Raymond L. Steptoe or Ray has he was known to many of his friends was born in New York City, August 3rd, 1950. He passed away peacefully in Mount Sinai hospital on August 19th, 2022. He is pre-deceased by his mother, Miriam, father, Wilbur Sr., brother, Wilbur Jr., a.k.a Butch, brother-in-law Tony Maldonado, and daughter, Princess.

Raymond grew up in the Bronx on 140th street and 3rd Avenue. He was educated in the NYC public school system and attended Dewitt Clinton High School, where he played football. After graduating in 1968, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

Raymond was from a military family. His father Wilbur Steptoe Sr. served in WW2. He and his brothers, Wilbur Jr. and Larry served in Vietnam.

Raymond was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant from the United States Marine Corps in 1974. His public service continued as a member of New York’s Finest, where he protected and served the city for over 20 years, first as a patrol man and then as a detective. He retired from the 32nd Precinct in 2000. He then began to work overnights cleaning the post office on 149th street and the Grand Concourse until for health reasons, he fully retired from working in 2009.

Having battled his own demons, Raymond was an organizer of and speaker at AA meetings.

He was an avid New York Giants fan, loved watching movies, listening to old school rhythm and blues, and making frequent trips to Atlantic City. In the last years of his life, he would find peace in sitting by the beach and breathing in the ocean air.

Raymond is survived by his brother, Larry, sister Marionette Maldonado, nephews, Derek and Robair Maldonado, his grandchildren, Kiara, Madison, Olivia, and Xavier, as well as their respective mothers, Latoya Saunders, Andrea Steptoe, and Tanya Bowie and a host of cousins and friends.

Finally, Raymond is survived by his two sons Corey and Eric, and their mother Patricia Diamond. While their marriage did not last until death do them part, they remained friends until the day of his passing.

He will be greatly missed by all who crossed his path.

The Acknowledgement

We gratefully acknowledge the many kindnesses and expressions of sympathy sent to us, by all of you in this time of bereavement. We sincerely appreciate this thoughtfulness and your unselfish concern for all of us. Thank you and God bless you all! The Family

His memorial service will be held on September 10th, 2022, at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Riverdale, New York, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Raymond’s remains will be laid to rest in Calverton National Cemetery, Wading River, New York.