with the railroad. They often lived in small railroad depots before settling in Lincoln during Steve’s junior high years. Known as a go-getter, Steve always had a job, from being a paper boy to selling sweet corn and raising rabbits. He was always looking to advance. After graduating from Lincoln Northeast in 1971, he continued this drive, starting an exhaust hood cleaning business while attending UNL. Collaborating with General Fire in Lincoln, where the systems were monitored, Steve caught the eye of the company's CEO, eventually selling his cleaning business and joining General Fire as a salesman. 

By 1978, Steve found himself a single dad to daughter Jennifer Lynn. The two were a team, living in Ceresco. He often said that the two of them grew up together. Around that time, Steve was offered a managerial position at the new Omaha branch of General Fire. He and Jenni soon moved to the big “O” to begin their new adventure. One night during happy hour, Steve met Pam Reiman, a cousin of his secretary. The joke was that she told Pam, “it was ok to date him, but not to get serious as he is cheap”. Pam ignored her cousin, and soon Steve, Jenni and Pam were inseparable. On November 27, 1981, the three became one family. 

Over the next few years, Steve helped open branches of General Fire in Des Moines and Sioux City. Two more daughters joined the family, Ashley Marie and Jessica Sue. He began acquiring percentages of the Omaha company, and in 1990, he became the proud owner of General Fire and Safety Equipment of Omaha. During those years it became clear that Steve was far from “cheap”. He was fortunate enough to be able to help family, friends and staff in times of need. One former employee recently stated “Steve hired me when there were no jobs to be had. He saved my family.” That was the type of person Steve was. 

Steve became an avid golfer acquiring the nickname, “C-Man” by his golfing buddies. The girls would often wait for him to get home on Thursday nights to see if there were any winnings to share. He also found a love for fishing, owning a “Boat House” several miles from the Missouri River in Butte, NE, Pam’s hometown. Retirement began to beckon, and when he felt that his beloved General Fire was in capable hands, he sold the business in 2016. Steve and Pam spent time wintering in Arizona as much as possible but, more importantly, he was able to devote even more time doting on their precious grandchildren that had arrived. 

Unfortunately, in June 2023, he was diagnosed with a blood disorder. Hopes of a stem cell transplant were quelled when the disease morphed into acute Myeloid Leukemia. He succumbed to the disease on February 24. 2024 at Josie Harper Hospice House. 

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ione Connick; sister, Linda Feyereisen; brothers, Harold Junior, Dan and Mike and brother-in-Law, Arlen Feyereisen. He is survived by his wife, Pam Connick; daughters, Jennifer Connick, Jessica Connick, Ashley Cushman; son-in-law Brandon Morton; grandchildren, Evelyn and Stevie Jean Cushman, Brayden and Sadie Morton; sisters, Nancy (Wes) Nelson, Susan (Tom) Epp, Elizabeth (Brad) Hamilton, Karen (Stacy) Van Dyke; brother; Kevin (Lori) Connick; aunts, Francis Prewitt, Shirley Thompson, sisters-in-law, Pam Connick, Linda Connick, Vicki Connick and many nieces and nephews..                      

 Visitation: Friday (3/15/2024) 5:00 – 7:00 PM at mortuary. Memorial Service: Saturday (3/16/2024) 11:00 AM at Roeder Mortuary, 2727 N. 108th Street, Omaha, NE.  Burial in Niobrara, NE at a later date. Donations can be made to Apace Foundation in Steven's name. The link is below. 

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - 108th Street Chapel - 2727 N 108th St - Omaha, NE - 402-496-9000 www.RoederMortuary.com