HEAL, Stephen Bruce
1948-2007
Born October 10, 1948 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Steve died suddenly early March 9, 2007 at his home in Qualicum Beach.
Steve is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Sandra, his son Andrew, daughter Jennifer, son-in-law Glen, and two grandchildren, Ana and Callum. Steve is also survived by sisters Alexandra and Jane (Peter), brothers Ted, Tom and Philips (Sasha), as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and great friends.
Steve taught in the Shuswap School District for 35 years before retiring in June 2005. For more than 25 of those years, Steve was a well-loved drama and musical theatre teacher. Steve staged at least four productions each year, several of which he wrote himself. He inspired many students to go on to study theatre in college.
Steve was a founding member of the Shuswap Theatre Society, where he was involved in over 50 productions. He won several Theatre BC awards, including two Okanagan Zone awards for Best Actor and two for Best Director. Steve was also involved in several professional theatre productions.
Steve and Sandy recently moved to Qualicum Beach where Steve was already a busy member of the Echo Players theatre group.
Steve was a talented musician and visual artist. He loved spending time in his woodwork shop where he built beautiful furniture. Aside from family, theatre, woodwork, golf, and travel, Steve loved playing hockey, reading, flyfishing, photography, and hiking around picking wild berries to make jams and jellies (yes, really). He also enjoyed drawing ballpoint pen tattoos on his grandchildren’s bellies (yes, really).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Steve Heal Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be awarded to students demonstrating dedication to and promise in the dramatic arts. Please send cheques in care of Salmon Arm Senior Secondary School, Box 1000, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4P2.
A service will be held at Yates Funeral Chapel n Parksville at 1pm, Friday, March 16.
We will miss your jokes and ever-evolving stories, Steve.