GIDDINGS, Stephen
Posted: May 1st, 2017
Stephen George Giddings
April 29, 1954 – March 6, 2017
While living his dreams of retirement on Vancouver Island, it is announced with great sadness that Steve Giddings, loving Father of Liam Guenther of Lethbridge, passed on peacefully in his home in Bowser, BC on March 6, 2017 at the age of 62 yrs.
Steve was born the eldest of 3 children to George and Jean Giddings in Glynneath, Neath, Wales, where he grew up happily and eventually completed his apprenticeship as a welder. Though ever the Welshman, in 1976 Steve followed his heart and adventurous spirit as he emigrated to Alberta, Canada. After eventually receiving his teaching degree in Edmonton, Steve lived and worked as a high school and college teacher, a welder and small business owner in various towns and cities from 1 end of Alberta to the other, though he primarily resided in Fort McMurray, Lethbridge and even back to Wales for few years.
Steve was passionate about teaching, he also developed high school welding curriculum and he was proud that there were many students who were inspired to follow a career into the trade. Steve’s no nonsense yet knowledgeable and conditionally friendly approach in the classroom earned him the respect of his students.
Just prior to his sudden passing, Steve told a friend that he felt as though he had lived 3 lifetimes and anyone who knew Steve would certainly agree that he was a man full of wonder and a love for life. One of Steve’s great passions in life was music and he played drums in many bands throughout the years. Steve also loved fly fishing, his BMW, Judge Judy, travel, artistic welding, his many friends and close family and most important to Steve was his son Liam, who was born in Sylvan Lake in 1998. Steve was never too busy to take Liam camping and fishing, to soccer tournaments or to share stories and his unique perspectives of life and politics with his son.
Steve will be forever missed by his many close friends and family; adoring Mum Jean (Mac Rae), sister Mandy Davies (George Lawrance) , brother Nigel Giddings (Claire Davies) and extended family in the UK as well as his loving son Liam and his family in Lethbridge. Steve was predeceased by his Dad George in Wales in 1994. A service honoring Steve’s life was previously held in Courtenay, BC on March 16, 2017 and in Glynneath, Wales on April 6, 2017.
People are invited to please remember Steve and share their memories and pictures of him online at www.piercysmtwashingtonfuneral.com
Oh, dear, where to begin… my heart is full of condolences for you Mum Jean, , little sister Mandy, and younger brother Nigel, .. there may have been an ocean of water between you and Steve but you were always so close to him in his heart. I am in total and utter disbelief and shock ! There are so many good memories that flood into my mind, and all are filled with music and laughter and Steves smile… and that underlying voice of Mum saying to me from 1980 when Jean said You and Evan will be like his little Canadian Family. I would be fool to think that Steve didn’t adopt many people into his heart as family here in Canada. We lost track of each other the last couple of years even though we said we would keep in touch. But Steve had so many fish to catch and so much time to make up with Liam. He loved his boy so much, and how could you not blame him. Liam is a special young man. So full of talent, an old soul with the gifts of both his Mom and Dad and so willing to learn. And Steve was always so willing to teach. Many students will be better people for having crossed paths with him. He and our oldest son share a birthday, we will never forget Steve… and we have so much to remember him by.
Rest in good peace Steve… I will be waiting for some good drumming.. come thunder times. And I will expect to see some signs from you.
Our condolences to you as well Liam. Your Dad is a good man in so many ways.
Maureen McNeely
I can’t believe Steve was living in Bowser. I was friends with Steve for many years in Edmonton as well as his neighbour. I live in Courtenay. He wasn’t much of a facebook guy as I had tried friending him a few years ago. I will look for some photos of him and I to post.