Clifford Reynold Steele was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Paramus, New Jersey. Cliff was predeceased by his parents, Clifford and Laura Steele (née Campenni), of Paramus, N.J.
He attended Rutgers University in New Jersey and was admitted as a member into Phi Beta Kappa before leaving the east coast to attend law school at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated with the class of 1977 and began his dedicated law career with a work ethic that quickly earned him a reputation as one of the best attorneys in the country.
Cliff, as he was known by friends, cultivated strong connections in Milwaukee that would last through his lifetime. In 1983, he married the love of his life, Mary (née Schafer). Alexandra and Samuel were born before the family relocated to tropical Miami, Florida in 1989, and soon after, Chelsea was born. Cliff always wanted to live in Miami, and when the opportunity arose to join a law firm there, he reinvented himself as a civil litigator to do so, after years of practicing criminal law.
In the 30 years he lived in Miami, Cliff enjoyed boating, fishing and snorkeling throughout the Florida Keys. He taught Mary and the kids to appreciate what he loved about the wonders of the ocean. It was always his dream to live on the water, and he ultimately made that dream come true several times. His happy place was being on the boat, the water “like glass,” listening to Tom Petty and Talking Heads with his family.
After decades of practicing law, enduring debilitating physical pain, and many subsequent surgeries, Cliff retired at an early age. Despite being in chronic pain, he would not miss out on life with his family, which so clearly brought him the joy and reason to persevere.
While Cliff was recognized for his achievements as an attorney and businessman, he considered his three children to be his greatest accomplishments, and he cherished his role as “Big Papa” to his beloved grandchildren.
With a glimmer of hope, Cliff was approved to be on a kidney transplant list with the Cleveland Clinic in August 2021. However, a systemic infection in September 2021 and a consequential surgery resulted in complications, additional surgeries, and deterioration of his respiratory, kidney and heart functions. During a nearly 11-month hospitalization, he fought a courageous battle against all odds.
Cliff was larger than life, a force of nature, and will always be remembered as a legend. Cliff passed peacefully at home in Key West, surrounded by his family and dear friends on his 71st birthday. An intimate gathering of close family and friends will spread his ashes among the currents off Islamorada, at the same coordinates where Cliff had spread the ashes of his best friend, Eddie Collins, in 2002.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Mary Steele; his daughter, Alexandra Steele, and her fiancè, Peter Wallner; his son, Sam Steele, and wife, Lauren; grandchildren Carter, Audrey and Jackson Steele; his daughter, Dr. Chelsea Steele, and her significant other, Robert Orban Jr.; his sister, Pamela Steele; brother, Tony Campenni, and his significant other, Rose Marston, and niece, Cara Steele; in-law parents, Robert and Audrey Schafer; brothers-in-law, Thomas and Robert Schafer, niece, Chloe Monnier, and nephews, Robert and Ronin Schafer.
In loving memory – you are greatly missed already.
