It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Steven Earl Tester on April 16, 2020 at the age of 57 years after a courageous battle with brain cancer.  Steven was born in Calgary and grew up on an acreage just east of the city.  He attended the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), graduating with an Industrial Instrumentation Technology Certificate.  While at SAIT, Steven met Jeanie, his loving wife of 30 years.  They have two bright and beautiful girls, Sarah and Hannah that Steven loved dearly.

Steven had a long and successful career with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in the Measurement Canada division, ending his career as Senior Program Officer in Ottawa.  He was exceptionally ambitious and hardworking. He had a great respect for his colleagues which evolved into lifelong friendships.

While working full time, Steven also established a grain farm in the Nanton area that he and his family enjoyed for many years.  After a long day in the field, Steven loved to sit around the giant fire pit he had built and have a few beers with family and friends.

Steven also loved to sing and listen to music.  His tastes were varied – it was not unusual to find him listening to Herb Alpert, Johnny Cash, Harry Styles or to Green Day.  He taught himself to play the guitar, spending countless hours singing, writing and producing music.  He loved nothing better than to play music with his two girls and Jeanie.

Steven had a keen mind and was always taking things apart and rebuilding them.  Whether it was a stereo or a tractor, Steven would take things completely apart and reassemble them to an even better working condition.  He loved to design and built many electronic gadgets.  As soon as one project was complete, Steven had another one on the go!

Steven is survived by his loving wife Jeanie; his daughters Sarah and Hannah; his mother Marilyn; his sisters Carolyn (Darrel), Leslyn, and Kathleen; his brother Michael; and a large extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins, in laws, nieces and nephews.   He was predeceased by his father Gordon in 2005, and his sister Jacqueline  in 1999.

Steven was a kind and caring soul, always presenting an optimistic and positive attitude, ready to help anyone in any way he could.  Family was most important to Steven.  His life revolved around the activities of his girls. Whether it was playing guitar in Sarah's violin recitals or organizing swim meets for Sarah and Hannah's swim club, he was always committed to be involved 100 percent!

We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the Southwood Hospice and the Tom Baker Cancer Centre for the countless hours of medical care, kindness, compassion and understanding that Steven received.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful family and friends who were alongside Steven throughout his journey. Steven was able to stay strong with everyone's unwavering support.

Given the current situation a private cremation will be held.  There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.

If friends so desire, donations may be made to Tom Baker Cancer Centre www.albertacancer.ca

Alberta Cancer Foundation (Tom Baker Cancer Clinic)
1331 29 Street NW, Calgary AB T2N 4N2
Tel: 1-403-521-3433
Web: http://albertacancer.ca/in-memory