Harold Thomas Steele

Harold was born in Hudson Falls, NY to James Steele and Lucille (Aldous) Steele. He was the middle child with Patricia and Jim as older siblings and Ken and Karen as younger ones. He grew up on a dairy farm owned by his grandfather, Thomas Steele, known in the family as Pater.

Harold graduated from Hudson Falls High School in1961 and married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Johnson, on March 31, 1962. They moved to Rochester, NY where they both worked at Taylor Instrument Company, Harold in the machine shop and Dorothy in the customer service office. After a few years Harold left Taylor’s to work at Kodak. In 1966 they bought a house on Morgan Road in Scottsville. Dorothy left Taylor’s because she was pregnant with their first child, Eric who was born in January 1967. They eventually had four children, Eric, Beth (adopted), David and Jonathan.

In 1971 there was a riot in Attica Prison during which 43 people were killed. This event turned out to be a turning point in the lives of Harold and Dorothy. There was a movement sponsored by local pastors to “bring Christ’s love behind the walls”. Harold and Dorothy volunteered to join this outreach. When they were interviewed by the volunteer coordinator in Attica, Harold was asked if he would consider running a group inside the prison for the men who would be involved in this program. He agreed and that was the beginning of what would become Cephas Attica, Inc. From Harold’s respect for St. Peter, the name Cephas was selected for the organization, based on the gospel of John 1:42. “Andrew led Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas, which translated is Peter meaning stone”.

The original group was held on Wednesday mornings every week. Harold asked Ken Siegel, a good friend whom they had met at a yoga convocation, and who was currently head of the Rochester Yoga Center, to join him as leader of the group. The group’s focus was conversational with a strong emphasis on your own internal actions, reactions and decisions. The purpose of the group was to continue the decision to bring Christ’s Love behind the walls.

Since Harold was working at Kodak, he had to take vacation days and then time off without pay. After a year, Kodak insisted that he come back to work full time. After much prayer, Harold and Dorothy decided that what God was doing with Cephas was not finished. Harold left Kodak, joined with Ken and a friend who was a skilled carpenter, to take construction jobs to earn money. This was the beginning of Cephas Construction Company. There were then 3 groups weekly in Attica Prison.

Cephas incorporated as a 501c3 in 1975. This enabled them to speak with churches and other individuals and organizations to raise funds for the ministry, resulting not only in funds but also in a volunteer force numbering over 200. In 1981 Cephas bought a two story, five storefront building from the City of Rochester. This was rehabbed by Cephas Construction and opened as a residence for men coming out of the groups who chose to live with Cephas. Cephas Bakery and Catering began in two of the storefronts as did an office overseen by Dorothy. Later Cephas Energy Store occupied another storefront, selling kerosun heaters and window quilts.

Ken Siegel was residence staff 24/7 from 1981 to 1996 joined by Mary, Stephanie, Frank and Fred. Parolees agreed to a minimum 90 day stay (some stayed a year or more). Rules were strict. Training in work ethics and job skills was given in the bakery, catering or construction as well as in a few businesses owned by volunteers.

Over the years the number of groups increased to eight per week at five different prisons. Most groups were led by Harold and Ken. Some groups were led by trained volunteers who became group leaders. All groups welcomed others from the community who wanted to be part of the experience.

Two Franciscan friars from St. Patrick’s Friary in Buffalo began attending the Wednesday group regularly. Within two years the Friary voted to let parolees being released come to live with them at the friary. This initiative was led by Brother David Schlatter who brought all the residents to the regular meetings on Tuesday nights in the Rochester building and the regular Sunday gatherings in Scottsville.

The success rate of men going through the Cephas program (meaning no criminal involvement for three years) was 72%. The NYS rate was @37%. Twice in the 1980s Cephas was awarded the Eleanor Roosevelt Volunteer Service award given by the Governor of NYS. All the staff and current residents traveled to Albany for this honor which was presented by Matilda Cuomo, the Governor’s wife.

One of the attributes that we encouraged was gratitude. Those men who practiced gratitude were the ones most likely to have a positive readjustment. We would also take each resident to whatever church, synagogue, temple they were a part of. If they had no particular background, they went to church with staff. Everyone participated in the Wednesday evening bible study.

Celebration of events, accomplishments no matter how small, holidays, birthdays, Christmas: all were celebrated. Many of the men had never had a birthday cake, or a family Christmas. Christmas was always a major fun time. Many churches donated gifts of all kinds. The staff spent two weeks assigning and wrapping gifts. On Christmas afternoon all the staff and their children, the residents, some volunteers would gather around the tree at the home of a volunteer and enjoy a wonderful celebration.

Harold was a strong, effective, insightful leader of Cephas whose main focus was to help others develop their own relationship with Jesus. He was respected and loved by many, many people. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Thursday afternoon, November 30, 1989 at age 46. His funeral was held on Monday, December 4^th at St. Mary’s Church in Scottsville. Sixteen priests, pastors and Franciscan brothers jointly officiated the service. The church was full.