Steven Thomas Kerxhalli

HOLDEN - Steven Thomas Kerxhalli, 91, died Sunday, December 11, 2022, with his family at his bedside. He did not live one day of his life without being deeply loved. He leaves his two devoted daughters and sons-in-law, Valerie Kerxhalli and husband, Jesse Caplan and Audrey Kerxhalli and husband, Robert Kleinfield; his precious grandchildren, Joshua and fiancée, Emmy Calloway, Michaela, Lily, Isabelle, and Rose; his cherished younger brother, George and his wife, Teuta, as well as his sisters-in-law, Helen Kerxhalli and Blanche Christo, and many dear nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by the love of his life, Elvira Christo Kerxhalli, his beloved sister, Resha Chekani, and loving brothers, Mentor and Dukagjin.

Steven was born in Oxford, MA, son of Thanas and Olga (Laska) Kerxhalli. He was quick to share many happy memories of his early life on the small family farm in Oxford, as well as of his years growing up in the heart of his warm, Albanian community in Worcester, MA. As an adult, he helped run several of the Albanian Festivals sponsored by St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church. He served in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1955 and subsequently earned degrees from both Clark University and Boston University. But his most prized accomplishment was winning the love of his bride Elvira, whom he missed with all his heart since her death in 2011.

Steven was a science teacher and head of the science department at Kennedy Jr. High in Natick, MA from 1960 until his retirement in 1996. He ran the school science fair and worked with many wonderful colleagues. As in all of life, he showed dedication, skill, and reliability. Outside of family and work, he was an avid reader and loved the New England landscape and all things natural. He spent many happy hours fishing and he even built his own canoe. Steve was also a skilled storyteller, and during their childhood, his grandchildren enjoyed many creative “talk stories” while sitting at his knee. His inspirations in life were his mother and siblings, whom he credited with instilling the many virtues he embodied. As old age began to take its toll, he never lost a sense of gratitude and surprise at his decades of good fortune, often ending anecdotes with a note of awe: “How can one man be so lucky?”

Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, December 15, from 9:30 am - 11:00 am, followed immediately by the funeral service at 11:00 am, at St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA. The family requests that attendees wear masks. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church. Arrangements are under the care of Philip G. Haddad, Jr. of Miles Funeral Home. To share a message or offer a condolence, please visit www.milesfuneralhome.com

MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL