August 25 1928 May 2 2020
Steve Showang Oh August 25, 1928 – May 2, 2020 On Saturday, May 2, 2020, Steve ShoWang Oh, loving husband, and father of three children, passed away at age 92. Steve was born on August 25th, 1928 in Pyong Yang, North Korea. He was the youngest of 6 children. On July 9, 1960, he married Grace GiSil Jun and raised two sons, ChunKeun and ChunMan (Jason), and a daughter, ChunHee (Kay). Steve was in his twenties during the Korean War. He was able to escape North Korea with his mother and 4 brothers to South Korea. Though his father had passed away in North Korea when Steve was seven years old, he was separated from his older sister and she remained there. Steve missed his sister very much all the years…but miraculously found his sister living in North Korea and managed to communicate through letters for many years until she passed away. While serving in the Korean military, Steve had the opportunity to visit the United States on several occasions. Unsuccessful at making a living during difficult economic times in Korea from a wide range of jobs like Café owner to the taxi driver, Steve immigrated with his family to the United States in December 1971 to pursue the “American Dream” with no money and two boxes of ramen. He had to borrow $1500 from a friend to begin his life in the US. In the pursuit of a better life for his family, Steve took on two jobs one as an auto mechanic during the day and a second as a Custodian at night. After many years of working two jobs, he saved enough money to buy a liquor store in Brooklyn. The liquor store provided financial stability but only at a cost. With his wife working as a Nurse and himself running the Liquor Store, they saved up enough to purchase their first home on Livermore Ave Staten Island. For 13 years, Steve commuted 40 miles daily 6 days a week with little to no sick or vacation days to a liquor store where transactions were conducted through a bullet-proof window. For protection at store closing, Steve was armed with a pistol and wore a bullet-proof vest. Steve was strict and serious by most accounts evidenced by his upside-down smile in most of all the family photos but he also had a very personable side when dealing with people. His dedication to his family was second to none making sure his children had opportunities that he did not have. Steve was an active member of the Korean Catholic Church on Staten Island. He had a wonderful voice and enjoyed singing in the Choir. Steve lived a full and joyful life. He was respected and loved by many who knew him. He will be missed. He now joins all the members of his family whom he missed so much. May he forever rest in peace. Steve is survived by his wife Grace and his three children, ChunKeun (wife Kristine children Emily and Russell), ChunHee “Kay” (husband Richard children Matthew and Teddy), and ChunMan “Jason” (wife Songhee). My grandfather was a man of great pride in his family and the accomplishments in the lives of those he paved the way for. A husband, a father of three and a grandfather of four. I will always remember how he greeted me with a firm handshake and a big smile as his eyes would light up in amazement at how much I had grown into a man from the little boy he remembered. Since I was young, he knew my love for basketball and would always call me “NBA,” even into my college years and it became a sort of our inside joke. Although I could not decipher his stories and life experiences firsthand, my mother has often relayed the hardships and obstacles my grandfather and grandmother endured that in-turn enabled life of endless opportunity that I will be forever grateful for. I wish I were able to express my gratitude and appreciation I have for him and all he has done. I will always remember my grandfather and will forever hold the years I shared with him close to my heart. I will always remember my grandfather’s face, how proud of his grandchildren he was, and how he was always smiling when he saw us. All the family gatherings at the Staten Island house lounging in the big brown couch (that I’m having trouble throwing away). The “big man” and other compliments the grandchildren have become accustomed to hearing. TheKonglish conversations. While I couldn’t understand all his stories directly, the ones that were translated and told me of him continue to make me smile. I was lucky the last time I saw him he had the happiest smiles, enjoying his favorite food and talking about coming to Robin and I’s wedding (lol). That memory perfectly illustrates how I thought of him and will continue to remember him.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Steve Showang Oh August 25 1928 May 2 2020.
Central Funeral Home (New-York and New Jersey)
Death notice for the town of: -, state: New York,New Jersey