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 and grew up on his Ukrainian family farm in Spedden, Alberta, north east of Edmonton. Leaving home for Edmonton, he began a career with the Canadian National Railway as a telegraph operator in 1952.  His proficiency at morse code was a skill that remained with him throughout his life and that he shared proudly.

Steve married in 1955 and he and his first wife Adina raised three girls in Edmonton, first in a CNR station house, then a home he built in 1961 in south Edmonton (Ottwell).  In 1964, he moved the family to Kelowna, BC being awarded a Telegraph Operator's post with the CNR. They lived in a small home near Knox Mountain and then 1971 to a beautiful house he built along Mission Creek. He retired in 1981 when the CNR post was no longer available and took a custodial position with the Rutland/Kelowna School District until he fully retired 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 to be close to her family.

Steve had many passions and skills that included building the two homes for his family.  He was a master craftsman at woodwork and a perfectionist with any project he took on. All who remember Steve, know 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 skiing, water skiing, hockey, rollerblading, and cycling and road trips with his family. Steve has left a lifetime of precious memories in many ways because of his extensive interests that included photographs and movies with his 8mm movie camera.

Steve is survived by Mary, his wife 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, and Laurie (Harvey) Penner; eight grandchildren, Tamara and Derek Pitts, Todd (Janelle) Hale, Troy and Neysa Hale, Brittany and Jordan Moss, Julia Penner; three great grandchildren, Maja, Micah, and Levi Hale; his sisters Sophie Yacycshyn and Lianne O'Donnell; his brother John Matwychuk; twelve nieces and nephews; and many friends. He is predeceased by his parents Joseph and Sophia Matwychuk and brothers Bill and Russell Matwychuk.

Celebrations of Life will be held later this summer in both Kelowna and Edmonton when it is safer to gather.  Your condolences and memories are greatly appreciated at this time.