Obituary of Stephen Naylor

B I O G R A P H Y NAYLOR: Stephen William Naylor passed away in the Lloydminster Hospital on Monday, August 21, 2006 at the age of 59 years. Stephen is survived by: two sisters: Ruby and her husband Ben Sproull of Marshall, Doreen and her husband Archie Graff of Lloydminster; two brothers: John Naylor and his wife Bev of Mervin, Lionel Naylor of Wilkie, and George & Mary MacEwen’s family as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Stephen was predeceased by: his father John Lionel Naylor, his sister Mary Joy MacEwen, his mother M. Joy Naylor, his sister-in-law Madeline Naylor and his brother-in-law George MacEwen. The funeral service for Stephen was conducted from the McCaw Funeral Chapel on Friday, August 25, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Elwood McLean officiating. A eulogy was given by Rita Baxter. Hymns sung were “God will Take Care of You,” and “Onward Christian Soldiers,” accompanied on the organ by Marj Kilback. Honorary Guests in attendance were friends from Bea Fisher and L.A.B.I.S.. Active Pallbearers were Richard Graff, Jody Graff, Darren Graff, Bruce Naylor, Russell Isaac and Alvin Smith. Interment followed in the Albion Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy I consider it a real honour to be asked to perform the eulogy for Stephen. I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t have second thoughts about doing it especially after sitting down in front of a blank computer screen for what seemed like hours on end. How could I sum up (in a few short words) the life of someone that has so obviously touched the lives of everyone he came across? For possibly the 1st time in my life - I was speechless - NO, REALLY. I had my work cut out for me. So with a memory that is being put to the test (the biggest test of my life I might add) this is my memories of my Uncle Stephen. When I think of Stephen I think about the love and dedication he had for God, his family, his friends, his co-workers and for life itself. When given the opportunity Stephen was able to take what is considered a disability and turn it into ability - and if given the chance he would put his best foot forward and give it all he had - and usually laughing with genuine excitement. He loved his family with all his heart and would drop everything just to spend a few minutes with them. He kept in contact with them on a regular basis even if it was just on the phone. I think that everyone here has heard the words “Hello, how are you, and well I had better go now” - and then hear a dial tone. Sometimes the calls were just that short, but when he felt like visiting - Look out! The saying “Reach out and Touch Someone” were not just words to him. Oh, and by the way, I think I would like to add that he was a very very very early riser. He used to love to watch hockey games on T.V. and would challenge anyone he could to a tabletop hockey game. In his mind, he was a pro tabletop hockey player. Through concentration, and of course bouts of laughter Stephen could send that little puck onto the floor faster and harder than anyone I know - it was his game, and win, loose or draw, Stephen loved it. He loved to play games of all sorts, and both Russell and Alvin (who have been great friends since childhood) can attest to the fact that he put more determination into any and all games - “that they could come up with” - than anyone they knew - and especially when it came to playing ball. Stephen was a great traveller and loved to go wherever and whenever he could whether it was camping, fishing, visiting, or in and out of ditches (which he was sworn to secrecy about - and I might add - never did tell). One of Stephen’s most memorable destinations had to be when Rodney drove him to the airport and took him for a plane ride - I never did hear whether Rodney let him actually fly the plane or not - Who knows, maybe he was sworn to secrecy one more time. Stephen’s “safe” place was - well - wherever he was, and with whoever he was with - just ask his nephews Rodney and Raymond - did he really want to know how fast the “hot rods” would go? Everyone eventually grows up, leaves the nest - so to speak - well, things were the same for Stephen. After moving to Lloydminster, Stephen faced the hustle and bustle of the “work-a-day” world. He left the nest (so to speak) and entered the work-a-day world at the Bea Fisher Centre. Here he met “Life Long” co-workers and “life long” friends. Stephen took very few “sick days” and took his position and responsibilities to heart but also had a lot of fun doing it - come on now, this is Stephen I am talking about! Would you expect anything else? LABIS opened up a new world for him - a world filled with similarities, fun and great friends and let me tell you - sick or not Stephen was waiting at the door ready to go. He made over 14 years of friendships with the staff and residents of Jubilee Home. This was his home away from home and he loved it. He told me that the food was great, his room was wonderful, the residents were friendly, the activities were fun, and the nurses were good looking. In all honesty I may have teased him into saying the last bit. You know Stephen he loved to tease, and laugh, and laugh, and did I mention laugh? I personally believe that his greatest mode of independence came in the form of an electric wheel chair. This opened up doors for him that you and I take for granted. He was finally able to get from point “A” to point “B” on his own, and like everyone with a new found independence, he found out that point “A” (the safe house) was sometimes nothing like point “B” (where he thought he wanted to go). For instance before leaving (Point “A”) to go to the corner store (Point “B”), to buy something, he should have remembered money from point “A”or, going down a ramp at point “A” does not leave the same hurt, scrapes and scars as going over a curb at point “B”. Through all of his “so called oopses” Stephen loved his independence. It gave him the opportunity to meet his neighbors, make new friends and give his parents more grey hair (You know something, I can definitely relate). Stephen loved life, he rolled with every punch, laughed at every mistake, and loved more deeply and more honestly than anyone could ever imagine. His laughter was contagious, his smile sincere and his ability to accept what cannot be changed far surpasses anyone I have every met. God gave each and everyone of us a gift. His name was Stephen - he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a nephew, and a true friend - He was ------ Stephen. In closing, I would like to share with you a story - this takes place in what is remembered as the most beautiful yard in the whole world. A little girl is outside playing with her uncle. She is running around, laughing, crawling all over his lap, and jumping up and down - just being a little girl. When this little girl stopped playing she walked up to her uncle and asked a simple question. This question was “Uncle Steve, don’t you wish you could run, walk and play like I can?” His answer was one that the little girl would never forget. After possibly 5 or 10 seconds he looked that little girl in the eye and very matter of factly said “No, I don’t wish I could run, walk and play like you can, because if I could run, walk and play like you can, I would have the time for God that I do now.” I may have been young, and yes, that little girl was me. His answer was not the one I expected or even thought I wanted, but it was the one I needed. I think about the impact those words had, and have on me and truly believe that it was meant that I share them with you today. Think about it ---- “If I could, I wouldn’t have the time for God that I do now.” I will always remember my gift from God, my Uncle Stephen - my friend, I Love You! Card of Thanks The family of Stephen Naylor would like to thank the Jubilee Home Family for making Stephen’s stay there so comfortable, to the doctors and nurses on the 3rd Floor of the hospital for the care and attention he received there. Thank you to Reverend Elwood McLean, organist Marj Kilback and Rita Baxter for creating such a beautiful and memorable service. Thank you to the honorary guests - Bea Fisher and LABIS and the active pallbearers - Richard Graff, Jody Graff, Darren Graff, Bruce Naylor, Russell Isaac and Alvin Smith for their part in the service. Thank you to McCaw Funeral Service for their guidance and support. A big thank you to the ladies at the Knox Presbyterian Church for the wonderful lunch provided after the service. A special thank you to all those who made phone calls and donations, sent flowers, cards and food and for attending Stephen’s funeral. A Big Loving Thank You Stephen’s Family Donations in memory of Stephen may be made to the Jubilee Home Comfort Fund or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.