PORTLAND – Kevin Llyn Steele Sr., 56, of 184 South High St., Bridgton, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Maine Medical Center in Portland following a short illness.

Born in Framingham, Mass., on Feb. 14, 1952, he was the son of Raymond and Charlotte Lightbody Steele. Moving to Maine at a young age with his family, he was a graduate of Richmond High School, class of ’69.

He later served in the U.S. Army, and was honorably discharged in 1975.

He was employed as a carpenter at BIW for many years, served as a volunteer firefighter for the Richmond Fire Department, and for the last 16 years, Kevin could be found proudly assisting his girlfriend, Toni Orlandella, and her staff at the Venezia Ristorante in Bridgton. From greeting you upon your entry to mixing your favorite cocktails, you could always depend on him to engage in a good conversation and make you feel at home. His devotion and kindness was a big part of making Venezia a family-friendly atmosphere and he will be greatly missed by all.

Kevin was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating. He also loved to play cards with family and friends, and he made many friends playing cribbage and would always be willing to teach anyone how to play because his little saying was, “you cannot beat the teacher.” He loved to do wood projects with Kevin Jr. and help anyone with carpentry work.

Survivors include his son, Kevin Jr. and wife, Kimberly, of Richmond; three grandchildren, Brooke, Nathaniel and Zander; and his companion and best friend, Toni Orlandella of Naples.