Stephen Leslie Wallack

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Wallack, Stephen Leslie Age 80, of Wayzata, Minnesota, passed away on August 15, 2017, after waiting for the moment when all six of his children could gather with his wife to say goodbye together. Preceded in death by his parents David and Jean Freedman Wallack, and by his younger sister Ceena Merle Wallack, Steve was born on June 14, 1937 in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended the Boston Latin School, where he distinguished himself as an athlete, and in 1955 Steve graduated from Brookline High School as a co-captain of the varsity track team. Steve completed his education with a bachelor's degree from Boston University in 1959. During this period, he served in the reserves of the Army National Guard. An accomplished swimmer, Steve worked as a professional lifeguard in Boston for several years before he began a long and distinguished career in the wholesale tire sales industry. With his cousin Paul Resnick he founded Javelin Tire, which they grew through a public offering, and later, as an offshoot, he founded Magnum Tire, which he directed as CEO for many years until he sold the business in the 1990s. In 2008 Steve emerged from retirement by founding Octagon Tire, which continues to operate in Minneapolis. He was beloved by his many long-standing employees, to whom he was as loyal as they were to him, and he was noted for extending a hand of opportunity to many who had found doors of prejudice closed upon them. In addition to professional accomplishments, Steve was a skilled boatsman who raced cigarette boats off Miami in the 1970s. In 1965, Steve met and married Virginia Elizabeth Connor of Newton, Massachusetts, who survives him along with their six children: Andrea Wallack; Melisa (Bernie) Wallack Goldmann; Arika (Thomas) Palladino; Stephen (Marisa) Wallack II; Mara (Paul) Wallack Thomas; and David (Madeline) Wallack. In addition, twenty grandchildren called Steve "Papa." Visitation 11-Noon on Saturday, followed by memorial service at noon, Lakewood Cemetary, Mpls., 612-822-2171. In lieu of flowers, consider donating in Steve's name to the International Wolf Center: wolf.org.

Published on August 18, 2017