Saratoga High School Teacher Remembered For His 'Love of Art'

Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District administrators, teachers and students are mourning the death of beloved art educator Stephen John McCue.

McCue died Jan. 4 at the age of 47 after a courageous battle with cancer mesothelioma, which he bravely faced for more than a year.

The Los Gatos resident was an art teacher at Saratoga High School where he taught drawing, painting and digital photography.

District Superintendent Bob Mistele expressed his sorrow with the news of McCue's death and said the Canada native had shared his love for art, both the discipline and the creative process, with his students since joining the district in 1998.  

"Entering his classroom, you'd be sure to see students learning and engaged— just before Steve enthusiastically drew your attention to a piece of student art, with a 'look at this ...' " Mistele said.

McCue was committed to his students and his colleagues, the superintendent added. "He was known for his dry wit and being a fan of Cher, who said 'I can trust my friends. These people encourage me to grow.' "

Mistele said McCue knew the value of friendship, especially lately, as so many in the district community rallied to support him.

"Whether Steve was a close friend, colleague, or simply a name you’ve heard, he was one of us and his passing is a huge loss. He will be missed,” Mistele said.

According to his obituary on legacy.com, McCue was also a sculptor and painter who graduated from Leigh High School in San Jose and earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts from San Jose State University where he received his teaching credential.

Prior to teaching, McCue worked for Mountain View's Creative Publications as a photographer and graphic designer.

SHS will be having a memorial service for McCue at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 at the McAfee Performing Arts and Lecture Center, 20300 Herriman Ave., in Saratoga.