Stephen Arthur Machcinski was born on March 17, 1971, to Kenneth and Sharon Machcinski. The middle child of three, he had one older brother named Rick and one younger sister named Beth. He spent the majority of his childhood growing up in the same city he would later serve as a firefighter. He competed in track and field in high school, winning several competitions. After high school, Steve graduated from Owens Community College with a degree in fire science. While he traveled all over Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio taking fire service tests he worked for a local auto detailing company.

Steve started his career with the Toledo Fire Department on March 20, 1998. The day he found out he was accepted as a recruit for his hometown’s fire department he called his sister to tell her and was so excited he could barely speak. He couldn’t believe his dream was coming true. He loved being a firefighter. He never wanted to do anything else. He passed away heroically doing the job he loved on January 26, 2014, alongside one of his brothers on the department, James “Jamie” Dickman.

Steve and his brother, Rick, shared a special bond being not only biological brothers, but brothers in fire service as well. Steve inspired Rick to pursue becoming a firefighter, and he now serves on the Fort Wayne Fire Department.

Steve was a man’s man, a relatively quiet guy who enjoyed the simple things in life. He loved sports, especially the Detroit Tigers, University of Michigan, Cleveland Browns, and the Toledo Mudhens. (He rarely missed opening day for the Mudhens.) Because of his almost 16 years on the fire department, he developed a love of cooking for his brothers and sisters on the department. He enjoyed fishing, which he would do often with friends and his dad. He loved meeting up with his buddies for lunch at his favorite restaurant, Nick & Jimmy’s, where you could find him enjoying a meal and a Bud Light. He loved playing poker with his buddies.

Steve was a wonderful son, brother, and uncle. He loved his niece and nephew dearly and cherished his time with them.

Steve is survived by his parents, Ken and Sharon Machcinski; his brother, Rick (Terri) Machcinski; his sister, Beth (Chris) Hoye; and his niece and nephew, Grace and Brandon Hoye.