In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

STEEL, Robert James (Jim) - We are saddened to announce the sudden passing of Robert James (Jim) Steel on Saturday, February 4th at the age of 78. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Maria and his parents Ted and Myrtle. He will be missed by his daughters Catharine (Jim), Carolyn (Tim), his grandchildren Robert (Melissa), Callum (Sarah), Jessica (Matthew) and his great-granddaughter Hailey. Also missing him is his companion Diane Christy, his nieces and nephews, and many cousins, especially Ginny Cobley, who was more like a sister. And last but not least his beloved bulldog Joe Friday.

Jim wasn't one to sit still behind a school desk. He left school at a young age to join the Canadian Navy and sailed on HMCS CAP DE LA MADELEINE during the cold war. After leaving the navy he was employed by McKinnon Industies (which became General Motors in 1969). He had an unerring sense of what was right and just and became active in the labour movement fighting for better working conditions and fair wages.

Wanting to know more about his paternal grandfather and his roll in the Great War led Jim to became one of Canada's leading experts on the First World War and Canada's role in it. He researched and co-authored four books on the War and was Joseph Boyden's primary consultant in the writing of Three Day Road.
Jim loved life. He was intelligent, and creative. He played the guitar, and painted delightful, irreverent, colourful paintings. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He was one of those rare individuals who knew how to truly listen. He loved his bulldogs, or any dog for that matter. He lived large, loved to laugh, and he had one of the biggest hearts of anyone we knew. Everyone he met, he met with kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Canada Legion, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Community Care or another Charity of Your Choice.

A celebration of life will be held at Royal Canadian Legion, 15 George St. St. Catharines, on Tuesday, February 21st 3-6.

"We are stardust." (The St. Catharines Standard 07 Feb 2023)

Ships served in:

HMCS CAP DE LA MADELEINE - Served in CAP DE LA MADELEINE 1961-1963 as a Weaponman Underwater