April 22, 1954 - Sept. 22, 2011

Steve Alan Anaya, 57, passed away peacefully in his home in Grass Valley, Calif., the morning of Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011.

He was born on April 22, 1954, in Bakersfield, Calif., the second of 11 children born to Henry and Dolores Anaya. Steve graduated from Fortuna Union High School in 1972, where he ran cross-county track and field. He worked at Pacific Lumber Company in Scotia, Calif., before moving with his daughters to Atwater, Calif., to be closer to his parents. The family then relocated to Grass Valley, Calif. He then divided his time between Grass Valley and Fortuna, before eventually settling down in Grass Valley, where he spent his final years.

Steve was a life-long San Francisco Giants and Seattle Seahawks fan, and enjoyed playing softball in his spare time. He participated in Boy Scouts as a child with his brothers and father. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and he always said that his greatest achievement was becoming a father and raising his two beautiful daughters, Julie and Jenny or “pooter” and “peanut” as he called them. He loved kids and was loved by them in return, so much so that he frequently held the title of “favorite uncle.” One of his favorite things to do was just hang out with his siblings, barbecue, watch a funny movie and laugh. Steve loved to spend time with his family. His brothers and sisters were, and always will be, his best friends.

Steve is preceded

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in death by his father, Henry George Anaya, Sr.; his son, Travis Anaya; his grandson, Landon Nally; and his beloved husky, Boozer. He is survived by his mother, Dolores Anaya; daughter, Julie Nally and son-in-law, Stephen Nally and their children, Zander, Braylon and Syler; and daughter, Jenny Miller and son-in-law, Ben Miller, and their children, Melia and Halle with a third granddaughter on the way. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Henry George Anaya, Jr. and his wife, Denise and their two children; Hope King and husband Kit and their three children; Jack Anaya and his five children; Dorothy Anaya and her three children; Mike Anaya and his wife, Tina and their two children; Faith Rosales and her husband J.R. and their three children; Rick Anaya and his wife, Stephanie and their four children; Tim Anaya and his wife, Suzie and their two children; Tina Anaya andher fiancé, Logan Twitchell and their three children; and Ray Anaya and his wife, Michelle and their five children. He leaves behind life-long friends: Aaron Johnson; Martin Sanchezand his wife, Jeannie, and their two children; brother-in-law and friend, Glen Cartwright; Kelly O'Donald and his wife, Sandy and their two children; Steve Dibble and his wife, Rhonda and their two children; as well as countless aunts, uncles, cousins and great-nieces and nephews.

Steve could light up a room with his laughter. His cheesy jokes will be his legacy and his family and friends will forever have the memories they created over the years to look back on and smile. His daughters can take comfort in that he will surely be there, with their grandfather, watching over them and his grandchildren that they loved so much.

His family would like to show appreciation to Grass Valley Hospice of the Foothills and their staff for making Steve's last days comfortable, and request that any donations be made to Hospice of the Foothills, 11270 Rough and Ready Highway, Grass Valley, CA 95945. If there are angels on Earth, you are among them.

A service to remember Steve and the memories he left with us will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 at St. Patrick's Church in Grass Valley, Calif., at 1 p.m., with a reception to follow.