Stephen A. Blaskovich

Stephen A. Blaskovich

Stephen A. Blaskovich passed away March 4, 2025, following a courageous 14 month battle with cancer.  He was surrounded by his loving family, who were blessed by his life of 66 years.

Steve was born in Anaconda, MT on October 7, 1958 to Stephen and Evelyn Blaskovich. He grew up in the family home on Oak Street, attending St. Paul’s Catholic school, and graduating from Anaconda Senior High in 1977. He obtained his Bachelor’s of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Montana Tech in 1981, and continued on to receive his Master of Science in 1982. In 1993, he was awarded a US Patent for developing an improved process of the refining of bismuth.

Steve began his 40 year Metallurgical Engineering career at Asarco, Inc. in Tacoma Washington, and was quickly transferred to El Paso, TX. In 1983, he married the love of his life, Patti Walund Blaskovich in the stunning setting of St. Timothy’s Chapel at Georgetown Lake. In El Paso, they were blessed with the first of their 3 children, Michael Stephen, in 1985. The young family soon transferred to Kearney, AZ, where son Colin Anthony was born in 1987. Steve’s career then took the family to Omaha, NE, in 1990. While there, they were blessed with a daughter, Kiley Jo, on Christmas Day, 1995. Shortly after, he was transferred yet again, this time back to Montana to the East Helena smelter. 

Following the closure of that operation, the family moved to Billings, where Steve went to work for Stillwater Mining. Steve and Michael were fortunate enough to work together at Stillwater in Columbus and Nye in 2004. When he accepted a new position with Newmont Mining in Winnemucca, NV, he decided the family had moved around enough, and selflessly decided he would commute back and forth, and create a permanent home in Helena to be near the newest family member, granddaughter Harper. That proved to be a good decision, as he was transferred again, this time to Cripple Creek, CO. He retired from Newmont in 2020, after a long and illustrious career. Steve was a brilliant and well-respected engineer, specializing in Project Management. His massive projects always came in on time and under budget, and were always successfully executed. 

Steve’s greatest love was his family. Being a husband, father and grandfather meant everything to him, and he always put family first. Steve and Patti relished time with their children, and happily took them everywhere they went. They had many adventures living in various areas of the country, but Montana was always home. Steve was a passionate MSU Bobcat fan, rarely missing a football game, even when he had to drive 12 hours one way to get there. He loved the outdoors and the mountains, enjoying camping, hiking, fishing, and scenic drives. 

Steve is survived by his wife of 41 years, Patti, of Montana City; son Michael of Denver, CO; son Colin, daughter-in-law Courtney, and granddaughter Harper of Clancy; and daughter Kiley of Helena. He is also survived by his sister Kathy (Bill) McLaughlin, and niece Shannon, as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. 

Steve was a man of great strength and character. They don’t come any better than him. He was deeply loved and will be missed every day. Memorials in Steve’s honor may be sent to the Prickly Pear Land Trust.