Obituary of Steve Matthews

With heavy hearts, the family of Steve Matthews announces his passing, Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at 76 years of age.

Steve was born in Edmonton, AB on August 5, 1947. Steve and his mother, Helen moved to Bonanza, AB at the age of 3 where he would be raised at the farm with his stepfather Arnold, older brother Donald, stepsiblings Wayne, Vivian and Brian and half-sister Arnette.

Steve left school in Grade 9, never to return. His first job was at a lodge/gas station in Trutch, BC. Always the hard worker, when the station was slow, he would go down the highway and toss nails and screws out on the road to hopefully get a tire to repair. After working rig jobs, driving concrete truck, pipelining with Lon Hingley and taking his welding apprenticeship at Tidy Tanks he found himself at Ace Oil building and servicing gas stations. This led to a partnership and Dice Petroleum was founded in Ft St John, BC and expanded to Dawson Creek. In 1993 Steve took over the picker division and Steve’s Picker Service would take him back to working in the heart of where he grew up to his retirement in 2017.

Steve has two daughters, Lori born in 1971 and Brandi in 1973. Having a household of girls is probably not what he thought he was signing up for, but he fit the role of scary dad of teenage girls to a “T”. If either of us needed our dad, he was there. He taught us to work hard and be independent. He taught us generosity and if you can help, you do. Both my sister and I have a love for dogs that he bestowed upon us. Now both of us are never without a dog of our own to love. A few years ago, we were able to find him his favorite breed, a yorkie he named Chewy.

Steve was well known for his gruff demeanor and no b.s. attitude. He was tough but fair and if he was yelling at you, well you may have had it coming. For those who truly knew him he was a big teddy bear with a generous heart. Steve had an inclination towards mischief which added a certain charm to his personality. Orchestrating pranks or at the very least, an eager participant.

Coming in with a little bias, Steve played offence on the best broomball team, RNC Aces and later to be the Dice Rollers. This was more than a sport that he played, this was a lifestyle. From tournaments to summer camp outs, he found some of his dearest friends. And like all ice rink players in their downtime, they take to the links. Steve learned to love golf and his drive was almost something to be envied. An easy 300 yards, in the other fairway.

Steve loved watching hockey and the Edmonton Oilers were always his hometown pick, even after #99 left. Steve was still a part of the hockey pool at the Fire Hall and proudly passes his seat to his grandson.

Steve was never one to shy away from volunteering in the community. For many years, a volunteer fireman with the local fire dept. And in the early 90’s joining the South Peace Oilman’s Association. When they began putting up the Christmas Tree in the centre of town it was his picker’s and trailers that originally did all the heavy lifting. He would beam with joy at the annual Christmas Tree Light Up, seeing all the children and families gather for this now 30-year-old tradition.

While Steve struggled with his health in the last few years, his wife Toni ensured he had everything he needed during the most difficult times. He was so proud and relying on help was not an easy transition to make.

We are proud and grateful for the man that he was and that all he has done for us.

There is a place in my heart.

That is yours alone.

A part of my life that no one else can own.

Steve is survived by his wife Toni; daughters, Lori and Brandi; grandchildren, Jordyn (Matt), Laine (Kristi), Brandon and Brooklyn; great grandchildren, Eli and Leo; stepchildren, Nicole, Mitch (Sam) and Whittney (Tim); step-grandchildren, Seth, Finn, Halle and Cillian

Steve's family wishes to invite friends and family to a Celebration of Life for him at the Dawson Creek Senior Citizens Hall, 1101 McKellar Ave, Dawson Creek, BC, on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 1:00 pm

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium