Of Carlsbad, California after suffering through the final years of Multiple Sclerosis passed away August 23, 2023. In his final years he was cared for through Carlsbad Elder Care Homes, the devoted staff of Heritage Hills Assisted Living in Oceanside along with Hospice of the South Coast. Steve was born in 1949 to Jacqueline Dewey Everingham and Leo Joseph Welnick Jr., Phoenix, Arizona, where he spent his cherished childhood and received his Catholic education. Following his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Northern Arizona University, Steve assisted in his fathers business in Los Banos, California packing cantaloupes by day and tending to his father's restaurant at night. Ultimately leaving Los Banos, Steve travelled to San Diego Otay Mesa working state side selling and distributing tomatoes out of Baja, Mexico. In 1978 Steve began working for King Salad Avocado in Vista. Steve's career in the produce industry spanned 50 years and ended with his 2014 retirement from Cal~Net / Harvest Time Produce, Oceanside. Most significantly, Steve worked in the golden age of "The California Avocado" before the introduction of foreign avocados in the US market. Due to his long association and reputation in the avocado industry he came to be known as "Avocado Steve". His love of photography, sports, movies, books and all things art, led him to serve 4 years as a docent for the California Center of Arts Escondido. Steve was member of St. Patricks' Catholic Church, Carlsbad and worked in unaffiliated fellowships to inspire and mentor others through personal issues.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Leo Vincent, twin brother Joseph Dennis and older sister Nancy Lea Welnick. Steve is survived by his wife Anna Mae Burns Welnick, oldest son Leo Burns Welnick Carlsbad, younger son Joseph William Welnick and daughter-in-law Delilah Renee and three granddaughters, Emery Rain, Anna Maria, Delilah Rue, all of Oceanside. Steve will be remembered and sadly missed by a host cousins, nieces and nephews.