Jean & Stephen
The TOTALLY IMPRESSIVE Wedding Party
Jim Dellies
Best Man
The youngest of 6 siblings, he was taken to the UP (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) at the age of 2 on a family vacation and “was never the same since!” He is a certified jack of all trades, and a MASTER of them all! A handyman extraordinaire – he maintains the collection of vintage WW II, classic vehicles and ATVs that Steve and he enjoy driving, creating WWII flying yard art, maintaining, trading and racing slot cars! The proud parent, with his wife Nancy, of three boys, JR, Trevor, and Gus ... and Grampa to JRs daughters Emily and Lottie. Arriving to our celebration from the scenic Detroit suburb of Clinton Township, in the “thumb” of Michigan.
Brian Bloomfield
Groomsman
Brian’s teddy bear-like physique hides the intelligent, techno wizard, engineer geek underneath - a bit out of place in the Red Neck Riviera (AKA FL Panhandle). He loves long walks on the beach, a good poker game with the guys, hanging out with his family: wife, Jessica, two boys Kyle and Bryce, and dotes on daddy’s little girl Claire. Prefers the sultry skies of FL to his native Washington state. Tells a GREAT story! Sit down with your favorite adult beverage and ask him to tell you about hauling Christmas trees on the West coast …. working with his all-time favorite boss, Josee… or scuba diving in the Gulf, among other hilarious topics!
Tim Higa “The Flying Hawaiian”
Groomsman
Arriving from the west coast state of Washington, with his wife Gail and son Travis. Tim is ALWAYS ready to help. In his native Hawaii language, this translates to mean “Get the hell out of my way so I can show you how to do this!” Also a techno wizard, Tim was Steve’s partner in crime during their USAF active duty days flying the C-17 at Charleston, SC. They would occasionally be seen in the local swimming pool to practice “Eskimo rolls” in their kayaks. Tim is well known for his love of ice cream (and pralines), a good time and a good joke!
Linda McAndrews
Matron of Honor
“Besties” since freshman year at Cardinal Mooney HS in Rochester, NY - she drove me to get my drivers permit - & my life of adventures began! Linda stayed in Rochester, married her late husband, Mike, & raised three daughters, while running their Surgical instrumentation company. Finally retired, she recently relocated to Seminole FL to be closer to her dad & stepmom in St Pete, & escape 9 months of COLD upstate NY weather! She is grandma to 7 grandkids, is an avid photographer, cook (with killer recipes for garlic dill pickles, polish sausage & kombucha), & knows how to stay calm & maintain a GREAT sense of humor in the midst of chaos - organized or otherwise! Loving the life FL has to offer, year-round access to outdoor wildlife & photo ops & a new pet shelter volunteer job.
Jaime Bell
Bridesmaid
Jean’s oldest daughter, arriving from north San Francisco where she's currently working as a “traveling” physical therapist. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2016 with a degree in Health Sciences, & completed her DPT from the University of St Augustine in December 2018. Her PT jobs have taken her to diverse practice settings in NM, FL, GA, & NC. (Spartanburg & Myrtle Beach NC, Carlsbad, NM, Port St Joe FL) An animal lover & outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys scenic alpine hikes, walking the beach, yoga, camping with friends, & finding the best local microbreweries & vegetarian cuisine. She recently became a “cat mom” to Blue, who loves his dog cousins & will be able to boast that he is completely potty trained - using a human toilet! And that his mom just climbed snowy Half Dome in Yosemite NP, CA in March with his “Uncle Brady!”
Brady Bell
Cheauffeur & #1 Son
Brady is currently wrapping up another chapter in his “professional student” career doing senior year course work in Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana Tech with graduation date set for Fall 2022. He's already earned a BS in Advanced Math, Interdisciplinary Studies, & Minor in Business Administration while playing/starting at 3rd base on his D- 1 baseball team at Nichols in Thibodeaux, LA. An all around outdoor enthusiast/sportsman, hunter, fisherman, scuba diver & spear fisher. He has transitioned from college baseball player to CrossFit enthusiast - and has earned certification as an instructor! A great way to stay fit & pay some bills! Set to graduate later in 2022, untold employment opportunities down the road - but life’s latest big adventure was climbing a snowy Half Dome in Yosemite NP, CA - crampons, ice pics, and climbing cables, et al! Now on to Kilimanjaro!
Aviana Bell
Bridesmaid
Jean’s youngest daughter, Aviana is working to complete required patient care hours at a PC dermatology practice in preparation for entering PA school at FSU in Tallahassee in Aug 2022. She graduated from UF in Gainesville in May 2021, with a degree in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology. She just got engaged to her high school sweetheart, RJ, who is playing shortstop at MSU, & will graduate in May 2022. They will be getting married on July 4, 2022, & moving to Tally for 15 months of PA didactics. The proud mom of two kitty siblings, Brooks & Dunn, who will be COMPLETELY potty-trained to use a human toilet well before wedding time (trying to keep up with their cousin 'Blue")! An accomplished pianist, crafter, gardener, runner, & outdoor enthusiast!
Elizabeth Dellies
Mother of the Groom
Proud mom of 6 children, 10 grandkids and 2 great grand kids! She spent years developing a professional tennis-like swing using the "board of education" on her sons. She has lived in Roseville MI, where she moved in 1958 as a newlywed with her late husband Richard. The 2nd of 5 siblings - connoisseur of board games - accomplished card shark. Often accused of cheating, but never proven, she has an IMPRESSIVE win record. Also renowned for her works in cryogenics - it is rumored that she has a ham in her freezer dated from the early 1950s. A follower of Richard Edwardes, who was rumored to be an illegitimate son of Henry VIII and author of "Waste not, want not." Everything is a treasure- NOTHING is trash! Beloved by her trashman for the virtually non-existent weekly pickup.
Claudia Cliffel
Mother of the Bride
Proud mom of 5 kids, 5 grandkids & retired from a stellar nursing career, to her current home in Livonia on Conesus Lake for the past 25 years. She raised her family to love the great outdoors, traveling to camp in countless scenic adventure spots across the state & nation. Supervising road trips pulling a popup camper (after upgrading from a 6 person cabin tent) no destination was too far! There was a never-ending supply of PB&J sandwiches & Beach Boys' music on the van's 8 track cassette player. Since moving from Rochester to Livonia, she has become the now INFAMOUS "Claudia of Livonia," featured citizen weather reporter on the local ABC channel 13 evening news, banded bluebirds for Cornell University, & tracked seasonal activity of EVERY animal & flower on her 70 acre property.
Earl Cliffel
Father of the Bride
Claudia's husband for the past 62 years, he too shared his love of the outdoors AND water - teaching the finer points of sailing & competitive racing to all 5 kids. He moved his young family from his home town of Cleveland, OH to Rochester for a job, & stayed there even after they moved to TX taking a job as a physicist & mathematical analyst with Kodak when he retired many moons ago. NEVER to be outdone by any of his kids' pursuits, he took up running & has collected over 1000+ t-shirts from various 5K - 10 mile races. And joined his sons in competing in the Adirondack's Great race. As the self-proclaimed “Earl of Conesus”- he has made more than 2000 trips around the 20 mile lake he calls home - “ just cuz!” So challenges these days come in many shapes, sizes, & locations - just ask!
Emily Dellies
Flower Girl
Scheduled to arrive back in the USA in August 2022 with her active duty USAF dad JR and mom Lindsey. In Nov 2021, she become a big sister to baby Lottie Violet. She is a budding artist who loves to draw, “ride” her bike, and is learning to rollerblade & ice skate - so she can play hockey with her dad! And “organize” - which really means “exercise!” LOL! In her busy 3 year old life - she loves chocolate, French fries and (depending on the day & her mood) asparagus. Her favorite movies are Disney classics - Frozen, Encanto & the Smurfs! So NATURALLY she loves all things magical, sparkly, & girly!” She will soon know the joys of American retail therapy - mentored by family & friends - in ways that the expensive German economy were not able to show her, especially with COVID closings.
Fr Peter Shaw
Officiant
The Very Rev. Fr. Peter Shaw has been the forward thinking, problem-solving & energetic pastor of St Joseph’s since Sept 2014. And since this is my (the bride’s bio of him after just one meeting, I hope I don’t misrepresent him in any way!). No problem is too big or too small for this multitalented man’s ministry - from spiritual guidance to two church’s septic & structural challenges - he faces them with a loving, can-do attitude that has gotten the attention & approval of his Bishop & parishioners alike. As the youngest of 9, he learned the fine art of thinking outside the box to get things done, negotiating to make/seal a deal, & THRIVING in the midst of usual family life chaos. In 2020, he completed his Licentiate degree in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America.
Peggy Smith
All around talented “Crafty Lady” and Chief Floral Designer
One of Steve’s BEST neighbors from Wilmington, NC. She & husband Milford will be traveling to our fairytale celebration towing a U-Haul trailer loaded with flower arrangements, centerpieces & other wedding goodies & their two beloved retired (& a bit crazy) greyhounds, Zee & Ladybug. As an Auburn University Commercial Art major, she has CREATED EVERYTHING! Baking in the kitchen, creating stained glass in her studio, painting murals on grandkids walls, & in the garden digging in the dirt! She cheers on Auburn war Eagles, travels with Greyhound Friends of NC, sews doggie costumes, & volunteers at a local food pantry. Married to the love of her life for 40 years, “Stud Muffin - Dingleberry” Mil has been perfecting the art of microbrewery for 10 years with Peg’s love & encouragement.
Gus Dellies
Driver, Mechanic, and Dog-Sitter
Our best man Jim and his wife Nancy’s youngest of three sons, Gus has inherited all of the many talents and good looks his dad has passed down to him. No car restoration project is too difficult for him to plan, execute, and admire on any of the vintage 1940’s WWII Army vehicles or the latest addition, a 1934 Ford Fodor!
David Cliffel
Jack of all trades, designer, sports car guy, outdoorsman
As a boy carrying toads in a shirt pocket - until today, he has never missed an opportunity to enjoy & study nature’s beauty & pursue outdoor hobbies, along with his late wife, Colleen. A former Army radio operator, retired science teacher, fondly known as “Mr C Science Geek, a seasoned sailor, certified boat Captain (just in case you need a capt/navigator for your bareboat cruise in the Caribbean). A self taught designer of unique river tables, he NEVER misses an opportunity to act goofy, have fun & help others. He cut & hauled the pine logs from PA, & will be a designated venue decorator/foreman under close supervision by his girlfriend Sharyn, who has learned how quickly things can get “rowdy” when David & his imagination (& his two other brothers join forces) & are left unsupervised!