|
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
STEEVES, Robert Donald - At his Halifax home on December 9th, 2021, while with his family, our beloved stoker Robert Donald "Don" Steeves, was called by the Lord to his last port.
Don joins the love of his life Gudny "Myrna" (Hoosha) in heaven who predeceased him in April 2016. Married for 56 years, the couple raised two wonderful children together – Debbie Eddy (Dan), and Bob Steeves. Don was a cherished Grandpa to Cassandra Bohan (Brad), Brad Eddy, Ryan Steeves, and Alexis Steeves.
Don was predeceased by his parents Russell A Steeves and Margaret Steeves (Paul), his older brother John "Jack", and older sister Verna. He is survived by his older sister Muriel "Babe", as well as many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews, all of whom he adored.
Don was a Veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy. He commissioned the HMCS BONAVENTURE from Belfast, and subsequently during his 25-year career, sailed on the HMCS FRASER, HMCS ANNAPOLIS, HMCS KOOTENAY, HMCS SAGUENAY, HMCS SKEENA, and HMCS QU'APPELLE. Apart from his time at sea, he was stationed in Kitchener, ON for 3 years, recruiting for the Royal Canadian Navy, and served as an instructor at the Canadian Forces Base Engineering Division. Don retired from service as a Petty Officer First Class in 1985. He was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160.
After his time at sea, Don settled in Halifax under the employ of Queen's Harbour Master and continued to serve the harbour as an Engineering Technical Officer for 11 years before his retirement in 1996.
Once retired, Don enjoyed his unlimited quality time with beloved wife Myrna, and spending his days with his children and grandchildren. He volunteered with the RCMP of Lake Echo for Community on Patrol, and came out of retirement to work at Adventure Sports and George's Trains in Dartmouth. Don was a collector of model trains and was quite fond of building and painting models for his to-scale city layout. Even in his later years, with unsteady hands, he proudly and meticulously painted and assembled a model of HMCS Snowberry. He proudly volunteered with On-Track Driving Experience, his daughter and son-in-law's company, for several years as an adventure and safety specialist, enhancing customer experience with his million dollar smile and quick wit. He later went on to work for a few years with Ambassatours in Halifax, showing tourists the city he loved as tour guide on a double decker bus. In the warm summer months, Don and Myrna loved to travel across Canada to visit with their many loved ones in the West. Whether they travelled by train, automobile or motor-home, the cross-country journey was a highlight of their year. They enjoyed stopping to visit family and lifelong friends in New Brunswick, Ottawa, Pembroke, Kenora, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and British Columbia. Their visit were highly anticipated by friends and family year after year and Don maintained his visits even after Myrna passed away.
In
accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. His remains will be
placed alongside the love of his life in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens.
His family would like to thank every member of his care team for their support during his final days. Palliative care staff, VON Nurses, Veterans Affairs and Home Instead in-home care worked alongside his loving family maintaining his comfort during his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Ships served in: HMCS BONAVENTURE - Commissioning crew
|
