Stephen Taft Lowell

Stephen Taft Lowell, 52, of Providence, RI, formerly of Brockton and Martha's Vineyard, died peacefully at his home after a long and courageous battle with cancer on May 18, 2008. Stephen will be forever loved by his soul mate Michelle Curran of New York City, his mother Sally C. Lowell of Brockton, his sisters, Susan Lowell de Solrzano of Washington, DC and Kathryn Lydon of Cohasset, his brother Jonathan Lowell of San Jose, CA, and David Lowell (uncle and comrade) of Mendon. Stephen was the son of the late Ronald T. Lowell. He also leaves behind 2 nephews, David Solrzano Lowell and James Lydon III, and four nieces; Kathryn Solrzano Lowell, Nikita Lowell, Virginia Lowell, and Elizabeth Lydon. Many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends also loved him.

Stephen was a 1973 graduate of Brockton High School where he was a varsity member of the cross-country, track and field, and basketball teams. Stephen held many school records, but his most memorable was made at the 1973 Junior Olympics where he posted a 4:17-mile, a BHS record held for 33 years. Stephen was a major contributor on the 1971-1972 basketball team that reached the final round of the Tech State Tournament at the original Boston Garden. In 1972, he was named the MVP of the BHS Christmas Holiday Tournament. In 2002, his former coaches Jack Lehane, and Ed Delgado inducted Stephen into the Brockton High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Stephen went on to attend Boston College on a Track Scholarship, and graduated in 1977. Again, he was a member of the Outstanding Two Mile Relay Team that ran a 7.31, a Boston College all-time best. Stephen continued his graduate studies at the University of Oregon.

Stephen's love of New England sports was his true passion, and he volunteered for many years at the Boston Marathon and was an active member of the Boston Athletic Association. Stephen was an early pioneer in the recycling movement through his work on Martha's Vineyard, where he owned and operated Vineyard Clean Up for 12 years and was affectionately known as "Trash" Lowell. His love for the arts manifested in many ways, including time exploring watercolors, and writing poetry. Stephen also loved art, poetry, and music of all types, and with his beloved Michelle was an enthusiastic concert- and theater-goer. He had a natural green thumb and loved his garden, especially his back yard lilacs which were in full bloom during his final days. Stephen enjoyed baseball cards and was an avid collector. He worked at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield for the last 11 years. Most recently Stephen had been working on remodeling his home and enjoying his new role of property manager.

Family will welcome friends during the hours of 5-8 on Friday evening, May 23 at Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St. (Rt. 27) Stoughton. Funeral Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Stephen's memory may be made to the Brockton High School Athletic Hall of Fame, c/o John Boutin, Brockton High School, 470 Forest Avenue, Brockton, Ma 02301.