Those who know Steve's struggles know that 2025 has been one of his most challenging years. He would say his worse year, but I, his sister Lara, remind him that challenges can be gifts for learning and growing. We all at times face opportunities to overcome our own difficulties and strive for finding the strength to see ourselves in a better future.

I know many of you know my big brother, Steve, for the things I know of him. His affection towards others, his humour, his gratitude, his gift for story telling, his passion for food, his love of RUSH and great music of all genres, his shy but deep loving heart, and the love and pride he carries for his three adult sons, Travis, Kellen and Kade and his four beautiful grandchildren.

13 years ago, on October 21, 2012, on his eldest son's 20th birthday, Steve suffered his first heart attack. A week ago, on Tuesday October 21, 2025, he suffered a second heart attack and underwent double bypass surgery.

Sadly, Steve was left with a host of complications, including multiple seizures, which left him unable to be removed from the sedation as expected or the ventilator. This has delayed them being able to wake him up safely and see him return to himself in the days after his surgery.

We know Steve is a fighter, but he is not going to be able to do it alone. While the cardiovascular ICU and neurology teams search for answers and the source and cause of the seizures, Steve is left in limbo fighting off two infections, including pneumonia, while he is medicated for comfort.

When Steve wakes up, he will face numerous stages of recovery and will need extensive time to heal. Even with a positive outcome, and we are praying for nothing less, he may not be capable of returning to work and may need months of rehabilitation, physiotherapy and figure out a new daily routine for living.

There has been a small number of family and friends who know what has happened and they have been holding out for news that he will turn a corner and show signs of him coming back to us. However, it is time to spread the word and reach out to all those who have known him and cared about him over his 57 years and rally together and show him we know he can wake up healthy and functioning.

Steve has been a long time Burlington resident and is proud to still live and work in the neighbourhood we grew up in. We are asking for your prayers, your love, your thoughts, and support and to share your biggest healing energy for his healthy recovery.

He needs it now more than ever.

For the days ahead, finding wellness for himself will be more important than anything he has known so far.

Steve, my kind and loving brother, please remember you too deserve every chance to get well, and every opportunity to find peace and feel joy amongst your loved ones for the rest of your life.

Steve’s family are asking for any amount of help you can give that will allow him the time he’ll need to recover, providing him with assistance without the burden of worry, the torture he’ll feel unable to work and support himself and to manage his day-to-day expenses and medical needs.

Thank you all so much for loving Steve over the years. Whether it has been on a Facebook message, a visit to the Slye Fox for one of his amazing meals or a phone call to remind him he is loved and matters. He appreciates all of you, and your friendships! Please give a listen to the link below

https://youtu.be/dMSFqXGZ5TQ