Stephen James Zaborski, 54

Stephen James Zaborski, 54, Athol, passed away July 5 at Kootenai Health of heart failure.

Born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1968 to Andrew and Nancy (Kay) Zaborski, he lived his early years in Wisconsin until the family moved to Hayden in 1974. He attended Coeur d’Alene schools.

Although his expectations of instant rockstar superstardom after high school were not met, he pursued his musical passion. Over the years, he played with various bands, including Children, Common Ground, Stentor, Grumpy’s Toy and Trick Question.

He traveled the country with his father doing home improvement and also worked at Louisiana Pacific’s Chilco mill. And then he found trucking.

He found his place and his career as a truck driver with Heberer Trucking. It suited him, and he took great pride in his work and developed many friendships there.

He enjoyed lively debate but was always looking for common ground. A story he told recently was of an online connection with whom he debated vigorously and angrily until Steve discovered their common love of cats. And with that, he had a new friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother Andrew and uncles Richard Kay, Harry and Steven Zaborski.

He is survived by sisters Janet Zaborski, Coeur d’Alene; Valerie Zaborski (Peter Herbsman), Jersey City, N.J.; and Karen Shirley (Charles), Hayden; brother Mark Zaborski (Christian) of Athol; uncles Thomas Zaborski (Julia), Oshkosh, Wis., Richard Zaborski (Janet), Loretta, Wis., William Kay (Judith), Mequon, Wis., and Donald Kay (Heather), Gallatin, Mo.; and aunts Annie Zaborski, Colgate, Wis., and Alice Kay, Dickeyville, Wis.; and many cousins.

In the '80s, he and his musician friends lived in a house on Higgens Point, where they could rock as loud as they wanted, host parties, and meet the occasional rock star, once being visited by the drummer of Skid Row. So, it is appropriate that on that site at 3 p.m. July 22, we invite those who loved him to join us at Higgens Point Park for a memorial picnic.