Condolence: Steve was a great person. He had such a unique spirit. When I knew him I knew him to have struggled with some issues in his life but had such a perseverance. I knew at the time he really wanted a child and I’m so glad to learn that he experienced that joy and I’m very sure he must have been elated by it. What a bright light that has been extinguished! He had a wild spirit that had such great potential that unfortunately , at least at one time, some bad influences exploited. Although I did not know him in recent years, I feel your loss and how profound it must be to lose such a wonderful person. What I knew about him is he really admired his brothers and sisters and loved his mom very deeply. I bet he was an amazing dad and it must have torn him apart to think of leaving his son behind. What I knew of him was that a lot of the people who knew him looked up to him and really enjoyed his sense of humor, his ‘big’ personality, his big heart. He really cared for his friends deeply. Just a diamond in the rough that not enough people got to know. I’m really sorry for your loss!!

Condolence: I met Steve at West Humber JMS … we always seemed to be in the same class since JK! In his younger years, Steve had his cheeky moments and often gave teachers a run for their money. It took Mrs Nodel to straighten that out !! His sense of humour was contagious, he was one of the popular kids that remained super respectful. I may have even been the culprit that gave him and half the class the chicken pox in Middle School. In our teen years, we went to separate High Schools, but stayed in touch all throughout our early 20’s and eventually lost contact. He helped me through some personal issues and was always someone so neutral and easy to talk to. All these years I’ve missed his friendship and especially saddened to hear of his recent suffering. My heart and thoughts go out to all his family and truly hope that they can be comforted by his peace and eternal love that lives within.

Condolence: I met Stephen in high school. Stephen and I came from diametrically opposed backgrounds - and that is probably the case with a lot of his friends from Rexdale.

I've lost count of how many times I heard "Brick" say how much he appreciated being taken in/embraced/accepted by the crew at West Humber. He would always engage in protracted retrospectives and reminisce about the many great times we had and how we tuned him into a wicked basketball player (he was really just "ok").

Who would have known at the time that the friendships and bonds we were forming would be so treasured and so enduring?

What Stephen didn't understand at the time was that that "WE" loved him as much as he loved us because he had the temerity to flatly reject the racism, socioeconomic bias and prejudice that we were used to. When many people would look askance at us, raise their guard around us and even clutch their valuables more tightly when we were near; along came Stephen. Along came Stephen not caring about what other people thought. Along he came jumping all-in with us even though he had been juxtaposed as if for artistic effect. He was in an almost comical way often the "minority" - and nobody present would care.

Stephen was simply "really real". What you saw and heard was what he was and he was intrinsically unapologetic about it. Likewise Stephen accepted everyone's strengths and their flaws. True, he always wanted "better" for his friends, but he looked down upon nobody. As though he himself lived in a glass house he threw no stones.

Man, there are so many things I will miss. Too many to count. I will miss listening to oldschool hip hop mixes and talking sports - especially debating who the top athletes were. It was always fun to make bold statements that some lackluster player should be a hall of famer just watch Stephen lose his mind and launch into a diatribe culminating into resounding declarations about how wrong and miscalculating you were (I'm using far gentler words than he).

I will miss Brick's ebullient but abjectly terrible attempts at speaking Patois.

When Stephen fell ill, he spoke for long periods of time about how many friends whom he hadn't seen or heard from for what seemed like an eternity came running. He was very touched by that. I told him that that was a reflection of himself...a testament to the very strength of love he put out. He left his mark on people - and even though "life got in the way" it behooved his friends to offer any help that they could.

Sadly, no friend on earth was able to alter the course...

But what a friend we have in Jesus!

Our grief, though heavy, can only be alleviated by knowledge that where Stephen is there is no pain.

Stephen, may God bless you and bring you happiness and rest. May God bless your family and especially your son with the health, strength and power of family togetherness as they mourn and move forward without you.

Rest in peace, my brother. I will miss you and God willing I will see you again.


-Wayne

Condolence: I am so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a great guy and someone I truly respected in high school. Always smiling, always up for fun, friends with everyone. He was one in a million and he will be greatly missed by all that met him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. May your memories of Steve keep him close to your heart. Rest in peace.

Condolence: It is with heartfelt condolences that I express my love to Aunty Margaret and all remaining family in the passing of Stephen. Having known Stephen as a maverick all the 32 years I've been in the family, he showed that dogged determination to remain at home and transition from life on earth to his eternal resting place free from sickness, pain from the place he felt most comfortable, in his own bed at home. Thanks John, Kathy, Billy and Caroline for all the TLC given to Stephen in his journey the past 7 months. May the Lord richly comfort you in this season of grief. Much prayer has gone up on your behalf by Ruth, Aunty Doris and I. Love you all, Simon

Condolence: We are very sorry to hear of Steve's passing. Love & condolences to Steve's son Nathan and all Steve's family. Hugs & prayers at this sad & difficult time.
Richard & Wanda

Condolence: My condolences to you all during this difficult time. I will always remember Steve as someone who welcomed me into his home and made me feel like part of the family. I’m heartbroken that he has gone home but happy that he is reunited with his dad.

Much love to you all, Ryan