STEPANIUK, Edward Adam
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.
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Mary and Family
We are deeply saddened to hear of Ed’s passing and send our heartfelt sympathy to all.
We have many fond memories of Ed while living on the acreage.
Terry and Joyce Morey
I have known Ed since he transferred to the Cochrane Lions Club.
We worked together on many Lions activities, and I always enjoyed his dry sense of humor.
A great guy, he’ll be missed by myself and all the other members of the Cochrane Lions Club.
Ed you were an inspiration and will be truly missed
Ed you were an inspiration and will be truly missed. It was always a pleasure to volunteer with you
I always enjoyed chatting with Ed at Lions meetings, or when bumping into him around town. He had a great sense of humour, and was truly a gentleman and a scholar. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to you Mary, and to all of the family.
Ed will be missed in our Lions Club. He was a leader and never failed to provide input on major decisions. Who will forget his expertise as our pancake batter mixer during Footstock? He was always covered in mix by the end of the day but was there every year. He epitomized what being a Lion was all about…service. Rest well my friend!
Ed was one of the first Lions I had the opportunity to literally work beside as we washed dishes after our meals together for dang near a year , we caught about our families and life, he made my first year with the club more than memorable. Rest in the blue skies of the Clouds My friend !!!
I worked for a number of years with Ed manning the Rodeo gates, and Ed always made it fun, not work. I will always appreciate the way he respected me and everyone else. A fine man and an excellent Lion.
Ed was an inspiration to me when I joined the Lions Club back in 2000. Ed was a leader and one of the most caring and giving person I have ever met. It was an honor working alongside Ed at Cochrane Lions Club events over the years. Ed was always helping out with a smile at countless Lions Club Pancake Breakfasts mixing the batter and flipping the pancakes!
You will truly be missed ED!
There are few people I know that are always so highly regarded as Ed Stepaniuk. I wish I had joined Cochrane Lions earlier in my life and had an opportunity to get to know him. Rest in Peace Ed and condolences to your family
There are few people I know that are always so highly regarded as Ed Stepaniuk. I wish I had joined Cochrane Lions earlier in my life and had an opportunity to get to know him. Rest in Peace Ed and condolences to your family
I knew Ed during his early years in his teaching career. We taught at Derwent school in the early 1960s. Ed lived in a small small house provided by the school board. There were a number of us young teachers at the school which had grades one to twelve. Ed was a few years older than me and was a source of guidance to those of us who were younger. His house was a hang out for us.
I well remember his 1958 Pontiac car!! He was very proud of it.
I lost track of Ed about the time he was in Dapp.
My condolences to his family. He was a well respected teacher.
Marshall Grekul
I remember Ed from St Stevens, Valleyview (1970 – 1972). He was
generous with his friendship and a great administrator.
Doug Walsh