Steven K. Gannaway

Steven K. Gannaway

After a life full of family, friends, teaching, Christian writing, mathematics, reading, history, cooking, playing with his children on the beach, coaching basketball, soccer and baseball, and other fun and passionate pursuits, Steve, faithful servant of Jesus, loving husband, son, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend went home to be with the Lord on All Saints Day, November 1, 2026. Steve peacefully transitioned to his eternal home in Heaven to be whole and healed with his Savior. He leaves behind his wife, Mary and his two children, Rick and Soriya who already miss him dearly.

Steve will be remembered for his Christmas poems and other writings, his ready greeting, concern for others, love of family, and, especially, his desire to love and serve God. He treated everyone with dignity and spoke to people as if he had all the time in the world.

His faith, his dedication to his family, and his willingness to work hard were values that guided him throughout his life. Above all else, Steve was a family man. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather whose greatest happiness came not from material possessions or personal accomplishments, but from being surrounded by those he loved.

He attended Crosier High School Seminary in Onamia, MN from 1970 to 1974 discerning a vocation to the priesthood. In 1979, he earned a Bachelors degree in theology and history from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. In 1985, he obtained a Masters degree in Religious Studies from Providence College. Sixteen years later, he was awarded a Masters degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern Maine. While he was pleased to accept the degrees, he was happier still for the learning he acquired at these institutions and the opportunities they provided for more learning.

Born December 15, 1955 and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota by his parents, Richard and Florence Gannaway, he moved to Fargo, North Dakota, in 1979 to work in adult education for the Fargo Catholic Diocese and, then, to teach moral theology at the Fargo Catholic Shanley High School. In 1985, Steve moved to Springvale, Maine to marry Mary Gillings and raise a family. For nineteen years, he taught mathematics and computer programming at Windham High School. He considered the two-hour daily commute a small price to pay for the pleasure of teaching the students in Windham and working with the members of the staff. He was always proud of this association. Steve also taught computer programming at USM.

In Gannaway’s last years at WHS, Parkinson’s disease made teaching full-time increasingly difficult. It finally prompted an early retirement in the spring of 2007. He couldn’t stay away from teaching long, however, and by July was teaching part-time in the Sanford Community Adult Education academic programs.

With a vision and a dream, Steve made his mark on the Sanford community and helped many people along the way.

He was a communicant of St. Ignatius and St. Therese Parish. Receiving Holy Communion was the most important part of Steve’s life. He taught religious education and was a lector. Steve was a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus, enjoyed the daily TV Mass when he was not well enough to go to Mass in person, public rosaries, and being an ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology and Service) member.

Mr. Gannaway is predeceased by his parents, Richard and Florence and his wonderful daughter, Brigid Mary. He is survived by Mary Gillings, his wife of forty-one years, and his beloved children, Rick (Kristi), and Soriya. He is also survived by five siblings, Chris (Connie) of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Lynn (Rich) Reid, Jill and Susie of Boise, ID, Scott of Emily, MN, Sister- in -law Cynthia McConnell of Port Charlotte, FL., his grand blessings, Emmy and Elliot, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 7, at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Church of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, 66 North Ave. in Sanford, Maine followed by an interment at St. Ignatius Cemetery, 64 Berwick, Rd. Sanford, ME.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider having a Mass said for Steve at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, or a donation to Courage Lives in Bangor, Maine, the Maine Right to Life, or The Sanford High School Alternative Program, 917 Main St. Suite 200 Sanford, ME 04073

Closing thought from Steve:

It has been a comfort to be so loved by God. John’s Gospel has a glorious passage that I always loved. God spoke over the earth and His Word took flesh, becoming one with us while retaining His divinity. The Word shines as a Light to guide us through life. This same Word of God is a Light to lead me now to God.

As I leave you, I thank you for all that you have done and been for me in life. It has been a joy to know you here and I look forward to seeing you in the hereafter.