May 5, 1936-Elk Point, AB – April 9, 2020-Cochrane, AB
Ed Stepaniuk passed away peacefully on April 9 at the age of 83 years at Bethany Care Centre, Cochrane. Besides Mary, his devoted wife of 52 years, Ed is mourned by his daughters Heather, Tanya (Jon), Andrea (Mike) and grandchildren Meghan, Kacey and Jack. Ed was predeceased by his parents Karl (Kiryk) and Sophie (Eudokia) and elder brothers Mike, Steve, John, and Bill. After growing up on the family farm near Elk Point, Ed moved to Edmonton to study at the University of Alberta. He worked summers at construction and meat packing jobs.
After becoming a teacher in 1955 he taught at schools in Derwent, Wainwright, Nampa and Dapp. Ed moved to Valleyview in 1966 to become the principal and also teacher (especially junior high math) at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Separate School where he met the home economics teacher Mary Johnson whom he married in 1967. After working very hard helping numerous students and new teachers, Ed took early retirement in 1991 and swapped his immaculate suits and ties for plaid shirts, sweat pants, and ball caps.
After Ed and Mary moved to an acreage near Cochrane in 1996 Ed was in his element tending to his trees, vegetable, and flower gardens. He spent countless hours on his lawnmower making the perfect lawn. He enjoyed walks with his Best Friend corgi Dexter, reading Westerns in his smoking shed, and numerous DIY projects. Ed was a lifetime member of the Lions Clubs of Cochrane and Valleyview. For many years he held executive positions and helped organize the Valleyview Lions Campground and Cochrane Lions Rodeo as well as other fundraising events.
His family fondly remembers camping and canoeing with him around Alberta and BC, his perfectly BBQed steaks, his love of family gatherings, wine, and politics, his generosity, and sense of humour.
The family is grateful that Ed did not contract Covid 19, and that in his last hours Mary and Heather were able to be with him. Ed passed away listening to his favourite instrumental Celtic music CD.
Thank-you to many of the nurses and aides at Bow Crest Care home in Calgary and Bethany Care Home in Cochrane. A special thank-you to Dr. Catherine Heaton at Bow Crest, and nurses Beth, and Cathy P. at Bethany for their care and compassion towards Ed.
A small service was held at St. Andrew’s United Church in Cochrane with Reverend Ray Goodship for Mary and Heather. The family hopes to have a Celebration of Life when it is safe to do so.
Donations may be made in Ed’s memory to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, Heart & Stroke Foundation AB/NWT/Nunavut Division, Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary, and Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
Arrangements entrusted to Cochrane Country Funeral Home, Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director. Ph: 403-932-1039. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward Adam Stepaniuk, please visit our flower store.
Ed Stepaniuk passed away peacefully on April 9 at the age of 83 years at Bethany Care Centre, Cochrane. Besides Mary, his devoted wife of 52 years, Ed is mourned by his daughters Heather, Tanya (Jon), Andrea (Mike) and grandchildren Meghan, Kacey and Jack. Ed was predeceased by his parents Karl (Kiryk) and Sophie (Eudokia) and elder brothers Mike, Steve, John, and Bill. After growing up on the family farm near Elk Point, Ed moved to Edmonton to study at the University of Alberta. He worked summers at construction and meat packing jobs.
After becoming a teacher in 1955 he taught at schools in Derwent, Wainwright, Nampa and Dapp. Ed moved to Valleyview in 1966 to become the principal and also teacher (especially junior high math) at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Separate School where he met the home economics teacher Mary Johnson whom he married in 1967. After working very hard helping numerous students and new teachers, Ed took early retirement in 1991 and swapped his immaculate suits and ties for plaid shirts, sweat pants, and ball caps.
After Ed and Mary moved to an acreage near Cochrane in 1996 Ed was in his element tending to his trees, vegetable, and flower gardens. He spent countless hours on his lawnmower making the perfect lawn. He enjoyed walks with his Best Friend corgi Dexter, reading Westerns in his smoking shed, and numerous DIY projects. Ed was a lifetime member of the Lions Clubs of Cochrane and Valleyview. For many years he held executive positions and helped organize the Valleyview Lions Campground and Cochrane Lions Rodeo as well as other fundraising events.
His family fondly remembers camping and canoeing with him around Alberta and BC, his perfectly BBQed steaks, his love of family gatherings, wine, and politics, his generosity, and sense of humour.
The family is grateful that Ed did not contract Covid 19, and that in his last hours Mary and Heather were able to be with him. Ed passed away listening to his favourite instrumental Celtic music CD.
Thank-you to many of the nurses and aides at Bow Crest Care home in Calgary and Bethany Care Home in Cochrane. A special thank-you to Dr. Catherine Heaton at Bow Crest, and nurses Beth, and Cathy P. at Bethany for their care and compassion towards Ed.
A small service was held at St. Andrew’s United Church in Cochrane with Reverend Ray Goodship for Mary and Heather. The family hopes to have a Celebration of Life when it is safe to do so.
Donations may be made in Ed’s memory to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, Heart & Stroke Foundation AB/NWT/Nunavut Division, Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary, and Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
Arrangements entrusted to Cochrane Country Funeral Home, Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director. Ph: 403-932-1039. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward Adam Stepaniuk, please visit our flower store.
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