STEVEN AUSTIN MCGREAL

Posted on July 17, 2025

Steven Austin McGreal, known affectionately as “Honey, Love of my Life, Dad, Grandpa, PawPaw, and Uncle Steve,” passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, in his sleep on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

He was just weeks away from his 72nd birthday – a milestone he was looking forward to celebrating, especially with his beloved wife, Barbara, whose birthday is close to his. They loved celebrating their birthdays together!

Born July 20, 1953, Steve lived a life full of laughter, generosity and adventure.

Steven never missed an opportunity to gather with family and friends; he loved a good party and any excuse to celebrate with the people he loved.

He was the kind of man who could light up a room with his humor and leave everyone smiling with one of his legendary practical jokes.

A true entertainer at heart, Steve made it his mission to make others feel welcomed and loved – usually with a hearty hug and a noogy, just to keep things interesting. Over the years, he built a life centered around love, laughter and connection.

He had a unique ability to make people feel seen and special – usually with a joke, a story or a warm, unmistakably Steve-style hug.

He was, in every sense, a big-hearted teddy bear – always ready to help, to cheer you up or to simply sit beside you and make the world feel a little lighter.

His spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Steven retired from the Florida Department of Corrections after 23 years of service, where he started as a mason and retired as Superintendent of Maintenance and Construction at Union Correctional Facility in Raiford.

He earned many recognitions and accolades through his many years of service.

Steve also dedicated 14 years to Allied Securities, providing security for TECO in Tampa, where he received many recognitions and awards during his service.

This is where he ultimately retired from in May 2022.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 23 years (28 years together) and best friend, Barbara (Barbie), who he loved truly, madly, deeply.

They shared countless adventures, beach days, casino trips, dancing nights and deep, genuine laughter and passion for enjoying the life they created. T

heir bond was strong and full of joy – an example of love lived fully and out loud.

Steve is also survived by: his sons, Rick (Christine), Jeremy (Kim) and Daniel (Isela); grandchildren, Paige, Alex (Lulu), Austin, Carter, Ashton, Addilyn and Nadia; great-grandchildren, Amiyah and Azaria; sisters, Peggy Lambard (Tim) and Annie Billingsley (Braxton); brothers, David Billingsley (Lisa) and Donny Simpson (Pat); sister-in-law, Janet Huff; daughter-in-law Lisa McGreal; stepmother, Elaine Billingsley; nieces and nephews, Nicole Huff-Fry (Joe), Blair Gilbert (Joshua), Rylee Fiveash, Matt Fiveash (Hillary), Cameron Simoes (Christine) and Chris Simoes (Valerie); great-nieces and great-nephews, Alexus Huff, Cole Fry, Angelo and Chase; Christopher, Thomas and Abigail; Soren, Beckett, Inga, Angelo, Gabby, Sophia, Aela, Lucca, Emma, Carmela, Maya and one more on the way. He was proceeded in death by: his beloved son, Stacey McGreal; his three dads, Kenneth Bonar, Frank Billingsley and Austin “Mac” McGreal; mother, Claudette Neff; stepmother, Helen Bonar; sister, Patricia Jean Simoes; and sister-in-law, Barbara Sykes.

A celebration of life will be held on what would have been Steve’s 72nd birthday, Sunday, July 20, at Nowhere Grille from 2-5 p.m., where friends and family will gather to share stories, laughter and memories of a life so joyfully lived. For those that cannot attend, it will be live streamed via Facebook.

In lieu of flowers, the family request each of you spend time with your loved ones, express your love often and daily as a reminder to embrace today, cherish relationships, take the trip, eat the cake, buy the shoes, “live your dash.”