Stephen Barol Goldstein (b. April 28,1969) died Sunday evening, June 14, 2026. He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone marrow cancer in December 2025.  He sought a bone marrow transplant to fight his disease and an infection proved too much for his compromised immune system.  He was surrounded by his family as he departed this life on Sunday. Stephen is survived by his wife: Judith (Judi) Rivera, his children, Griffin and Maeve Goldstein and their mother Kerry Lorincz, his sisters, Rachel Dalinka (Mike Cooperberg), Jessa Goldstein (Kenny Cahoon), and his Aunt and Uncle, Gavriel and Lisa Goldstein, as well as an extensive family. Stephen was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. The greatest loves of his life were his children, Griffin and Maeve. Stephen loved to share laughter with all he met. He found humor in most things and was not above laughing at himself. He shared his love of wordplay, love of music, and his quirky facial expressions freely. Anything for a laugh!

Stephen graduated from Temple University with a degree in English Literature and Journalism. He began his career as an editor and writer at the Philadelphia Inquirer, then transitioned to pharmaceutical advertising, where he worked for more than 20 years. Stephen started as a medical editor and copy writer, and ultimately became an accomplished Creative Director, and Vice President. In these roles he worked with creative teams to launch brand and generic products globally and domestically to health care providers and consumers. His work targeted a wide range of disease states including the bone marrow cancer that took his life.

Stephen had a deep love for music. He played harmonica with several local rock and jazz bands in the 1990s and 2000s. Stephen came by his love of music honestly; his father George was one of the founders of the Philadelphia Folk Festival, and his mother Ronnie had a deep love of Jazz and Opera music. Stephen loved volunteering with the Central Control Committee of the Folk Festival. He, his dad and sisters, went to many Grateful Dead Shows together. Whether listening or playing his musical tastes were quite eclectic, but his musical passion towards the end of his life, was Jazz. His wife Judi shared his passion for Jazz music. Stephen had an extensive vinyl collection including soul-jazz, hard-bob, bebop, blues, R&B, funk, soul, and samba, among others. He also loved Philadelphia and was an avid Philly sports fan. He would have been thrilled that LeBron James joined the Sixers!

Stephen loved to go out for a drive and to drive fast; later, after his diagnosis, he said it gave him a sense of freedom and control that the disease had taken from him. He met his love Judi in 2023 and was overjoyed to be spending the rest of his life with her. They were married on December 31, 2025. He was determined to overcome his cancer and begin the rest of his life, but those plans were cut short. His infectious and dry sense of humor, his love of music, and his ability to see beauty in things others might overlook will be missed immeasurably. 

Memorial Service: Thursday, June 25, 12 pm at Goldstein’s Funeral Home, 6410 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19126. Family and friends will gather afterwards at the Oakhill Condominiums Clubhouse, 1660 Oakwood Drive, Penn Valley, PA 19072.