Stephen K. Lindley

Stephen Kenneth Lindley was born on a winter's day, December 19, 1946, in Hyannis, Massachusetts. He was raised in Hyannnisport, by his maternal grandparents, Louise and Roland Pihl. Louise was a coloratura soprano with the New England Conservatory; Roland was a math professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as a gifted musician and artist. In a home 300 feet from the open ocean, Stephen grew up surrounded by sailboats, dogs, building projects, art and music. He carried these many loves throughout his life, and, along the way, developed passions for flying and cabinetmaking.

Stephen graduated from Barnstable High School in Hyannis in 1965, while also working on Nantucket ferries, commercial fishing boats and tugboats. During the Kennedy White House years, Stephen served as sailing instructor to Pierre Salinger’s children. He then earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Design from Wentworth Institute in Boston in 1968. While in college, Stephen attained his fixed-wing pilot’s license and spent most of his weekends at Jumptown Skydiving in Orange. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the US Army and was trained as a helicopter pilot. Following his tour in Vietnam, Stephen received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Metal, the Bronze Star and the Vietnam Campaign Medal, among others. He was the only survivor of two gunship crashes that left him with injuries that eventually led to his status as a disabled combat veteran.

Stephen’s creativity and work ethic helped him transition to a career as a self-employed building contractor, where he led countless innovative projects. His most notable accomplishment was the designing and building of the Gerbode House in Fairfield, Vermont. Photos of this estate can be viewed online. Stephen then took his inventive ideas to New Hampshire. There, he was able to fulfill his dream of breeding and racing Siberian Huskies with the dog sleds he designed and built. No matter where he lived, Stephen’s greatest love was always the Atlantic Ocean.

Stephen returned to Cape Cod in 1980 to continue his building career and rehabilitate fishing boats. In 1997, he moved to Winchendon to be closer to family. Stephen leaves his son, Taylor Lindley of West Yarmouth and his stepson Christopher Mc Cormick of Los Angeles. He also leaves three sisters: Christina Lindley Muse of Winchendon, together with her husband Ron and their children and grandchildren. Stephen also leaves his sisters Wendy Newton of Centerville, Massachusetts and Carol Reed and her two children of Hampden, Massachusetts.

Stephen will be buried with full military honors at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery in Winchendon. His graveside service will be on Friday, August 21st at 1 PM.   

As we bid farewell to Stephen Lindley, we invite you to share your memories and stories on his memorial page. Your words and photos will help preserve the essence of Stephen, and the adventurous, creative, and generous man that he was.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central St., Winchendon, is directing arrangements.