1963-2023

Today, July 15, 2023, I departed this life after a 6-year battle with a deadly cancer. You can say I gave it a good fight and kept my humor up.  Despite dealing with this, there are lots of things in my life I’m quite happy about.  I was born in New York City on July 5, 1963, to parents Cho To and Lilly Cha Fong with my brother Peter Eric To born the following year.

Having spent most of my life in New York City, I got to experience the many sides the city has to offer.  After graduating from Purchase College in Purchase, NY with a BA degree in biology, I worked 11 years as a lab technician at Cornell University Medical College and The Rockefeller University in New York City.  I returned to school for a master’s degree in business administration at Fordham University.  Being the restless spirit I can be, I decided to switch careers to medical writing and advertising working for a medical communication/advertising company to flex the creative part of my brain.  I decided to work directly for the pharmaceutical industry, working with Hoffman La Roche, Daiichi Sankyo, and finally Pfizer Inc on new medical therapies for cancer.

I started visiting my brother, Peter, in Warren, PA and immediately took to this friendly town, becoming more involved in Warren’s local life (coffee shops, rodeos, state fairs, local restaurants, local charities and new friends via Peter).

Overtime, Warren became a second home to me with Peter marrying into a lovely local family (The Wozneak’s), gaining in-laws galore.  I purchased a home here next to my brother and his lovely wife, Lisa To.  When the pandemic hit, I spent most of my time working remotely from my Warren home until finally deciding to cut the cord to my NYC life to focus my remaining life with family and new friends.  Since 2019, I’ve been devoting my free time to fixing up my home in Warren and enjoying what it has offered me—peace solitude.

My favorite things to do were drinking coffee, watching the birds from my kitchen window and deck, sailing, watching sci-fi, and having a beer or two.  I feel I’ve reached the American dream. 

I am preceded in death by parents, Cho and Lily To, and brother, Frederick Cha Fong.

Surviving me are sisters, Lurline (Ken) Yee, Betty (Allan) Johnson, and brothers, Patrick (Christine) Cha Fong, Richard (Joyce) Cha Fong, and Peter (Lisa) To, and my nieces and nephews and their families. 

Now that my time has come to an end I offer this—“I did my best, life did the rest.”

A private celebration of Steve’s life will be held at the convenience of the family.  Memorial gifts may be directed in my memory, Stephen E. To, through Hospice of Warren County, 1 Main Avenue, Warren, PA., 16365 or www.hospiceofwarrencounty.org, or a charity of one’s choice.  E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.delewisfuneralhome.com  The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA. has been entrusted with my funeral arrangements.