Jun 25, 1935 - Feb 17, 2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stephen Shewchuk. Stephen passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 82 after a short battle of pneumonia.
Born on June 25, 1935 in Valley River, Manitoba, Stephen was raised with the strong virtues of farm life. In 1953 he joined the Canadian Army - Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) where he achieved his trade of a Heavy Duty Mechanic. Stephen cherished the 12 years he served his country and would always reflect fondly on army life and the friendships he forged. He received his basic training in Kingston, Ontario and was later stationed in Soest, Germany (working primarily on Centurion tanks), on the Alaska Highway (travelling repair team) and in Alert, Nunavut (the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world, 817 km from the North Pole). While serving he enjoyed travelling around Europe, USA and Mexico.
After being discharged from the Army Stephen worked several years in Northern Alberta where he married Lovey. In 1968, they moved to Pine Point, NWT where he worked as a heavy duty mechanic at Cominco Mines. He loved the North and enjoyed hunting, fishing and dog sled teams.
In 1974, they moved to Princeton, BC to raise a family. Stephen worked for Newmont Mines/Similco Mines until retirement. While living in Princeton he enjoyed hobby farming (raising steers and buffalo), Two Cylinder John Deere tractors, going to auction sales and travelling both locally and regularly across Canada to visit with his much loved family in Manitoba.
Stephen loved his family and always wanted the best for them. He took great pride in everything he did. It was very important to him that anything he did was done right and on schedule. Stephen was a kind, loving man with a tough, rock solid nature that he maintained all the way to the end.
Left to cherish his memory are wife of 50 years, Lovey; children Debbie (Michael), Brenda (Stuart) and Brian; grandchildren Shawn and Ryan; and nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by parents Mike and Mary Shewchuk, sisters Elizabeth, Victoria and Stella and brothers Edward, Stanley and Ernest.
Special thanks to Princeton Home Care Support, BC Ambulance Service, Rob New, Dr David Smith, Susan Hamilton, the Ridgewood Lodge Angels, friends, family and neighbours and to Dr Ella Monroe who is a credit to her profession.