Stephen Tibbetts of Redding passed away peacefully on April 13, 2016 with his family by his side after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 66 years old.
Steve was born in Coco Solo, Panama while his father served in the U.S. Navy. He grew up in Marshfield, Mass, graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and attended the New England School of Photography in Boston. He is a U.S. Army veteran.
Steve began his career in photography as a studio manager in New York City. He also worked as a black and white printer for a number of renowned photographers, including Arnold Newman, as well as Neil Selkirk, on a project involving archival prints of the work of Diane Arbus. Later, he started his own photography business, serving clients on location and studio projects.
His true passion, however, was his family. While hosting family holiday parties at Thanksgiving and Easter his charisma and charm filled up the room. He loved youth sports and some of his best moments were spent coaching his son's baseball teams at the Jesse P. Sanford Boys and Girls Club of Redding. He was always outdoors, often accompanied by his beloved yellow lab, Cooper. Steve was a proud New Englander, who loved the Red Sox and Patriots and summers spent in Cape Cod.
He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Ivana; his son Evan and daughter-in-law Danielle of New York City; sister Gela Selvaggi and husband Ralph of Easton, CT; brother Arlon and wife Junko of Sandwich, MA, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and a grand-nephew.
The family will hold visiting hours at Honan Funeral Home in Newtown on Monday, April 18 from 4 -7pm. A memorial service will be held at the First Church of Christ Congregational in Redding at 11am on Tuesday, April 19. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lustgarten Foundation.

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