CRABTREE, Stephen D.
1949 - 2013
Steve's wonderful smile expressed the enthusiasm and energy he brought to everything in his life. Aka "our loyal rock", he was a truly loving father, husband, brother, brother-in-law, son-in- law & best friend. He was an accomplished singer, gardener (sweet peas!), bridge player, punster, cyclist, puzzler, cheesecake baker, sailor/ navigator, 60s-70s music master historian, stereo & electrical "Mr fixit", computer wizard, brilliant mathematician, tutor, stage/sound/prop man, photographer, traveller, Santa...the list goes on. A pioneer in computer science, he graduated with honours in 1971 and enjoyed working in computer & business information technology for over 40 years. He absolutely loved performing & touring with the Maple Leaf Singers and the Pacific Spirit Choir. When he sang his joy was written all over him. He shared his love of singing with his sons Alex and Marcus and his wife, Gillian. Recently all 3 sang in the same choir. For many years the boys sang in the BC Boys Choir and he and Gillian had the opportunity to accompany them as chaperones on one of their many European choir tours. Steve was a dedicated community volunteer for many charities & associations including: treasurer for the Maple Leaf Singers, on the executive for the Pacific Spirit Choir, driver for Operation Red Nose, campaigner for the Cancer Society, & Heart and Stroke Foundation. He did whatever he could to make our community a better place to live. He was felled by Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma June 22, 2013 at age 63 and is survived by his loving wife & best friend of 43 years, his 2 dear sons, sister Carol, mother-in-law, Patricia, brother-in-law, Barry & sister-in-law, Loryl, and many wonderful friends. He died peacefully at the North Shore Hospice, a warm and gentle place, surrounded by all of his family & his 2 furry pals. Heartfelt thanks to Drs. Sugar, Smiljanic, Seger and Hasinoff, Pat MacDonald and all the helping hands who were so generous with their kind support. Donations in Steve's name may be made to the North Shore Hospice, c/o Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. Celebration of Steve's life so well lived will be held on Sat., August 17th at 1 p.m. West Vancouver United Church.
Published in Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on July 6, 2013
Thanks Jan for posting. Steve and I remained close friends since school. His two boys and my five grew up together and have shared many good memories. Steve was my bridge and cycling partner. I will never forget cycling the Kettle Valley Railway together.
Although we didn't keep in contact after school, Steve will forever be cemented in my memory as we both took the McKinley Driving School classes together. When his first turn at the wheel was in the Park Royal parking lot (thought in error by our instructer to be a rather safe place) , I was was relegated to the back seat of the Studebaker Lark as an observer. Steve's learning experience had me practically peeing myself. We did escape unscathed but I got a stich in my side from laughing so hard. Thanks for the fun memories, Steve. RIP
Jan Davies
Stephen CRABTREE
| Visit Guest Book1949 - 2013
Steve's wonderful smile expressed the enthusiasm and energy he brought to everything in his life. Aka "our loyal rock", he was a truly loving father, husband, brother, brother-in-law, son-in- law & best friend. He was an accomplished singer, gardener (sweet peas!), bridge player, punster, cyclist, puzzler, cheesecake baker, sailor/ navigator, 60s-70s music master historian, stereo & electrical "Mr fixit", computer wizard, brilliant mathematician, tutor, stage/sound/prop man, photographer, traveller, Santa...the list goes on. A pioneer in computer science, he graduated with honours in 1971 and enjoyed working in computer & business information technology for over 40 years. He absolutely loved performing & touring with the Maple Leaf Singers and the Pacific Spirit Choir. When he sang his joy was written all over him. He shared his love of singing with his sons Alex and Marcus and his wife, Gillian. Recently all 3 sang in the same choir. For many years the boys sang in the BC Boys Choir and he and Gillian had the opportunity to accompany them as chaperones on one of their many European choir tours. Steve was a dedicated community volunteer for many charities & associations including: treasurer for the Maple Leaf Singers, on the executive for the Pacific Spirit Choir, driver for Operation Red Nose, campaigner for the Cancer Society, & Heart and Stroke Foundation. He did whatever he could to make our community a better place to live. He was felled by Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma June 22, 2013 at age 63 and is survived by his loving wife & best friend of 43 years, his 2 dear sons, sister Carol, mother-in-law, Patricia, brother-in-law, Barry & sister-in-law, Loryl, and many wonderful friends. He died peacefully at the North Shore Hospice, a warm and gentle place, surrounded by all of his family & his 2 furry pals. Heartfelt thanks to Drs. Sugar, Smiljanic, Seger and Hasinoff, Pat MacDonald and all the helping hands who were so generous with their kind support. Donations in Steve's name may be made to the North Shore Hospice, c/o Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. Celebration of Steve's life so well lived will be held on Sat., August 17th at 1 p.m. West Vancouver United Church.
Peter Jones
Thanks Jan for posting. Steve and I remained close friends since school. His two boys and my five grew up together and have shared many good memories. Steve was my bridge and cycling partner. I will never forget cycling the Kettle Valley Railway together.
Bill Ozzard
Although we didn't keep in contact after school, Steve will forever be cemented in my memory as we both took the McKinley Driving School classes together. When his first turn at the wheel was in the Park Royal parking lot (thought in error by our instructer to be a rather safe place) , I was was relegated to the back seat of the Studebaker Lark as an observer. Steve's learning experience had me practically peeing myself. We did escape unscathed but I got a stich in my side from laughing so hard. Thanks for the fun memories, Steve. RIP
Cheers, Bill Ozzard