GREENBUSH – Stephen Leo Chabe, 64, passed away February 3, 2016, at an area hospital while surrounded by people that he loved. He was born in Old Town, July 8, 1951, the son of Leo Joseph Chabe and Marie (LaBree) O’Keefe.
Steve grew up in Milford, ME, where one of his fondest memories of childhood was spending time with his late uncle Francis LaBree, who would take him flying in his personal aircraft. Steve attended Milford and Old Town schools and worked for many years at Champion in Greenbush, and later worked as a maintenance planner at PERC in Orrington.
Steve was artistically gifted and enjoyed many forms of art, but he was especially known for his beautiful paintings. He enjoyed giving his artwork to people that he loved so they could get as much enjoyment from them as he did making them. His other lifelong passion was in music. Steve played many instruments, but his real love was for the guitar. He was a self-taught guitarist from a very young age, and continued to play until the very end. He enjoyed playing in multiple bands throughout his life. He also loved rebuilding guitars, teaching others to play them, and enjoyed spending time with friends and family making music in his garage. Other hobbies include fishing, cooking, spending time at Pushaw Lake with his family, boating and being near the ocean. Steve was truly a jack of all trades, and was able to repair or craft anything he set his mind to, including building his beautiful home in Greenbush in 1985.
In 2001, Steve travelled to China, where he met his loving wife of 14 years, Lina Shen. He enjoyed sharing stories of his experience there, as well as showing photographs and art pieces that he picked up while he was there.
Steve was predeceased by his father, Leo Chabe of Minot; stepfather, Linwood O’Keefe of Milford; brothers, Mark Chabe of New Gloucester, ME, and David Chabe of Fayette, ME; niece, Amber O’Keefe; and his close friend, Roger Garceau.
Survivors include his wife, Lina Shen and stepdaughter, Lin Li, of Greenbush; his children from his previous marriage to Christine (Comstock) Sapiel: Matthew S. Chabe and wife, Elizabeth, of Bangor, and Erin S. Chabe and husband, Anthony, of Bradley; three granddaughters, Adeline, James and Griffin; his mother, Marie O’Keefe of Milford; sisters, Brenda Tucker and husband, Paul, of Milford, Paula Soloby and husband, Bill, of Voorhees, NJ, Beth O’Keefe and partner, Merle, of Greenfield and Lisa McDonald and husband, Patrick, of Lecanto, FL; and brothers, Chris O’Keefe and wife, Patty, of Falmouth, MA, Brent O’Keefe and wife, Terry, of Milford and Todd O’Keefe of Milford. Steve is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews whom he loved fondly.
Family and friends are encouraged to join us in celebrating Steve’s life at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, on February 20, 1-3 p.m.