Stephen L. Eastman

Stephen Lewis Eastman, of Waltham, formerly of Belmont, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 1, 202023,23 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge with family by his side.  He contracted an infection brought on by a compromised immune system and cancer treatments.  He was 68 years old.

Stephen, lovingly known to friends as “Eastie” was born in Waltham MA. He was a son of the late Allan Eastman and Marialyce (Drinan) Eastman.

He leaves his former wife and friend, Jane S. (Lawson) Eastman of Hudson MA; his sister, Noreen (Eastman) Regal of Methuen and her children nephew Sean, nieces Karyn, Reene & Allison, great niece, Alexandra Marie Coco, “like a brother” cousin, David Connelly and several additional cousins. He also leaves niece Jessica Lawson and her sons, Huxley and Sawyer Lawson, Carolyn Moritz Lawson (stepmother-in-law) of Port Charlotte FL, Alan Missel (partner of Jane Eastman) of Hudson MA, sister-in-law Elizabeth (Harrington Lawson) Douglass, Land O’Lakes Florida and many wonderful friends throughout his life.

He was predeceased by his brother Allan Eastman, brothers-in-law John Regal and Mark Lawson, father-in-law Bruce Lawson, mother-in-law, Sara (Triscari) Lawson, aunts Barbara Connelly, Kay Maloney and uncle Edward Maloney.

Stephen joined the United States Air Force in 1972 serving 2 years 10 months & 7 days, as he would tell you, until his job became civilian. He would say “the draft was the only lottery he ever won” drawing number six based on his birthday.  As sole surviving son, he had draft options but wanted to join in honor of his brother Allan, a casualty of the Vietnam war. Stephen’s tours included San Antonio TX and Kinchloe MI as a hospital plant operator. In Michigan where they have subzero temperatures, he commented that “the Bird comes to me” as heat was a priority.  Prior to entering the service, he attended Belmont MA High School and completed senior year with several bunkmates at Rudyard MI High School.

Back home, he worked for Smith Corona Typewriter as a service tech, Pinkerton Security, RIS Trucking and EA Carvotta Heating.

He was active with the VFWs in Belmont and Waltham, the Hibernian Club in Watertown and then joined the American Legion Hill Post 156 in Waltham. He enjoyed preparing veterans dinners for holidays and special events.  He played in the corn hole league at the French American Club, Waltham and darts at the Hibernians.  While on a trip to Hawaii for his fifth wedding anniversary, he challenged the local champ to a game of darts and won.

As a teenager, he was a muscle car fan.  He owned a yellow Barracuda fastback in Michigan. Unfortunately, it was totaled while parked at the barracks. Back home he had a red Ford Comet convertible. Mark Lawson, his friend, had a white one.  They were often seen driving around in Belmont.  Next, he drove a Dodge van with opera windows which was very “in” at that time. His next vehicle was a black Ford F150 and then back to Dodge Caravans.  He used 'Caravanman' for a pen name.

The family enjoyed summers at Plum Island, MA.  Later they enjoyed a family cottage at North River Lake, Barrington NH.  He expressed to have some ashes spread there as the family did for his mother.  A ceremony at the lake will be planned for a later date.  Final internment will be in Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham.

Family and friends will honor and remember Stephen’s life by gathering on Thursday, March 9^th at Joseph F. Hill Waltham Post No 156 American Legion, 215 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham where his Memorial Service will begin at 1 p.m. followed by a collation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to Joseph F. Hill Waltham Post No 156 American Legion Post Band, 215 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham MA 02452 or New England Center and Home for Veterans, 17 Court St #2601, Boston, MA 02108 or a charity of your choice.