Obituary: Stephen E. Eastman
DANVERS, MA – Stephen Emery Eastman, 60, passed away at home from pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022. Born in Paris, France, he was the son of Harland H. and Nancy (Emery) Eastman. Steve was the husband of Cristi Hollidge, with whom he celebrated 11 years of marriage, and 27 years of love.
Steve resided in the Danvers area for the last 12 years, and prior to that in Merrimac, MA. His father was a career diplomat and Steve grew up overseas in France, Vietnam, Benin, England, Israel, and Morocco. He received a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
Before beginning his career in financial management, Steve served as a Rural Extension Agent in Benin for the Peace Corps where he developed and implemented a fuel conservation program amongst his accomplishments. After the Peace Corps, Steve moved to New York in 1986 to eventually become an Assistant Vice President in the Institutional Banking Group, International, at Chemical Bank in New York City. Steve was responsible for the bank’s relationships with foreign financial institutions in Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the Philippines and Canada. Previously, Steve spent time working on the African and Philippines Desk where he was responsible for institutional and official business in North and Sub-Saharan Africa and the Philippines.
In 1992, Steve left Chemical Bank and moved to Boston, MA to join Scudder, Stevens and Clark where he spent 5 years as an Assistant Vice President in the Global Bond Group. Steve moved to Wellington Management Company, LLP to become an Associate Partner in the Client Relationship Group for 13 years.
Steve was most recently a Managing Director on the Global Institutional Relationship Team at MFS Investment Management in Boston, MA. For the past 12 years, Steve partnered with some of their largest institutional clients across the United States to help them achieve their investment goals.
Steve served on several boards including the American Legation in Tangier, Morocco, the Mousam Lake Region Association in Shapleigh, ME and the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society in Springvale, ME.
Steve’s dedication to his clients and colleagues was evidenced in the deep professional and personal relationships he developed over 35 years in financial management. Once a business meeting was complete, Steve could often be heard speaking about mutual hobbies, and interests or catching up on the latest family news. He was selfless with his time and enjoyed mentoring young people joining the business and supporting colleagues and clients where needed.
Steve was known to be the kindest and most generous person you would ever meet. He would actively go out of his way to help everyone. Steve thrived on meeting and socializing with people, and being active in all his numerous hobbies which included motorcycles, cast iron stoves, outboard motors, forestry and antique cars from the 1960’s. He was known to ‘adopt’ antique boats from the side of road and bring them back to life. Steve would take delight in hiding his purchases and only acknowledge them when Cristi noticed that the garage looked different. When Steve wasn’t taking apart and rebuilding everything mechanical, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends either on their farm or on Mousam Lake in Shapleigh, ME.
Steve had a love for animals, especially cats. As a child, Steve was known for bringing cats home and claiming they were strays even though the cats had collars. His parents would have to return the ‘stray’ cats to their neighbors. Steve and Cristi’s cats have even been featured on a holiday card prompting interesting conversations friends had with their children as to why they cannot have 4 cats too. One of Steve’s beloved cats, Peanut, was by his side until the very end.
In addition to his adored wife, Cristi, Steve is survived by his father, Harland H. Eastman, of Springvale, ME., siblings; Eliza Eastman of Portland, ME, and Saïd Eastman and his wife, Mary Siegel of Westford, MA. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Abigail and Jake Eastman, and Ally and Nick Lombardo. Steve is preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Emery Eastman.
The family would like to thank Dr. David Ryan, Dr. Ted Hong, Dr. Carlos Fernandez-del Castillo, Melissa Woolwine, John Opolski and the rest of the team at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center for their outstanding care during Steve’s cancer journey. We would also like to thank the hospice care team of Gina Dunn and Moses Mugulanya from Care Dimensions.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society, PO Box 276, Springvale ME 04083.
ARRANGEMENTS: Celebrations of life will be announced at a later date. Please check the funeral home’s website for updates. Assisting the family is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (rte. 62) Danvers, MA..
