Obituary: Steven R. Konkol

April 29, 1957 – March 20, 2026

April 17, 2026

Steven R. Konkol. 1957-2026

Steven R. Konkol passed away unexpectedly in his home in Waterbury Center, Vermont, on March 20, 2026. 

Steve was raised in LeRoy, New York. Following his graduation from college at St. Lawrence University, he moved to Vermont and lived in a cabin by Huntington Gorge in Huntington, Vermont.  

He got the bug to be a carpenter and moved to a hunting cabin in Duxbury, Vermont, on an old logging road, affectionately referred to by his parents as “the hovel.” His tenacious personality may best be described by living high on a hill, in a hunting cabin with no running water and yet he had a waterbed and all the comforts of home! Never discouraged by a daunting task, he dragged an old rooftop antenna up an 80-foot pine tree and “The Tonight Show” starring Johnny Carson and “The Twilight Zone” were added to his TV time. 

Steve continued the pursuit of building and loved amassing the right tools for the job. He had a knack for things of the mechanical nature and mastered all aspects of building from the footprint up. 

While building a house in Massachusetts on what Steve referred to as the “Cape of Cod,” he met Karen. They were later married and moved to Waterbury Center, where they built their home. Their son Matthew arrived in January 1988, adding a layer of joy that all parents know. Steve was proud to have such a bright and lovable boy as his son. 

Steve became part of the large but close community of builders and contractors in the Stowe and Waterbury area. The larger contractor jobs were not his thing, so he set out to take on smaller renovation jobs, which turned out to be his specialty and just his cup of tea. Steve shared meaningful relationships with many longtime clients, and if in need, one could count on him to show up ready to help. Steve was blessed with a caring and compassionate nature he was always careful to do right by his clients. 

Steve was a member of the mountain biking community in Stowe and Waterbury. He enjoyed downhill enduro racing. With the years adding up, he realized that bouncing was not his thing either, so that hard riding fell off and he went back to riding Perry Hill and Stowe trails.

Skate skiing at Trapps was his favorite winter activity, but in recent years, he started to mix downhill skiing back into his equation. He could be found first in line, as his goal was to get first chair and then spend time in line chatting with the locals before heading off to ski the woods.

Being outdoors was where Steve found joy. Afterwards, he would stop for a slice and a beer at Piecasso, or the Von Trapp Bierhall, then back to the house for the usual quiet evening. As gregarious as Steve was, he most valued his solitude. 

Steve will be dearly missed by family and friends, who are invited to a celebration of Steve’s life on May 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Alchemist, 100 Cottage Club Road in Stowe. Please join us in sharing memories, stories, and raising a glass to a life well-lived. 

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made in Steve’s memory to the local nonprofit Waterbury Area Trail Alliance (WATA).