PAGET JOHN STEWART

Condolences & Memories (13 entries)

• Just seeing the very sad, tragic passage, had of course heard of Paget and had a hockey friend ski with him. I was also passionate about XC skiing. It was by meeting Bob, his Dad through birding and nature that I write, I am so sorry to learn of this sadness, of the impact of Depression and I thank you for spelling it out clearly, so that we can all become more aware and caring. - Posted by: Paul Buchanan (friend of his Dad) on: Jan 02, 2022

• I was writing ski things this evening, and Paget things came to mind. I wound up at this memorial site and read the memories. It hurt. I have never given him my testament to him. I am sorry Paget. Paget was a school mate, first, team mate and competitor. My first memory of him was I was in grade 5 and he in 4. He had Osgood-Schlatter in grade 6 or 7 and I remember him playing soccer in a full length leg cast , as this was the regular treatment modality. He kept playing. We skied together as kids in jackrabbits, raced together and traveled together as kids. I have the pictures. My remembrance of Pag changing attitudes as a competitor was at the Pinawa Manitoba Champs in 78, or 79, I beat him, he was my 30 second man at the start and I caught him at the finish line. That was the last time I beat Paget. Paget trained harder than me, studied it harder than me, and his results speak that way. We would end up tripping over ourselves after getting out of SJR. We both gravitated to the mountains and the Invermere valley in BC, and ski mentor Lyle Wilson. We actually shared a trailer while he was getting ready for the Olympics. He left behind a Blizzard team size ski bag which I now cherish. It is kept for the mountain skis. One spring, before I moved west, we met up with CANSI friends at Sunshine Village and they led us over Goat's Eye and out, on skinny tel skis and leather lace up boots, I had Vasque touring boots, Paget had Kastingers, I somehow remember this) before there was a ski lift (my son thinks this is cool or nuts or still doesn't really believe me). Paget ended up cracking a calcaneus on the ski out creek jumps, not good during Olympic prep. But it was an epic ski. The interesting thing and teachable moment about the climb up Goat's Eye was Paget and Ihor grip waxing skis. The racer boys were busy carefully applying layers and corking it out for glide and the mountain guide types were gooping it on and not corking: "we are in knee deep snow going uphill-where are you going to glide too? We interviewed for the same job: Manitoba ski coach. it was brutal being in the same elevator. I got the job, but he ended up with the Alberta coaching position, he might as well have had the Canadian team head position in my eyes. It was Ironic that at that time, our super mentor Jack should have been a good candidate for Paget's position. The few year's spent here were really neat: we had been together since lower school and now we were colleagues and seeing each other all over Canada, and frequently. We would actually have phone conversations between Winnipeg and Edmonton. I remember once when we spoke and he mentioned that he hurt his back lifting a ski box off his truck. He was really worried and it hurt a lot. It affected how he could coach. It made me quiet. He couldn't ski much after that. He was family, and when other coaches asked, how do you know this guy so well, I could reply that I grew up with him, his dad was my teacher and his mom did the race results and his sisters raced with us too. He was pretty close to being a brother, I have his old ski bags for God's sake. I too lost my Paget. As I think about all of the experiences we had together, it would be evident I did grow along with him and learn from him. There is much that I want to share with him. I cry for him not being here today. Ihor Barwinsky - Posted by: Ihor Barwinsky (everything) on: Feb 07, 2020

• I went to school with Paget, grades 5,6,7. He was a good friend. Eat well in Valhalla my friend, condolences to the family. - Posted by: Jeff Gibson (Friend) on: Aug 23, 2018

• Paget was a fierce competitior when I knew him when he was on the National Biathlon team in 1986. I always saw him as better than me. He was faster, more dedicated/single minded and competitive. I remember he drove a sweet 4 X 4 toyota truck. I had an old beater car. I remember him shot gunning a beer. I love my beer but have yet to shot gun it (put a pin hole in the can and then suck it out as fast as you can). I always saw him as better than me. I wish I could have been a closer friend. And it's funny how I was just thinking of him. I was wondering how he was doing. Now he's gone. I wish he was around so I could tell him that I admired him. I guess I just did. Rest in Peace Paget. - Posted by: Jerry Ingham (Canadian National Biathlon Development Team in 1985/86) on: Jan 05, 2016

• My thoughts are with Paget's family at this time but I have reflected back with very fond memories that will live on in my mind. I remember Paget going through the hockey/ski dilemma. He chose and stuck to his choice and it was not an easy path. I am very heartened by all of his accomplishments and 'firsts' for Canada as well as for his mentoring of younger athletes. Paget was always sincere, enthusiastic and full of life. - Posted by: Muir Meredith (Former Teacher) on: Nov 08, 2015

• Aloha, My deepest sympaties and condolances to his famniky. His father was my teacher and he Paget was a good friend at Ravenscourt. Take care and god bless. - Posted by: Bill Gillesopie (Friend) on: Oct 28, 2015

• I have fond memories of Paget as.young fellow at SJR in my grade 5 home room. He was also a very good hockey player as a young guy as well as a gifted skier. He was always keen and eager to give his best. He was easy to talk with and always considerate of his peers. Although it has been years since I have seen him, I would think of him from time to time and ask Bob about him. My deepest condolences to Bob, Judy, Leya and the whole family - Posted by: Rod (Ruth) Lindquist (Former teacher and coach at SJR) on: Oct 27, 2015

• My deepest condolences to my former teaching colleague Bob Stewart and his wife and family - regarding the untimely tragic passing of their generous, exceptional & remarkable son! One can truly see that for Paget John Stewart - his love of athleticism and the great outdoors were highly poetic, spiritual, philosophic and deeply inspirational. Like the Romantic Nature poet William Wordsworth I know that Paget would have viewed Nature as a great & astonishing center of infinite learning. Depression is a multi-faceted disease which relentlessly attacks mind, body and soul. (My own escape from the dark disease were to be found in multi-faceted disciplined exercise and writing, free of unnecessary troublesome complicating medications - while showing others the way to a state of normal. harmony.) Again my deepest, heartfelt condolences! - Posted by: Brian MacKinnon (Former colleague to Bob Stewart) on: Oct 27, 2015

• My deepest condolences to Paget's family and friends. Although I knew him only peripherally through SJR, I was taught by his father when I attended SJR and I knew how proud he was of his son's accomplishments. Depression is a terrible travail and we all need to look out for our fellow men and women, sons, daughters friends etc. to assist those suffering from depression in any way we can, to give them hope, that they may overcome their situation. Again .. my deepest sympathies... - Posted by: David Melnyk (Student at St. John's Ravenscourt 1970-77) on: Oct 26, 2015

• I met Paget as a fellow student at SJR and am happy to have been a part of his circle of friends. It is with great sadness that I learned of his passing. He was someone gentle, quick to laugh and to make others feel comfortable. Sadly, we lost touch when I moved away to University. Paget will be remembered fondly and my heart goes out to his family for their loss. - Posted by: Nicola James (Highschool friend) on: Oct 22, 2015

• My relationship with Paget began when I met him in Hinton in 1992. I was not a skier and didn't know anything about his athletic accomplishments. He was just 'Paget', a fellow human being trying to make sense of his past and what he wanted from his future. Trying to find peace and happiness, like all of us. I had no idea in 1992 that I'd be part of his life off and on for the next 14 years until I left Hinton late in 2006. I will remember how he enjoyed sunrises and sunsets, loved a good campfire, got excited over a 6 point elk, watching the northern lights in the Brule pasture and how committed he could be to his friendships. I can't count how many times he helped someone tow a car out of a ditch, change a tire, babysit, haul out meat from a hunt or was excited to entertain. When we lived together, I saw first hand the toll that depression took on his life. It was hard to watch him feel so alone through it all, despite the best intentions of friends or family. Depression affected his mood, physical health, energy levels, confidence and his relationships. Many of us did not always understand his thought processes or life choices, but I know in my heart that at any given moment of any day, he was doing his best. I wish him peace, and that he felt or knew in his heart how many lives he had influenced in a positive way and how much he was loved. Although some were difficult, I would never trade away the years I spent with him as it shaped the person I am today and I hope others feel the same way. - Posted by: Ellen Brezina () on: Oct 18, 2015

• Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter silvered wings Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun split clouds, and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of, wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through the footless halls of air Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark or even eagles flew And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space Put out my hand and touched the face of God...! With love and thanks for the memories..... - Posted by: David Currie (Godfather) on: Oct 17, 2015

• Although we did not know Paget personally, we watched his skiing career build from Windsor Park Red River Nordic races to Olympic trials. We have heard about his life and successes for many years through his dad, Bob Stewart. We are saddened by a life cut short and send our condolences to the Stewart family. Linda and George Clark - Posted by: LInda and George Clark (Nordic Walkers, Cyclists and formerly X Country Skiers with Bob) on: Oct 17, 2015