Steven Lewis Buratti died Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Enterprise Medical Center after a brief hospitalization. Born September 24, 1950 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Military Honors will be arranged at a later date.

Feel free to celebrate Steve’s life and share stories as you are able to get together. Oxnard, California’s Christmas Tree Lane, which he helped instigate, is planning something special during their up-coming annual event. Alabama’s Wiregrass area folks will plan a get-together after the holidays. In lieu of flowers, please support a cause you shared with Steve, from food to education, politics, music programs, or veterans’ organizations.

Steven was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Buratti and Jeanne (nee Hoffman) Goudreax. Also preceding him in death were his first wife: Jane (nee Caton); his sister, Michelle Buratti; his brother, Lewis Buratti, Jr.; and his beloved grandson, James “Baby Jimmy” Lodovico Buratti.

Steve is survived by his wife: Cheryl Simmons-Buratti of Enterprise, his daughter: Christine Buratti of Chatsworth, IL; his son: Michael Buratti of Pinkneyville, IL; his sister: Cynthia (Wes) Wiese; his brothers: Roger (Carol) Goudreax and Grant (Monique) Caton; three grand-daughters: Paige, Caitlyn and Kylie; one great-granddaughter: Savannah; his “favorite Aunt”: Carole (nee Buratti) Beaton; and many cherished in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, colleagues, students, and “adopted” family.

Steve was a lifelong musician whose love of music began in children’s choir and continued throughout his life. He performed in nearly every ensemble offered by the Foxboro High School Music Department and was simultaneously a proud member of the Swinging Muchachos in Foxboro, Massachusetts. His passion for performance later led him to become half of a professional duo and to take part in numerous musical productions while serving in the U.S. Army in Hawaii. After his military years, he continued to share his talents as a member of the Enterprise Community Choir in Enterprise, Alabama.

Steve’s military career was marked by dedication, versatility, and a deep commitment to service. Beginning as a “ditty bopper,” he volunteered three times and served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force (Air National Guard), ultimately attaining the rank of Senior Master Sergeant before retiring. Among his many honors, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star.

Retirement in 1994 did little to slow his desire to serve others. Steve went on to become a Special Education Social Studies teacher at Camarillo High School in Camarillo, California. After relocating with his family to Valley Grande, Alabama, in 2006, he continued teaching History at Dallas County High School and later Southside High School. In late 2010, he began a new chapter as a Department of Defense Civilian Instructor Trainer with Fort Rucker’s Training and Doctrine team, a role he held with pride until mid-2020.