Stephen Philip “Steve” Brooks
December 16th, 2020
Our beloved Husband, Father, Grandpa (Papa), Brother, Uncle and Friend Stephen went home to be with the Lord on December 16th, 2020.
Stephen was born in Peterborough, Ontario November 2nd, 1955 to Philip and Dorothy Brooks (both deceased). His childhood years were spent fishing, working on his grandparent’s farm, playing hockey on frozen ponds, and running amok with his three bothers and sister. As a teenager he moved with his family to the Lower Mainland, BC. Steve moved to Edmonton in 1974, there he had a son, Jeremy in 1976, he was a single father until December 1981 when he met the love of his life, Luana. They were married June 5th, 1982 and instantly became a family of three, by 1986 they had become family of five. He was an amazing father; always making sure he was at the kids’ many sporting & school events. Stephen loved going on camping trips and other adventures with the family and friends. It was during these trips where his fondest memories were sitting around the campfire sharing stories and staring at the stars.
Stephen will be remembered for his strong faith, love of family and friends, and a passion for fishing, a hobby he loved sharing with his children & grandkids. Stephen loved living in the Okanagan, if he wasn’t swimming in his pool or working in his vegetable garden, he’d be at a local lake fishing. Stephen was always willing to help friends and family without hesitation and devoted his life to the Lord.
Stephen will be lovingly cherished by his wife of 38 years Luana, their children Jeremy, Greg, and Christian (Vienna), and his two beloved grandsons Zachary and Jeffrey. Stephen will be fondly remembered by his brothers Rob (Gayle), Richard, Tom (Sharlene), his sister Debra (Frank), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a friend to so many and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Due to current government restrictions a celebration of life will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations in memory of Steve be made to his two favorite charities:Building beyond borders: Israel project and Building beyond borders: Kenya
Messages:
Dearest Luana: I’m devastated at the loss of another family member. Steve was not only my closest cousin, he was my friend. Although I hadn’t seen him for quite some time, I always felt a closeness to him. We’ve always shared in similar interests the main one being our love for the Lord Jesus. May God be with you through this very sad and difficult time. May the memories of your dear husband continue to comfort you and encourage you to find strength to carry on.God bless you Luana. Love you dearly.
I lost my closest friend when Steve left us. I'm so glad we shared a fishing trip to Doreen Lake together this fall. He was such an easy guy to talk to and share together in the things of the Lord. Super Bowl Sunday will not be the same without him. He would be so happy that the Seahawks beat the Rams today. See you at the banquet in Heaven Steve.
Dear Luana and family, We are so sorry to have to write this message. Kathleen sent around an email everyone know. We are so thankful she did. We have not been in touch recently, but it seems like just yesterday that we all were seeing each other regularly at KCC in Rutland. We always loved spending any time at all with you two. This is very sad news to know that Steve has had to leave you far too early. Please know we are thinking about you and praying for your comfort, peace and everything you may need at this time. We are comforted to know that Steve knew Jesus, His Lord and Saviour, and that we will see him again soon. Sending much love and all of our prayers, and once again our deepest sympathies that you have had to go through this, at a time like this. Love from Pete and Colleen Minchau xoxo
Steve will be missed. He was a good friend and we loved to discussed the bible with him. He was a great teacher and had much wisdom from the Lord. We loved our bible studies with both you and Steve. We are missing him already and our love and compassion extends to you and your family. Words are hard to express during this sorrowful time. You are in our thoughts and prayers and you are not forgotten. All our love!
Lu What a beautiful ride up… Yes I would think he would want to be buried with a fishing pole in his hand LOL We grew up around campfires as a family, it is in our blood. Our wives wonder how we can sit there and just stare at a flame for hours on end, it seemed always the best way for the Brooks boys to decompress. We will definitely make a contribution on behalf of my dear brother Steve. Just know that you are loved and thought of often.
Hey Lu, Jeremy, Greg and Becky I just want to let you know how sorry I am that Steve has left us he will be sorely missed but he will be greatly thought of in each and every heart of the people that knew him and will always be remembered by me I love you all
"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds." Ps 73:78 Larger than life, a Gentle Giant - Steve did not know how much he was like his dad - he was loved by the beloved and was loved by all who knew him. He was an evangelist with a pastoral heart for those in the margins. He loved the word and the more he was in it, the more it spilled out. He was an outdoors man who wanted face to face interaction - no Facebook for him. We enjoyed watching him in the fruit of his labours, be it the backyard with his garden or fruit trees or the spiritual fruit of his time spent with the Lord and with people. "A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted" Ecc 3. Steve was a person of adventure - we had a chance over the thirty years of knowing him - embarking on many many adventures both up country and out of country. Camping, fishing, cruising, road trips (marked by vehicle breakdowns), and finally “resorting” (our 'last resort vacation' retracing the steps from our 25th anniversary trip). So blessed to hang out over morning coffees or birthday dinners or campfire feasts. (Many foodie adventures we won’t talk about but I do believe we may have broken records). He was always the last one to finish eating, because he did love to gather and share around the table. We will miss his story telling, his joy and humour. So many laughs and memories of our dear friend Steve here on our earth but who is now in heaven in a new body and likely fishing or garden tending! Miss you Steve!