Share a Story

Slow is Pro: Where awareness and adventure Cross 🤍

Share a Story

Our "Share a Story" page is a space for friends, family and supporters to come together and celebrate Stephen by sharing their favorite memories, heartfelt moments and personal stories.

Whether it’s a funny anecdote, a meaningful experience or a moment that captures Stephen’s spirit, we invite you to contribute and keep his legacy alive. You can also upload photos alongside your stories—ones we may feature on the site—to help paint a fuller picture of the incredible impact Stephen has had on so many lives.

Your words and images will help inspire others and keep the heart of Slow is Pro beating strong.

Slow is Pro: Where awareness and adventure Cross 🤍

Your Stories

There's so much in this beautiful life that can't be explained. This tragedy that so many of us are experiencing is a prime example of that. What's the purpose of taking Stephen from this world far too early? He had so much to accomplish. So much to see. So much to teach. So much love to give. So many lobsters to point out so that I could easily dive and grab them. Then there are things that we can easily explain. The joy that we all felt when we were in Stephen's presence was simple. It was the purest form of kindness and love there is. He embodied that. He radiated love and positivity. He loved all of his friends, his family, and his amazing fiancé, Caitie, more than anything. Since we became friends nearly 30 years ago I can't remember ever having a bad day with him. No fish? It's all good. "We'll get em next time." Raining during a boat day? "Free boat wash!" He always found the words to make things beautiful. There are no words to make this ok but I will forever remember his words and try my best to think to myself, "how would Steve-O have approached this?" Every time we were together it was an adventure. We saw the world together and he pushed me to do things I never thought I could. He taught me things that bring me joy every day. That was Stephen; he was a teacher. In his short life, Steve lived more than most people could live in five lifetimes. He did it right. If there's one thing we all take away from this, it's do your best to live like Stephen Laird Cross. If you do that, you will have a beautiful life. I guarantee it.

Hunter Swindle

Bluffton SC
I’m lost for words as I struggle to pen this tribute to speak about Captain Stephen in the past; a man who was blessed with a big beautiful heart, a great personality and a welcoming smile. Captain Stephen was a man who understood team spirit and that he espoused in the great team player he was and one of the nicest persons to work with. His warmth, hospitality and generosity made him easy going, kind, beautiful and easy to communicate with, that It’s difficult to forget his usual responses through text messages; I’m here waiting with ice cold drink and a big smile- lol. I’m saddened at the fact that he is gone and can’t help asking myself, how could something so tragic, happen to such a wonderful person, when the world needs more people like him? Captain Stephen was truly a treasure, a real gem and truly, will be missed. Gone but not forgotten! Rest in peace Captain Stephen!

EULINA LANCLOS

Virgin Islands
I have been struggling to come up with the right words to express my profound sadness at the tragic death of Captain Steve. It is still so unbelievable. Reading all the words, stories, and experiences leave me feeling such a loss for the world to not have him in it. I certainly did not know him as well as others but the times I spent with him or communicating with him made it so obvious what a tremendous person he was. I will try to focus on the happy memories that he provided to us in order to celebrate the life that he lived. I first met Captain Steve when he captained our catamaran charter in 2017. Our whole family just meshed with him. We were all a little nervous but he made everything easy. We loved our son lobster hunting and coconut hunting with him, our sons swinging on the swing with him, and the best Painkillers he made for us. We loved his and Rachel’s code word for providing distraction and still use it to this day - TURTLE! One of the pictures from the trip is still my screensaver. I kept in touch with him after that trip and when he was hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2019 we arranged to meet him in Virginia. We have a cabin close to the trail so we picked him up and fed him and provided a good night’s sleep and then put him back on the trail with some food and supplies. He loved fishing in the river by our cabin. He loved being with our dog Moose. And he loved our local beer 🙂 This year we started talking again about another charter - he was going to be our captain again. He was so generous in being willing to help from the island end. I had reserved a bareboat and our last texts were about talking after Thanksgiving to discuss more details. We are so sad that we don’t ever get to see him again. I can’t even imagine how Caitie, his family, and friends must be feeling. I hope all can take comfort in each other and all the memories that have been acquired over his short, but well-lived, life. He positively affected the lives of so many people in his time here on earth. It was an honor to have known him. Shine on Captain Steve. The world will miss you.

DONNA SMITH

So many of us are better from knowing and loving you Stephen Cross. You've been such an inspiration in my life, past and present. Starting my new path in my career you've had my back the whole way, walking me through doubts and pushing me to achieve greatness. I'm not sure it will be as great now that I can't bother you for every question or concern, but I know you'll be watching over me laughing and smiling at every mistake or accomplishment. You will be so missed by so many whose lives you've touched. You were such a light and positive person. I'm praying for your family and loved ones who I have no words to describe the heartbreak you must be going through. Caitie I'm so sorry for your loss. Your love was so rare to see, and such an inspiration to every couple around you. I will cherish the memories we've had over the years for the rest of my life.

Owen Aschoff

Captain
Hearts are shattered from islands far and wide as so many of us grieve the sudden and devastating loss of your life Steve-O, a life many of us could only dream of pursuing. You inspired us all by teaching us how to follow your passion and live every day to the fullest. Your zest for adventure, positive energy and pure kindness are unmatched. I am certain you had a profound impact on everyone who had the blessing of knowing you. We were the lucky ones.

Ryann Elizabeth

My heart has been so heavy and I never thought I'd have to be writing something like this...Stephen Cross was TRULY a one of a kind person. The most genuine, kind, positive, giving, loving, compassionate soul I have ever met in my entire life. To say the world lost a good one is an understatement. Seeing the amount of people he impacted throughout his lifetime is so beautiful. There wasn't one time where you would see steve-o and he wasn't dishing out compliments, saying something positive or doing something epic. I know these things have been said about him hundreds of times already but it's the absolute truth. I keep praying we will wake up from this nightmare. The hardest part of all of this is knowing Caitie lost her soulmate, her person. They were truly meant for each other. I've never witnessed a love like theirs and his true devotion and love for her was unmatched. An absolute power couple. My heart aches for you Caitie. Life really isn't fair and Steve had so much more life to live but he absolutely lived every day he had to the fullest. I will cherish his friendship for a lifetime and I am blessed to have known someone as amazing as him. Watch over us my friend, until we meet again. Rest in paradise

Angela Oakes