Steven F. Rexford passed away at home on June 24, 2026 after a courageous, long, and oftentimes frustrating battle with ILD.

Steve was born on September 18, 1948, in Newport, Vermont, the son of Francis and Lucille Rexford.

Steve's father, Francis, tragically passed away in a train accident in Newbury, Vermont on October 30, 1948, when Steve was just 1 month old. His mother, Lucille, later married Ross St. Onge, who became the gentle, loving father who helped shape the man Steve Rexford would become.

He attended school at Newport Center High School and graduated in 1966. He then attended the St Johnsbury Trade School Machine Shop for 1 year.

Immediately following school, on January 23, 1967, Steve started a 25 year career at IBM, where he spent 7 years in manufacturing, 3 years in computer operations, and 15 years as a computer programmer. Steve earned various awards and promotions throughout his 25 years at IBM.

Steve was also a longstanding member of the Vermont Army National Guard. He often told stories of running a grader and bulldozer, and building and maintaining roads while serving.

After retiring from IBM in 1992, Steve took a Captain's License Study Course to become a charter boat captain on the Great Lakes and Inland Waters, including Lake Champlain, and truly lived his dream of fishing every day. He spent years on Lake Champlain catching Lakers, Salmon, Bass, Northern, Walleye, you name it, he caught it.

While at IBM, Steve met his soulmate, Gail F. Riley. They married on November 5, 1988 and everything changed. Steve was a quiet and private man, however Gail brought out the gentle, friendly, giving and loving man we will all remember him as. Between fishing, camping, going to the lake with their golden retrievers Samantha and Sutter, these two were inseparable. It was a love story like no other. Gail became a loving and devoted stepmother to Lisa, Craig, Tanya, and Dan, completing their family in ways that words could never fully express. Gail F. Rexford passed away after a long battle with cancer on January 8, 1994.

After Gail passed, Steve spent years working with the American Cancer Society on events like the Relay for Life to stay involved and support others facing the same devastating loss.

Steve eventually realized that fishing wasn't supposed to be "work" and found his way to driving a school bus for the South Burlington School District until he became sick in July of 2023.

Steve was not just any bus driver in South Burlington. He became somewhat of a legend to the girls' sports teams. He drove them to games and tournaments, and became not only a good luck charm, but he was like family to many of them. He also took pictures during the games and would donate countless hours putting slide shows together, providing pictures for the kids, parents and coaches, and creating memories for these kids that will last a lifetime. (Please see links.)

Stuck in Vermont: South Burlington Bus Driver Steve Rexford Is Part of the Team | Seven Days

South Burlington Rotary honors Steve Rexford with Tuttle Award | Around Town | vtcng.com

After Steve became sick, the South Burlington Athletics Community raised over $13,000 so Steve could begin treatments for his ILD. We are forever grateful for the 3 years that allowed him to continue to be at the games, be with family, and create more memories for all of us to cherish.

He is survived by his son Craig Rexford and his wife Missy, his daughter Lisa Currier and her husband Brandon, his daughter Tanya Searles and her Husband Lar, his son Dan Rexford and his partner Stacey Rousseau, his sister Bonnie Draper and her partner David Corliss, his brother Gary St. Onge and his family, his grandchildren Rudd Rexford and his fiancé MaKayla, Jake McGinnis and his wife Dianaliz, Zachary McGinnis and his fiancé Lindsay, Abigail McGinnis and her husband Gayge, Mae Searles, Elizabeth Searles, Hazel Rexford and Lydia Rexford and great grandchildren Wyatt Rexford and Calliope McGinnis. Steve is also survived by Gail's family, and countless other close friends, neighbors, and extended family, who loved him dearly.

He is now with the absolute love of his life. The woman that changed everything for him. The woman that made him who he was. To his wife, Gail Rexford, please take care of him as you always did. Make him smile. Fish with him. Take the golden retrievers to the lake. Go camping. He has been waiting since the day you passed to do all of these things with you again. Hug him for us. We are sad he is gone, but we know he is where he has wanted to be for a very long time, with you!

Steve was predeceased by his wife, Gail F. Rexford, his mother Lucille St. Onge, his fathers Francis Rexford and Ross St. Onge, and his brother-in-law Reginald Draper

A private burial for family and friends will be held at Hyde Cemetery in North Hero, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Gail.

Those wishing to honor Steve's memory may consider supporting Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, an organization that was meaningful to him and his family.