Last Updated on February 7, 2025 by Editor
The Surace Family, from left: Daughter and son-in-law Emily and Jon Steenburg and their daughter Hadley; Gina and Steve; and daughter Rachel and her boyfriend Matthew.
Steve Surace and Gina Reale met at a college event. Their friendship grew and turned into love. They raised two girls and now have a granddaughter. They built careers together and give back to the community — and to the parish they love.
Gina: You’re a numbers woman. You are the founder of Clearview Accounting LLC, were controller at Notre Dame Junior-Senior High School and finance manager at Utica Coffee Roasting Co. How did you get attracted to that field?
I guess math and numbers have always interested me, which led me to my first full-time job at the Savings Bank of Utica as a teller, which led to the loan department and so on.
Gina: What you do at Clearview?
I created Clearview as a result of my time at Notre Dame and my continued partnership with Utica Coffee. This allows me to be able to grow and help other businesses in the area with their financial bookkeeping so they can focus on what they know best, their business. It isn’t always about the financial numbers as much as it is taking the time to get to know the owners and learn about their business.
Steve: You’re a numbers guy. You’re a CPA, management consultant and involved in real estate development. Same question: How did you get attracted to that field?
I was always interested in real estate — Gina and I building our own home and renovating so many others. We loved the ideas of transformation. Gina then wanted to acquire a cottage community in Inlet. In her acquiring and setting up and running this business, we started to think about other transformations. After some time running the business, we had an opportunity to acquire a property from her uncle, and Gina had the vision to transform it into loft apartments. We then had some additional opportunities along the way. I think our early years of transforming our homes turned into turning old properties into new.
Gina: How did you guys meet? Was it love at first sight or something else?
As Steve describes below, we met at a college event, had mutual friends in common and started to spend more time as friends together getting to know each other which evolved into a relationship.
Steve: How did the courtship develop? Did you take the lead or was it Gina?
We met one evening at a college event and while I was enamored with her, I chased her first as being a friend until we both learned enough about each other to move toward a relationship.
Gina: One of your favorite spots to relax is the family camp on Otter Lake. What’s so special about that place?
Well, this place, where to begin. Steve’s parents had a place on Otter from when the girls were babies. So, getting to spend time there we came to enjoy our time there and wanted to be close to his parents. As luck would have it, we found a place in walking distance to my in-laws. We have built this “camp” into our summer home away from home where we spend quality family time. Unplugging from reality and getting to enjoy time on the water, in front of campfires and a place we’re now not only us but our extended family loves to come and spend time. We have the best memories of kayak rides on the lake and taking swim lessons in Old Forge pond. Our hope is that our daughters will continue to cherish this place to bring family together and enjoy spending time together.
Steve: Another favorite vacation spot is south Florida. Where exactly do you vacation and what’s so special about that area?
We have a home in southwest Florida. We initially visited my parents and enjoyed the time there in the winter months. We decided that maybe we could set down some roots to eventually have a place to go to on some regular basis. We stayed at my cousin’s home a few times and really got a rhythm and excitement over being there. We began to search out and found that it was place we could spend with family and each other.
Gina: You both are involved in community service, sitting on boards of different entities. Why do you give so much of your time to those endeavors?
As Steve mentions, giving back has been something we both feel very strongly about. We have been blessed with the love and support of family and friends along with the good fortune of both having good careers. For us giving back came very natural. We both not only come from families who have taught us the importance of giving back but know how hard they worked to be able to give us the best life.
Steve: Why is community service important to you?
I always felt that giving back is something that keeps you grounded, and also coming from homes that were of lesser means where opportunities were given by other community organizations. I felt that I wanted to give back in the ways I was given, too.
Gina: You both are long-time parishioners at our church. You’re a past member of the finance committee, past chairwoman of festival finance committee and volunteer for annual feast. Why is this parish special to you?
Mount Carmel holds a special place in my heart as a former student at the school, to following in my grandparents and parents footsteps by getting married on the same altar. Baptizing both my girls and soon my granddaughter will be baptized there as well. Sharing this wonderful place and community with my family.
Steve: You are on the parish’s finance committee and former finance co-chair of the festival. Describe what Mount Carmel means to you?
I love being able to use my skills that help contribute to the church in a way that I feel I can add a lot of value for the church.
Gina: You and Steve just became grandparents. Describe what that feeling is like.
This feeling is indescribable. Everyone tried to tell me that it is a love like no other, I am learning that. You never think you can love someone as much if not more than your children. Hadley has already brought so much love and joy to our family. I can’t wait to continue to watch her grow and hopefully be able to give her the love and foundation of family that I was so fortunate to have. If I can become half of the grandparent to her that all of mine gave me, I will consider myself successful. If they taught me anything is that family, love and faith are all you need to live a happy life.
Steve: Same question for you.
It is amazing seeing this little person. Watching our daughter become a mom and watching her raise this child and make it look so easy just amazes me every day. My eyes twinkle every time I see her.
Gina: You’ve raised two young ladies. What are your plans for treating your granddaughter?
My plan — to spend as much time with her as possible. Because time is the one thing that there is never enough of. Yes of course, I think spoiling her goes without saying!
Steve and Gina Surace
- Ages: Gina 50, Steve 49.
- Family: Daughter and son-in-law Emily and Jon Steenburg, daughter Rachel, infant granddaughter Hadley.
- Occupations: Gina is owner of Clearview Accounting LLC and a member of the SUNY Poly Foundation Board; Steve is a certified public accountant and management consultant, and real estate development; also, board member and finance committee member on Mohawk Valley Edge and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and former board member of United Way and of The NYS Society of CPAs.
- Favorite vacation spots: Otter Lake, Southwest Florida, family camp at Otter Lake.
- Activities outside of work: Gina and Steve are avid hockey fans and season ticket holders for the Utica Comets, boating.