STEVEN FREDERICK OWEN

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STEVEN FREDERICK OWEN December 9, 1940 July 6, 2007 On Thursday evening, July 5 among many of his dearest friends Steve suffered a heart attack and he passed away early Friday in the Lake of the Woods District Hospital. Steve was born December 9, 1940 in Winnipeg. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy, his son Doug and wife Paula of Toronto, their sons, Griffin and Tim, as well as his daughter Wendy of Montreal. Steve was predeceased by his infant daughter Kathleen. During Steve's early years he lived in Winnipeg where he attended elementary school, met his future wife and made many lifelong friends. He decamped to Bishops College School for high school, and then attended the University of Manitoba where he was an active member of the Zeta Psi fraternity. On completion of his formal education Steve embarked on a career with Richardson Securities in Winnipeg. His ever-increasing responsibilities took him to London Ontario, Edmonton, Vancouver, Montreal and back to Winnipeg where he served as National Sales Manager. Most recently Steve worked from Victoria and Lake of the Woods for National Bank Financial. Steve's passion was sailing which he learned at Lake of the Woods. He competed in many Trans Erie and Mackinac races as well as the Newport-Bermuda. The highlight of his sailing adventures was a Trans-Atlantic Race from Marblehead, Massachusetts to Cork, Ireland in 1979. Though his family always came first, Steve was a sportsman and embraced the out of doors. Friends will long remember their times with him; rowing, sailing, hunting and playing squash. As a sportsman and a builder Steve was a founding member of the London Squash Racquets Club as well as the Evergreen Squash Club in West Vancouver. Steve was a long time member and supporter of the Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club and was Commodore in 1985. Steve often said one's community is only as good as one's input and his lifelong activities certainly demonstrated this. He was a Director of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary in Victoria and the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association. He spent many years supporting Ducks Unlimited and Fort Whyte Centre. Steve was also an active Rotarian with the Winnipeg and Victoria clubs and as a visiting member at the Kenora club. Among his other many other volunteer activities was mentoring students at the University of Victoria. Steve had a presence that filled a room and a manner that built lasting relationships and friendships. His absence from our lives will be greatly felt. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 12 at 1:00 p.m. at St. George's Church, 168 Wilton St. in Winnipeg followed by a reception. A memorial service will also be held in Victoria at a later date. In lieu of flowers friends may donate to: Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation, the Canadian Diabetes Association or a charity of their choice. Brown Funeral Home in care of arrangements. (807) 468-8633.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 09, 2007