James (Jim) Martin Steffan
July 25, 1940 – October 14, 2011
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jim Steffan. After a year-long battle with cancer, Jim passed away on Friday, October 14, 2011 at the Victoria Hospice. He is survived by his loving wife, Fran (Pinky) of 43 years; and his children, John (Lysa), Rhonda and Tony (Renita). He is also survived by his sisters, Ester, Cecile and Agnes; brother, Basil; and grandchildren, Tyler, Jared, Nick and Natysha.
Born the third youngest of 11 children in Rouyn, Quebec, Jim left the small farming town for a career in the Canadian Army. Jim had a long military career retiring in 1994 after 37 years. Jim was very active during his time in the service, completing tours of Congo, Cyrpus, Egypt and Germany to name a few. One of the highlights of his time in the army was the year he spent on the newly formed Canadian Armed Forces Motorcycle Display Team travelling Canada during the Canadian Centennial performing stunts. After many years as a vehicle technician, Jim retired to Trail, BC. In 1997 he and Fran moved back to Victoria, BC to be with family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Prince Edward Branch #91 (Langford), 761 Station Avenue, on Friday, October 21, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
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Frank and Sheryn Weinberger
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Joan and John Seepman Dear Fran and family
Sorry to hear of Jim passing. My love and prayers go to you Fran and family,
Joan and John Seepman
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Pat and Sylvia Walsh My Dearest Fran and Family,
Our hearts go out to you and your family. We loved Jim dearly especially his buddy “Padre Pat”. One never knew what to expect from Jim, he was such a character. He was so well known and liked by all. Although we will miss him, he is at peace and without pain and suffering.
You know I am here for you Fran!
Our condolences to you and your Family.
RIP Jim
Your dear Friends Pat and “Lady” Sylvia (Walsh)
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Angy Levesque My most heart felt condolences to his family. I knew Jim from the Motorcycle Display Team. I was the chief mechanic who kept all those machines running. When Jim remustered to RCEME I was overjoyed to have such a fine person join our ranks.
In the years that followed I never met Jim again but I can see he had a successful career in RCEME
Rest in peace Jim.
JAL LEVESQUE MMM CD
RETIRED RCEME BRANCH CWO
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Stash Zroback I was very saddened to hear of Jim’s passing, my brother Bill Zroback and Jim spend much time at our family home at Hidden Valley, I was quite young but always respected Jim and enjoyed his visits very much, he was like family….. sorry for your loss Fran and family
Sincerely Stash
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Elizabeth and Doug Gillcash Dear Fran
We are very sorry to hear of Jim passing but glad he will no longer be in pain. We will miss his stories and jokes. May all your wonderful memories of Jim be of comfort to you. Our condolences to you and your Family.Elizabeth and Doug
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Nicole Kiepura Dear great aunt Fran, although I never really got to know my great uncle, I can see he was a great man and so many have so many incredible things to say about him. The world lost a great man, but God has received an even better angel. I visit my Grandma Agnes all the time and she talks about Jimmy almost every time we talk. My greatest sympathies goes to you and your family.
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Darlene McCutchon Dear Fran and family~
My heartfelt condolences to all..Jim was a good friend, and altho many years had passed between visits, he was always there in our hearts.
May the wonderful memories of Jim sustain you in your time of sorrow. Love Dar
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Jim Troyanek Fran and Family. I wish to express my sincere condolences on your loss of Jim. We are going to miss him at our PacSigs reunions. He will be missed by all.
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marge willis FRAN AND FAMILY!!! We will all miss Jim he was a great friend, now I don’t have anyone to say our saying shutup to. he is in a better place with no more pain. FRAN if you need anything donot hesitate
to call us.
Vern and Maw
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Bob Gauthier I learned about Jims’ passing from another Member of the CAF Motorcycle Display Team. Time has taken her toll on us but my memories are of Jim as he was on the bike doing some crazy trick. May we all meet again. My condolences to you and your family.
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Bob Knipstrom Fran and Family,I wish to express my sympathy on Jim’s passing. I knew Jimmy at 1 Sig Sqn in Calgary and was with him at 57 CDN Sig Unit in the Congo, met up with him again at the Pacific
Sigs reunions, he will be missed by all vvv 73’s Jim
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Bob Cook My deepest condolences to you and your family. I knew Jim on the Motorcycle Team and he was a great friend to all who knew him.
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Bill Zroback Fran, today I learned that Jim had passed away. It was not many months ago that he informed me that he was on his “last posting” We first met in Winnipeg in 1958 when we were attached to 2RCHA. We made many memorable trips to Kenora and my parents even had a spare room for him which they called “Steffan’s room”. Our sincere condolences to you and your family. He will be missed by all who knew him. Jim was one-of-a-kind and a true friend.
Bill and Gwen
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Georgia Logan Dear Fran & family,Bruce and I wish to convey our sympathy at this time. We always enjoyed playing shuffleboard with you both. Jim always had a smile and a joke for one and all. He will surely be missed. Sincerely,Bruce and Georgia Logan.
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Karl (Sonny) Dore Fran, we send you heartfelt condolences and wishes for much better days ahead, with your cherished memories of all the good times with Jim. May God be with you and your family at this most difficult time.
Love, Sonny & Shirley
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Trevor Fairchild I’m so very sorry for your loss. I knew Jim for many years both as a fellow rider on the Motorcycle Display Team & as a vehicle repair technician. To most of us, Jim had a well balanced disposition with a great sense of humour. I’d lost contact with Jim in the past 15 years as I had gotten out of the forces.
Still, I will miss Jim’s friendly face as I’m sure all of you will also. My sincerest condolences to his family & may God bless you all.Trevor Fairchild
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Mike (Crash) Comeau, CD I was a fellow trick-rider with Jim on the Motorcycle Display team in 1966/67. I was also his PT Instructor and “Crash-the-Clown” once we began our cross-Canada tour. After a year of training and 6 months packed into a 40 passenger bus and risking our butts doing tricks, jumps and precision riding; we became the proverbial “band=of-brothers” and inseperable for those many months. I lost track of Steff when the team was disbanded but we became avid pen-pals via email, a couple of years ago. Nothing had changed! We became instant buddies again and exchanged many wonderful jokes and stories. I will miss him and extend my heartfelt condolences to those who loved him. He will be received in the Kingdom of the Lord. “Bravo Zulu Jim…..over and out”! Your friend-Mike
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Mary and Darrell Phillips Dear Frances
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. May you have wonderful memories of Jim in better health. Give our condolences to your sons and daughter and may you have peace on this difficult day.
With much love, Mary and Darrell
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Wendy Gingras Fran and family, what an amazing person this world has lost. The only consolation is that he no longer suffers the pain he carried for the last while. May the memories you have be the highlight of your day as you go through this time of grief. He will always be remembered to me by the childhood memories that are so special to me. Thank Jim and Fran for the kindness and love you’ve shown me and my family over the years!
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Carolyn Goss Dear Fran,
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Our sincere condolences to you & the family. Will be praying for you as you deal with this great loss in your life. May God give you the grace you need at this sad time.
Carolyn & Jim
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Line Paquette Sorry for your lost, I knew Jim in Lahr, Germany. My thoughts are with you and your family.
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Annie Erickson Dearest Tony, Renita, and Willow
Sending you my love and heartfelt prayers on the passing of your Dad…
God bless
Annie xo
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Tanya Webb/Rudolph Sorry to hear of ur loss Jim was a great man, Our thoughts and hearts go out to all of the family…
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Valerie & Vince Fraser Hello Fran, Valerie and I were very saddened by Jim’s sudden passing. I have been in contact with him for quite a while now by emails and enjoyed out chats during the past year or so. Our thoughts are with you John, Tony and Rhonda during this difficult time.
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Donna & Gerry Trainor Fran, we’re so saddened by Jim’s death. He was such a good friend for so many years. Our sincere condolences. We’re thinking of you, John, Tony & Rhonda through this difficult time.
Love, Donna & Gerry
Fran and family, Sorry to hear about Jim. He will be missed by you all I,m sure. It,s been a long time since Cold Lake. We are in Calgary now so whenn you feel up to it contact us. We would love to hear from you. Take care , we are thinking about you. Frank and Sheryn