Steve Odierno — Beloved Father of Steven Odierno ’23 and Katherine Odierno ’25, and Saint Joseph Regional’s Visionary Director of Marketing — Remembered for His Boundless Heart, Inspiring Leadership, and Legacy of Service

With profound sorrow and heavy hearts, the Saint Joseph Regional (SJR) High School community mourns the heartbreaking and untimely loss of Steve Odierno, who served as the school’s dedicated Director of Marketing and was a cherished friend, colleague, mentor, and father. His sudden passing on a peaceful April morning has left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who had the honor to work beside him, to learn from him, and most especially, to love him.

Steve Odierno was far more than a school administrator. He was the pulse behind a renaissance of spirit at SJR—a man who made communication not just about messages and media, but about connection, meaning, and mission. He wove his deep passion for education, family, and community into every role he undertook, and he did so with a humility that belied his remarkable talents.

A Life Built on Purpose and Passion

Steve joined the SJR community in 2018, stepping into the role of Director of Marketing with a quiet but unmistakable determination to elevate the school’s story—both within the walls of its proud institution and far beyond. From day one, Steve saw marketing not as mere promotion but as storytelling with purpose. He worked tirelessly to ensure that every message reflected the core values of SJR: integrity, scholarship, community, and faith.

Under his stewardship, the school’s brand underwent a thoughtful transformation. He led with vision, care, and a deep understanding of what made SJR special. His colleagues recall countless evenings spent refining a single paragraph, designing layouts with an artist’s eye, or brainstorming ideas that brought the school closer to its alumni, its current families, and prospective students.

A Legacy of Innovation

Steve’s tenure marked a golden era of communications and community engagement for Saint Joseph Regional. Among his most notable contributions:

• The “Cardinal Connect” Campaign: Launched in 2019, this multifaceted initiative became a national case study in effective alumni engagement. Not only did it rekindle relationships with past graduates, it increased annual fundraising by 40% in its first year alone. Steve believed that when people feel seen, they give with their hearts—and he proved it, time and again.
• Digital Transformation: Recognizing early the need to modernize SJR’s digital footprint, Steve orchestrated a complete overhaul of the school website and social media platforms. He introduced engaging student-led content, parent spotlight features, and multimedia storytelling that painted a vivid and authentic picture of life at SJR. Under his leadership, web traffic grew exponentially and applications to the school reached record highs.
• Community Partnerships: Steve forged enduring relationships with local businesses, media outlets, and civic organizations. Whether coordinating sponsorships for school events or organizing food drives and outreach efforts, he always found ways to connect SJR’s mission to the broader good.

Colleague, Mentor, Friend

To his coworkers, Steve was not just a department head—he was a wellspring of encouragement and warmth. He had a gift for drawing out the best in others. Whether guiding a new staff member through their first press release or collaborating on a campaign late into the evening, Steve was always generous with his time, his praise, and his belief in others.

“Steve never said, ‘That’s not my job,’” recalled Maria Delgado, an administrative assistant who worked closely with him. “He said, ‘How can I help?’ And he meant it. Whether it was setting up chairs at a pep rally or proofreading a student speech, he was there.”

His humor, kindness, and endless energy filled every meeting room, hallway, and school function. He didn’t just know people’s names—he knew their stories, their kids’ names, and what they were going through. He was a true community builder, whose smile could disarm the most stressful situation and whose presence made others feel that everything would be okay.

A Devoted Father Above All Else

While Steve’s professional legacy is immense, those who knew him best will always remember him first and foremost as a family man. His pride and joy were his two children—Steven Odierno, Class of ’23, and Katherine Odierno, Class of ’25. His love for them was woven into every aspect of his life, from the way he spoke about them in casual conversation to the way he showed up, without fail, for every moment that mattered.

He was a fixture at football games, robotics competitions, theatrical performances, science fairs, and more. He wasn’t just there—he was present, cheering with pride, helping organize events, or simply being the dad that everyone noticed and admired.

• The 50-Yard Line Handshake Ritual: One of the most cherished traditions at SJR football games was the father-daughter handshake shared between Steve and Katherine before every kickoff. No matter what was happening in life or how busy he was, Steve always found Katherine before the whistle blew, and they met at midfield. It became a moment beloved by students and parents alike—a small but powerful expression of their unbreakable bond.
• Weekend Adventures and Projects: Steve had a knack for turning ordinary days into unforgettable adventures. He built model rockets with Steven, taught him about propulsion and patience, and spent quiet afternoons tending to a butterfly garden with Katherine, teaching her about growth, wonder, and the delicate beauty of nature. These were not just hobbies—they were opportunities for connection, lessons in resilience and creativity, and expressions of deep, unwavering love.

The Community Response

News of Steve’s passing sent shockwaves through the Saint Joseph Regional community and far beyond. Tributes poured in from alumni, parents, faculty, and community leaders. A memorial was quickly organized at the school, where hundreds gathered to light candles, share memories, and celebrate the life of a man who had touched so many.

“I still expect to hear his laugh echoing down the hall,” said Principal Robert Tully during the vigil. “Steve was joy incarnate. He made us better—not just as professionals, but as people. He lifted us when we were down, celebrated with us when we triumphed, and reminded us to always lead with heart.”

In His Own Words

In a speech Steve gave at the 2022 SJR Alumni Dinner, he offered a glimpse into what drove him:

“The most powerful stories we tell aren’t in newsletters or billboards. They’re in how we show up for each other. They’re in the quiet moments—when we mentor a student, comfort a friend, or help someone believe they belong. That’s the story I want to tell. That’s the life I want to live.”

And that is the life he did live.

Honoring a Lasting Legacy

To ensure Steve’s spirit continues to guide and uplift the SJR community, the school has announced the creation of the Steve Odierno Memorial Scholarship Fund. This annual scholarship will support students who demonstrate excellence in leadership, creativity in communication, and a deep commitment to community—values that Steve embodied every single day.

Additionally, the SJR media center will be renamed The Odierno Center for Creative Leadership, a space where future students can dream, create, collaborate, and carry forward Steve’s enduring vision.

“He was the kind of man who made the world better by simply being in it.”
— From a letter written by Katherine Odierno, Class of ’25, read aloud at her father’s memorial service.