HAINES CITY - Stephen E. Fields, 82, of Haines City, Fl. passed away Saturday March 28, 2009 from cancer at the Heart of Florida Hospital in Haines City.
Steve was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine on March 8,1927, son of Perley and Margret Fields. Steve was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School class of 1944. Steve’s first career was working in Aroostook County for Maine Potato Growers Incorporated. Then in 1972, he took a giant step to change careers to go to work in the harness racing industry. For the next 15 years Steve worked in Canada for the Canadian Trotting Association. Upon retiring in Canada he returned to Maine and worked as the State Steward for the Maine Harness Racing Commission. In 1991 he decided to return to the role of Presiding Judge and went to work for Northfield Park in Cleveland, Ohio. His final retirement came in 1996 when he and his wife Opal moved to Haines City, Florida where he resided until his death.
Steve’s other passion was the Masonic Lodge and Shrine. He was a member of Frontier Masonic Lodge, Fort Fairfield, Maine; 32nd. Degree Scottish Rite Mason; York Rite Mason and Anah Shrine Temple in Bangor Maine.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Opal B. Fields of Haines City; two sons and their wives, Alan and Danna Fields of Brunswick, ME. and Peter and Debra Fields of Bozeman, MT; and Granddaughters, Morgan Fields of Boston, MA. and Briana Fields of Columbia, MO.
Memorial services will be 11:00 AM. Wednesday April 1, 2009, at the Sweetwater Club House in Haines City, FL. In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be made in name of Stephen E. Fields to the Shrine Hospitals for Children, Boston Unit, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA. 02114. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.oakridgefuneralcare.com
