Obituary of Stephen Lowell Brockway

CUYAHOGA FALLS -- Stephen Lowell Brockway died on June 11, 2012. He was born January 8, 1973, to Mary Jo and Lowell Brockway of Cuyahoga Falls. He leaves behind his parents, a brother, John (Angela) Brockway of Brimfield, nieces Abbie and Allie Brockway, grandmother Frances Cramer of Rantoul, Illinois, Aunt Bev (Jim) Schrader and cousin Leeanne Hudson and her children Brielle,Brock, Brenda, Olivia, and Luciana of Decatur, Illinois, Aunt Janet Eggleston of Hoopeston, Illinois, as well as hundreds of friends in the theater community all over the world. Stephen graduated with honors in 1991 from Cuyahoga Falls High School , where he ran cross country and was an active participant in the music department, including M&M's. As an 8th grader, he began participating in Kids on Broadway, a youth theater group based in Bedford, OH, and he was a member of the Children's Chorus of Cleveland Opera until his senior year in high school, when he "graduated" to the Cleveland Opera adult chorus and appeared in several productions during the next few years. While attending Baldwin-Wallace College and Conservatory of Music, he decided that instead of becoming "the next Pavarotti" he would pursue his love of musical theater. He graduated with honors in 1995 and began his career as "Singer-Dancer-Actor". After working in live shows at Cedar Point and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Stephen lived in New York City and honed his craft by appearing in national tours (Grease, Carousel, Will Rogers Follies), regional theater (including 5 times as Tony in West Side Story; Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof, Damn Yankees, and Miss Saigon), and off-Broadway (Meet Me in St. Louis, The Gondoliers, Minnie's Boys). He's also appeared in a national commercial and more recently has increased his work in film. Closer to home, he has performed with Opera Circle (Cleveland) and at Porthouse Theater, Carousel Dinner Theater, and Actors' Summit, where he appeared in Some Enchanted Evening, Main Traveled Roads, Five Course Love, and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Stephen had the privilege of seeing the world as the lead singer on cruise ships. when he traveled to all seven continents, including 48 countries. A proud member of Actors' Equity, he was blessed with a beautiful voice and a talent for playing different characters. He loved sports, all kinds of music, and performing. His family and friends will miss his sense of humor, kind and sensitive spirit, and zest for life and new experiences. Most of all, he was a loyal friend who cherished the friends, both old and new, which he made at home, in the theater community, and during his travels. Friends are invited to Redmon Funeral Home for visitation Friday, 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm and Saturday, 10 to 11 am at Victory Life Church, where Pastor Cyndie Rogers will conduct the funeral service at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Actors' Summit, 103 S. High Street, 6th Floor, Akron OH 44308, Emerge Ministries, 900 Mull Ave., Akron, OH 44313, or the charity of your choice.