ORLANDO, Fla. — Stephen David Gidus, age 50, of Orlando, Fla., formerly of Ashtabula, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 8, 2012. He won his fight to eternal life with the Lord after battling cancer. He was circled in love at the time of his passing with his loving family and close friends.
Stephen was well known in the community for his strong faith and family values along with exemplary work ethic. Stephen was a devoted husband to wife, Tara, and father to two young boys, Basil, 5, and Levi, 3.
Stephen was a custom home builder. He was in business with his brother, Paul, and owned PSG Construction in Orlando. More recently, he started a consulting business called REMODology and wrote five books for the remodeling construction industry.
Stephen had a passion for running and finished 17 marathons, including the Boston Marathon twice. He and his wife, Tara, ran two marathons on their honeymoon in Paris and London.
Stephen had a passion for helping the homeless. He organized a clothing drive for the Coalition of the Homeless in downtown Orlando for twenty years. The foundation of Stephen’s life was his strong faith. He attended the Orthodox Church of St. Stephen in Longwood, where he was a reader and active on the building committee and parish council. He went on several mission trips to Guatemala, Africa, and Mexico to spread his strong Christian faith. Next to his faith, his family was the most important thing to him.
Along with his wife and sons, he is survived by his father and mother, Tim and Marie Gidus; and his siblings, Ann Marie Mecera, Paul Gidus and James Gidus, along with their spouses and seven nieces and nephews.
Stephen had a traditional Christian Orthodox funeral and burial. Services were held at the Orthodox Church of St. Stephen, 1895 Lake Emma Road, Longwood, Fla. 32750 and in the Lee Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 106 E. Church St., Orlando, Fla. 32801.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following: Orthodox Church of St. Stephen (address above), the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, 639 W. Central Blvd., Orlando, Fla. 32801, or to First Presbyterian Church of Orlando (address above). The money donated to First Presbyterian will be allocated to the daycare and preschool that Stephen’s sons attend. In all donations please note In Memory of Stephen Gidus.
DOBBS FUNERAL HOME has been entrusted with arrangements. Obituary and condolences at starbeacon.com.
