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William Stefanuk
April 7, 1925 - March 29, 2021
Tribute
On Monday, March 29, 2021, William “Bill” Stefanuk passed away at home in Cranbrook with his son, Bronte by his side. Bill was only nine days short of his 96th birthday. Bill was born in a converted box car on April 7, 1925 in Yahk, BC.
During the Second World War, Bill served in the Royal Canadian Navy helping protect convoys to Great Britain. He would often recall the surrender of the German submarine U-889 to his ship, the HMCS Oshawa at the end of the war. He mentioned how the German sailors “were just young boys, like us”.
The kindness and lightness in his personality would be recognizable to all who knew him.
During his career as a realtor, he was particularly determined to help the working poor folk to qualify to buy their own homes. He was also very committed to standing by his mother and his wife in their later years.
Bill was a very social guy – it was not uncommon for him to break out into a brief song or even a dance for a bank teller, cashier or the like.
Sometimes Bill was upset with himself that he’d quit the Legion briefly. He and the Legion disagreed about the adoption of the new flag. Bill was all for the new flag because he felt Canada had earned its stripes. It was no longer a colony and was a country second to none. His Branch in Calgary felt different at the time. Times have changed and our local Legion is as proud of our flag as any other and surely respects his WW2 service regardless of a 75 year pin or not.
Bill was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Evelyn.. He is survived by his sons Bronte and Jason (Debbie), grandsons Kenton and Braden, great granddaughter Leila, his sister Anne (Ron) Bush, sister-in-law Dora Clarke and dozens of nieces and nephews.
Due to the times a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Condolences
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From: Mark Memorial Funeral Services
Mark Memorial Funeral Services Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Laurie Jacob
Relation: Friend
Bill was a part of our family gatherings many times in the last several years. He was kind, fun, and witty in his sense of humor. He enjoyed being part of a multi generational gathering for which the vibrancy of small children filled the room. He made many of us laugh and will be missed by all of our family. It is sad that isolation and Covid 19 defined how he spent his last year however lived his long and vibrant life to the fullest up until then.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
Floral Tributes may be ordered at:
MJ’s Floral Boutique
24 10th Avenue South
Cranbrook BC V1C 2M8
250.526.5689
When ordering please have the name of the deceased, the date of the funeral service and the Funeral Home information.
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