Obituary of Stephen John Penney

Penney, Stephen John June 8, 1931 – July 20, 2015 It is with sad hearts we share the July 20, 2015 passing of Stephen John Penney, loving husband, father and grandfather. Steve is forever remembered with love by his wife Christine Page, son Greg, daughter Page and grandchildren Myles, Claire & Simone Penney, and Linden & Nolan Stuart. He will be sadly missed by his brother Michael, sisters Alice, Joan & Margaret and extended family. Steve was predeceased by his parents Emily and William Penney, and his brothers Charles and James. As the third of seven children growing up in the steel and mining town of Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia during the 1930’s, his character was built on the understanding that ingenuity and creativity formed the foundation of success. He remembered that even before he started school, he found himself sitting on his back step looking at pebbles on the driveway, framing and enumerating “I have to go to school, I have to get a job, I have to get married, I have to have a family. I have to get started now.” He envisioned his future, and those images remained with him for a lifetime. After a brief employment experience at the Sydney Steel Plant, he joined the RCAF. Following basic training as an Air Frame Technician in Uplands, he exchanged his Quebec posting with a heartbroken Quebecois who would otherwise be enroute to Edmonton. Steve’s compassion for people was core to his personality. Some of the experiences he considered highlights of his RCAF years were his preparation to be a member of the honour guard for then Princess Elizabeth’s 1951 tour of Canada, the achievement of National Expert Marksman, and a timely temporary winter posting to Florida, sharing hangar space with US Air Force compatriots. Even in recent times when his memory was challenged, some of his best-told stories took place in airplane hangars. Those years formed an indelible stamp on his character, and he held incredible pride in his part in Canadian military history. After Steve left the air force, he explored opportunities in real estate and insurance. Soon his deep understanding of people and natural ability as a problem solver drew him to a career in social work with the Edmonton Crisis Unit and then as a Provincial Liaison Officer with Social Services and the Alberta Juvenile Court system, where he spent the remainder of his working career. Retirement simply meant expanding the farm, and getting to know every animal on “God’s green earth”. He was fanatical in his protection of ‘his people’, which included cattle, horses, pigs, geese, ducks, chickens, dogs, cats, and extended to deer, the bull moose, and a variety of mammal, avian and aquatic forms of wildlife…and of course the domesticated guard turkeys, who as he would say announced anyone and anything that came into the yard. Steve was a rabid reader, fascinated with anything in print: science fiction, relativity, black holes, philosophy, poetry, animals and plants. His love of cars and motorcycles meant endless adventures on Alberta roads. He had a penchant for story-telling, and imparted his philosophies to anyone with whom he engaged. He believed reality could be changed with a focused, well-intentioned thought. He had humility. He never feared failure. He was loyal and fiercely protective of all he loved. He was generous in giving advice and forgiving the advice of others. And he could communicate infinite thoughts with a single, raised eyebrow. With his skills, he could tame troublemakers, bridge breeches, or mend mechanical mysteries. With his speed and panache, somehow any problem seemed to collapse into some kind of colossal hoax, like a mirage he could remove with sleight of hand…and then his infectious laugh would be followed by the relieved laughter of those around him. If you ask what his greatest accomplishment was, he would tell you how, close to six decades ago, he found his bride, wove a web, and captured her in a mere two days. Steve and Christine built a forever path where barriers didn’t exist, sharing a life founded on unwavering principles and ethics. With their common love of all things, together they found beauty in anything and everything. We will be forever grateful for the brilliant work of surgeons Dr. David Williams, Dr. Kenneth Stewart and Dr. Robert Turnbull, who collectively gave us the priceless gift of close to twelve extra years, and allowed Steve the chance to know all his grandchildren. It was a privilege to have our family held in your expertise and care. More recently, our deep and sincere thanks to the Kipnes Centre for Veterans, to Dr. Kerry Pawluski and the caring and dedicated staff. And finally, our heartfelt thanks to the paramedics and emergency department professionals at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for their compassion. At Steve's request, cremation has taken place and a private family ceremony held at Kitscoty, Alberta Cemetery, where the majestic sound of bagpipes will forever echo from there to the raw eastern coast of “Buddy’s” Cape Breton. We will be honoured to have you join us for a celebration of Steve's life on Thursday August 6, at the Norwood Royal Canadian Legion 11150-82 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta anytime between 2 and 5 p.m. Memorial donations may be sent to Kitscoty Community Church, Box 159, Kitscoty, Alberta T0B 2P0; Valour Place Society (www.valourplace.ca) c/o 11109-111 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5G 0C6, or to the charity of your choice. Words are insufficient to share the privilege of having this man indelibly etched in our lives. As Steve would say to those he loved... "Thanks for being with me." And from us, “Thanks for being you”. You are forever in our hearts.