Steven Wallace

EAST FALMOUTH - Steven Wallace, 58, a quick wit with a deep passion for American roots music, died Sunday, Nov. 22 at his East Falmouth home. The loving partner of Lillian Clabby, a longtime Falmouth Hospital nurse, Mr. Wallace was a lifetime New Englander.

Born to the late William and Edith Wallace in Arlington, MA, he was raised in Holliston, MA, and spent many summers on Chebeague Island in Maine. He moved to Cape Cod in 2005.

After graduating from Marian High School in 1975, Mr. Wallace earned a bachelor's degree in business management at Lesley College (now Lesley University) in Cambridge, MA and trained in computer science at Boston University. Over the years he worked in technology-related areas for multiple companies, including Digital Equipment Corp. in Maynard, MA and Salem, NH and Meditech in Norwood, MA. His most recent employer was The Green Shuttle of Pocasset, MA.

Mr. Wallace's drive to learn all he could about Americana music propelled him to visit university archives and out-of-the-way live performance venues, including the Carter Family Fold in rural Southwest Virginia this summer.

Among his most rewarding labors was volunteering with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the mall in Washington, DC.

In addition to Ms. Clabby, Mr. Wallace is survived by his two sons, Damon Wallace of East Falmouth and Ben Wallace of Norwood, MA; his brother, Norm Wallace of Sunapee, N.H.; his former wife, Donna Wallace of Norwood; a niece; and many cousins.

Funeral services will be private, in accordance with Mr. Wallace's wishes. An informal gathering will celebrate Mr. Wallace's humor and intellect as well as thank the many friends who helped him and Ms. Clabby contend with his illness in recent months.

The gathering will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 119 James Circle in Mashpee. For online guestbook please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.