September 3, 1931 - April 26, 2020
With sadness we share the passing of Steve Matwychuk on April 26, 2020 in a Calgary Hospital after a short illness at the age of 88 years. Steve was born on September 3, 1931 in Spedden, Alberta.
Steve began a career with the Canadian National Railway as a telegraph operator in 1952. He married Adina Komarniski in 1955 and raised three girls. They moved to Kelowna from Edmonton in 1964 to pursue a new CNR posting. Retiring from the CNR in 1981, Steve took a custodial position with the Kelowna School District until fully retiring in 1991. Divorcing in 1999, Steve remarried in 2002 and he and his wife Mary continued their lives in Kelowna. In 2018 due to failing health, they moved to an assisted living residence in Okotoks, Alberta.
Steve had many passions and skills including building two family homes. He was a master craftsman at woodwork and a perfectionist with any project he took on. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, boating on Okanagan Lake and camping with the motorhome. He loved Kelowna, the orchards, beach, and recreational opportunities there. He was always active in photography, square dancing, snow and water skiing, hockey, roller blading, and cycling and road trips with his family.
Steve is survived by his wife Mary of 18 years and her family, Terri Roman (Dana), and sons, Nick and Jeff. He is also survived by his former wife of 44 years, Adina (Matwychuk now Schmidt) and their daughters, Terry Pitts, Raylene (Raymond) Hale, Laurie (Harvey) Penner; eight grandchildren, Tamara and Derek Pitts, Todd (Janelle) Hale, Troy and Neysa Hale, Brittany and Jordan Moss, Julia Penner and three great grandchildren, Maja, Micah, and Levi Hale: sisters Sophie Yacycshyn, Lianne O'Donnell, brother John Matwychuk and twelve nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Joseph and Sophia Matwychuk and brothers Bill and Russell Matwychuk.
A date for Celebrations of Life will be posted later this summer, to take place in Kelowna when it is safer to gather. Your condolences and memories are greatly appreciated at this time and may be shared at:
https://www.simplycremations.ca/obituary/Steve-Matwychuk