ROCKLAND – Wayne S. Steeves, 70, died June 8, 2017, surrounded by his family at the Sussman House in Rockport after a long illness.

Born in Rockland on June 12, 1946, he was the son of Charles S. and Edna Lathrop Steeves. He was educated in Rockland schools.

Wayne first worked with his father, servicing oil burners. He then worked at various jobs, including Hugh Little Poultry, until his marriage to Carlene Mary Walker on April 24, 1965.

The couple lived in Rockland until moving to Quincy, Mass., in 1967. Wayne worked as a Teamsters truck driver with Greater Boston Distributors. The Steeves' bought a home in Randolph, Mass., where they raised their family. During this same period, with his good friend, Bobby O'Brien, Wayne ran B & W Construction Company.

In 1992, pursuing a life-long dream, Wayne and Carlene returned to Rockland, where they established the Rockland Café, which quickly became a popular Rockland eatery. Wayne was the smiling face that welcomed everyone to the restaurant early in the morning and he enjoyed the camaraderie at the “Liars Table” each day. Wayne involved his family in the operation of the Café, teaching them the ins-and-outs of that business, which continues today under their leadership.

In association with operation of the Café, Wayne was always pleased to support the community in any way he could. For many years he sponsored the Whoopie-Pie Eating Contest as part of the annual Rockland Summer Solstice Celebration, as well as sponsoring ball teams.

He particularly enjoyed spending summers at the cottage on Crawford Pond, gambling at Hollywood Slots, golfing often at the Rockland Golf Club where he was a member, and his annual road trip to visit his sister in Minnesota. Wayne looked forward every year to his hunting trip with all his hunting buddies in Canada, where he enjoyed serving as camp cook. On two separate hunting trips with Bobby O'Brien, he bagged two moose, one in the Allagash and one in Alaska.

Family was most important to Wayne. He was thrilled to have them around and was always willing to help in good times and even the bad.

In addition to his parents, Wayne was predeceased by his son, Steven Wayne Steeves in 2016; and three brothers, Richard “Dickie” Steeves in 2015, John Skinner in 2016 and Frederick Steeves in 2017. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Carlene Steeves of Rockland; four daughters, Shawna Steeves of East Bridgewater, Mass., Charla Prescott and her companion, Harold Doak, of Rockland, Darlene Gleba and her husband, John, of Owls Head, and Tammy Willette and her husband, Shawn, of Rockland; nine grandchildren, Nichole and Kenny McNeil, Donald and Christopher Prescott, Kyle and Makayla Gleba, Erica and Shawn Willette, and Bradley Steeves; two great-grandchildren, Liam Prescott and Charlie Lynn-Marie Rancourt; his siblings and their spouses, Ruth Knight of Florida, Priscilla Lundevall of Rockland, Mrs. Frederick (Nancy) Steeves of Vassalboro, Mrs. Richard (Judith) Steeves of Rockland, Alaide and James Hooper of Minnesota, and Leslie Steeves of Rockland; many nieces and nephews, as well as many extended family members and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, June 14, from 4 to 8 pm. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street in Rockland, where a funeral service will be held Thursday, June 15, at 2 p.m. The Rev. Jeffrey Sprous will officiate. A celebration of Wayne's life will continue Thusdat, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Rockland Golf Club, 606 Old County Road.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Wayne Steeves' memory to the Cancer foundation of one's choice.