November 15, 1975 – September 5, 2026
Stephen was born to Heather and Lawrence Strutynski in Salmon Arm, BC, where he grew up. He spent most of his adult life on Vancouver Island, on the Saanich Peninsula. Stephen was a talented artist, a loving husband to Maureen, father to Sebastian, brother to Niki, and a caring son and uncle. He was also a dedicated teacher, mentor, and a loyal friend. Stephen’s love for his wife and son was deep and devoted. He also doted on their family dog, Vimy. He was passionate about his work and proud of his students and the community he worked with at Stelly’s Secondary School.
Starting in his early 20’s, Stephen faced serious health challenges that had lasting impacts on his physical ability, but he did not let this hold him back. On the contrary, his achievements as an artist and teacher are a testament to his dedication and perseverance.
Stephen completed both a BFA with honours and Masters in Art Education at UVic. He was forever committed to bringing his learning into his teaching practice. Stephen was a beloved teacher because of his passion and care for ideas and creativity. He never asked “Why?” only “Why not?”
It was Stephen’s wish to create a visual arts award in his memory. The purpose of this award is to provide financial support to a visual arts student as they continue on to post-secondary. The family hopes this will be a legacy fund for many years to come and will honour Stephen’s passion for art and future artists. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to fulfill Stephen’s wish here: Stephen Strutynski Visual Art Award
We thank you for your generous support.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm, in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. All welcome, come as you are, wear something colourful.
For those who are able to join us, the family would love to create a shared scrapbook of memories. During the gathering, we will provide cards for you to write down a favorite memory, story, or message – there is no need to prepare anything in advance.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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22 Responses
Heather and Larry, we are thinking of you at this time. We remember Stephen as a boy in Salmon arm and how gutsy he was when dealing with his health issues. He certainly lived his life to the fullest. Looking at all the comments from his students, he was very much loved in the work he did and touched peoples lives deeply. Jane and Lyle
I was a student of Stephen’s back in 2018. He’s one of those teachers you never forget, that you fondly mention when reminiscing about the highschool years.
To everyone in his family, thank you for sharing him with us. I’m privileged to be a drop in the ocean of artists and students who have been impacted by his warmth and wisdom.
My favourite memory is when he found a classmate and I hiding out on the top floor of the art room. It was during a school-wide event in the gym that we didn’t want to attend. He peeked around the side of the giant cabinet we were tucked behind and just laughed. His unforgettable laugh always brightened up the classroom. He let us work on art instead of kicking us out until the block and event were over.
So sorry to hear about Stephen. I was a neighbor of the Strutynskis in Salmon Arm for many years, watched him grow and progress. My thoughts are with family and friends. Al Singer, North saanich
I was Stephen’s supervisor in Art Education at UVic. When Stephen shared with me his desire to write a “page-turner” for his final capstone project, drawing on his lived experience and focusing on his life story, I encouraged and supported him wholeheartedly. He accomplished what he set out to do. His work challenged traditional research frameworks. His approach was creative, insightful, and highly empathetic. He had a powerful, courageous, and valuable voice. I will share his work for years to come as a stellar example for art educators seeking to grow and develop professionally and personally through arts-based research.
Maureen and Sebastian, I am very sorry for your loss. He always found a way to bring you both into his artistic projects and assignments as an integral part of his vision and as an extension of who he was. He will be missed by all who knew him. ~Natalie
If you or your child attended Stelly’s and lived for art, it would have been impossible not to have been influenced by this beautiful human. Stephen Strutynski, or more affectionately known as “Mr. S” played a significant role in the high school lives of two of my children. My daughter now lives an artist’s life out of the country (and her mural still lives on the Stelly’s art room wall). My son has followed in Stephen’s paint-covered footsteps as he now teaches art at Stelly’s. His positive influence and unwavering support of my children’s talents were undoubtedly why they found the courage to pursue their passion and their paths. This community – and the entire art community will never be the same without Stephen’s presence. It was my honour to contribute to his legacy award. My condolences to his family, and please accept my gratitude for sharing him with my family and the art world.
Maureen and Sebastian,
Please accept our family’s deepest condolences for your loss. Each time we saw you all he was always so kind and positive. We could tell how much he LOVED being a Dad! I remember seeing him enjoying watching all of the kiddos during birthday parties, and making them so special with his extra ‘artsy’ touches, aka Pinatas, decor, hanging doughnuts… 🙂
Sending you both so much love and healing.
Season, Steve, and Benjamin
Stephen was a student teacher at bayside when I was there, then became my teacher in his first year at stellys and my last. As a result we had this sort of funny relationship where I think he could tell I could sense a bit of his imposter syndrome. Because of this he let me get away with so much and really explore my passion for art and design while being a bit of a troublemaker for the department. From painting on the floors and walls of the art room to focusing on digital design in traditional art classes and more. At the end of my time with him there he even pushed to create the new visual arts award at stellys to give me some recognition so this feels very full circle. I really appreciated his mentorship and went to Langara college for art as a direct result of his guidance. He had a large impact on my design career and for that I will be forever thankful. I saw him a few years back when he had me come speak in his class and it was great to see how he had made the program his own. He has left quite a legacy and I’m certain the award in his name will help to continue that legacy of pushing people to pursue their artistic passions. Much love, Conrad Stel.
Dear Maureen and Sebastian, Heather and Larry, Niki and Nick and Fenna and Odi, Dee and Bruce and Sarah, and everyone else who knew, loved, worked with, was taught by, or was otherwise enriched by Stephen’s presence in their life – what a loss, a life cut tragically short. We are so sorry and are sending all our best thoughts and moral support as you adapt to life without him. Wishing you all peace and healing in the time to come. Love from the Neisingh family (Susan, Ed, Liesbeth, Mieke, and Kody)
Offering my deepest condolences to Maureen and Sebastian, and Stephen’s friends and family. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work with him at Stelly’s, although only for a few years. It was very clear to me that he was a special guy and loved by all his colleagues and students! He will be greatly missed by all who knew him; my thoughts and prayers are with you all ❤️
Dear Family,
I’m sad I didn’t get to know Stephen better, and I’m very sorry I won’t be able to be at his service. But what I can say is, what a legacy he leaves in all of you. If the measure of a life well lived is love, he did life right. I’m just so sorry for the pain he’s left behind.
We love the visual arts memorial and have left a wee something from this part of the Wyllie crew-Sharon, Ken, Sandra, Elsa, Reza, Sam, Roman, Keira, Bowen and Oliver all know big things are going to keep reverberating because of the mark he leaves on this wild world.
We are sending you all so much love.