Stephen James Krom of Swampscott died peacefully at his home on January 4 following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Christine (Kaiser), his daughter Nora Rose, and siblings Jane (Peter) Maule of Kirkland, Washington, and Paul (Grace) of Northford, Connecticut. Stephen is also survived by his fraternal nephew Stephen Joseph, his niece Sarah Ambio and his nephew Philip Kaiser.
After childhood in Hyde Park, New York, Stephen attended Marist College in nearby Poughkeepsie, majoring in history. For his junior year, he attended The American University of Paris, France. Following college graduation in 1970, Stephen joined the Peace Corps, serving two years in Ivory Coast teaching English to French-speaking students. He later completed a Harvard Business School Executive Education program.
Returning from the Peace Corps, Stephen joined Landmark School in Prides Crossing in its inaugural year, retiring in 2011 after 38 years, having enjoyed his tenure there as public-school liaison, advocating for public school students throughout New England in their eligibility for education at Landmark.
After raising their family in their Banks Road home, Stephen and Christine continued their Swampscott residency, moving in 2020 to Fisherman’s Watch condominiums. There, Steve continued to enjoy the things he loved: his family and many friends, the sea, reading, cooking, world travel, photography, gardening (joining the fledgling Seaside Cooperative Garden on Humphrey Street) and with Christine their long-time membership in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead.
A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford St., on Saturday,Jan. 20, at 2 p.m., in person and via Zoom. Optional parking will be available nearby at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Stephen’s name to the Building and Grounds Fund at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, or to The Trustees of Reservations (thetrustees.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for the Krom family.
