If attendance at his funeral today is a measure of affection and esteem, then Orange Councilman Steve Ambriz is one of Orange County's most beloved and respected sons.
Holy Family Cathedral in Orange seat at least 1,200 people -- but it wasn't begin enough to contain the throng of Steve's friends and family who came to pay their respects. The pews were packed, the aisles were standing room only, and the crowd spilled out into the courtyard in front -- at least 1,500 mourners.
I'm sure there were many more who wanted to be there but couldn't, and so they can share in some way with today's funeral service I thought I'd post a PDF of the funeral program.
I don't know where to start,
The service for Steve was amazing. While I still mourn for the loss of (for lack of a better term) my brother, I take great comfort in knowing that our shared faith in the church tells us that Steve is now in a glorious paradise.
I know how pleased Steve would be that so many friends and neighbors took the time to come out and visit with each other.
The celebration that followed the mass was also so very Steve. The "Plaza" basically shut down and a fun filled event, filled with smiles and laughter and a tear or two.
While, I am still filled with sorrow and mourning, I again, am comforted by my believes that Steve has found paradise and is truly home.
Now, for my rage...please lets us all ban together to prevent this from occuring again. This tragic serious of events could have been avoided. We must educate others that drinking or doing drugs and driving is dangerous and can kill. WE MUST, TRY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
Again, please join me in supporting the scholarship fund that has been set up for Steve's young daughter, Kaitlyn.
You can send a contribution to:
Kaitlyn Ambriz Scholarship Fund
C/O Assemblyman Todd Spitzer
1940 Tustin Street, Suite 103
Orange, CA 92865
Thank you for your time in reading this, please hold those close to you even closer and may god bless your lives every day.
JD
***
Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te ad vitam aeternam
Posted by: | June 01, 2006 at 02:21 AM
I want to share my eulogy with the blog readers I gave at Steve's vigil on Tuesday, May 30th, 2006:
Thank you all for coming to show your respect to our friend Steve and support his family. Steve & Bridget have been great friends to our family for many years. We’ll cherish the times we’ve spent together.
Every morning Steve would call me at 7:45AM on his way to work. I’d answer and say hi Steve, how are you? He would always give me the same answer, “Buddy, I’m on Top of the World!” I knew he meant it and I’d picture his infectious smile over the phone.
My children and I have had the good fortune to spend a lot of time at Serrano Park with Steve and Kaitlyn over the past year on the weekends. Steve didn’t know it, but part of my motivation was to learn parenting techniques from him, as he was the best dad I’ve ever seen in action. Whenever I have having a challenging time with my children, I always think, what would Steve do? And the answer always comes to me. Steve would take the chore or sibling dispute and turn it into a game and the problem would be solved. Steve made me want to be a better father and unknowingly taught me how. For that I thank him. What a gift he has left me. That’s how Steve was with everyone though, he always encouraged others to be better, to do something good for the community, and to take care of their friends.
Steve asked me to serve his planning commission last year. As I look around the room and see how many close friends Steve had, I know how lucky I am. The only condition he placed on me was I had to support picnic shelters at Shaffer Park. I’m happy to tell you Steve got his wish and they were recently approved for construction. That is the project he wanted built and he accomplished it. I look forward to spending time soon at Shaffer Park with my family, Bridget and Kaitlyn at Steve’s picnic shelter.
I would sometimes call Steve before meetings that had controversial items, and I would ask him for advice on how I should vote. He would only tell me “Buddy, just do the right thing.” As hard as I tried, he would never tell me how to vote. Well, everytime without fail, he would call me after the meeting before I’d even left Cityhall and he’d say “Buddy, what happened, I thought I told you to do the right thing!” He knew that drove me crazy and it always took me a couple of days to figure out he set me up.
I know that when I miss Steve I can look to Kaitlyn and see her daddy’s smile, and I’ll know he’s on top of the world.
Denis Bilodeau
Posted by: Denis Bilodeau | June 01, 2006 at 06:00 AM
There is so little for me to say here that has not been said here in the last few days. Steve's service was incredible and a true tribute to a a great public servant, husband, father and friend. The church was jammed with people wanting to say goodbye and to be there for their friend and colleague, and I will never forget that send off for my pal. I know he was watching and I know he had that famous smile on his mug.
JD, you're right, we need to stop these tragic losses at the hands of reckless, thoughtless and dangerous drivers. We need to do it for Steve's memory, for Bridget and Kaitlyn and for the community, county and state Steve loved and served.
Count me in on that effort. It's the least we can do.
Posted by: Jerry Amante | June 01, 2006 at 01:11 PM
GREETINGS : I recieved a gift from a very dear friend of mine and I would love to share it
Little I knew that morning,
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you .
You did not go alone,
For part of me went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannnot see you,
You are always by our side .
Our family chain is broken ,
and nothing seems the same,
But as God call us one by one,
The chain will link again.
Posted by: ANGELA AMBRIZ | June 01, 2006 at 01:32 PM