PETERS, Stephen Michael
The Peters’ family sadly says good-bye to another sibling, Stephen Michael Peters, born November 22, 1950, died February 24, 2024.
Stephen was a quiet man who lived a simple life. He loved his wife Sharon, his God, his family, and his country music. When Stephen wasn’t at work he could be found puttering in his yard and garage. He was very proud of the properties that he owned. His first, a mobile home set-up beside the old homestead in Marinette. Then he and Sharon bought their forever home in Spry Bay, where they resided until March 2021, when due to illness, they had to move to Harbourview Lodge Nursing Home in Sheet Harbour.
Stephen loved the outdoors. He loved fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling. Stephen was a great berry-picker! He especially loved to pick cranberries and would spend hours quietly gathering bucketsful for Sharon to turn into their winter jams and sauces.
While Stephen was still living in Marinette he would very generously drive his younger sisters wherever they wanted to go. He made many "taxi" drives to Sheet Harbour, never refusing their requests on "Hey Stephen, can you drive me to ‘the Harbour?"
Stephen never travelled very far and was content to spend his life with Sharon in the surrounding area of their home. They would take short trips to Porters Lake, Truro, and Moser River. They especially loved the monthly "music and meals" held in Moser River. Stephen would take his guitar and became confident enough to join the group even at times, adding vocals. He loved his guitar, dobro and mandolin and would spend time strumming and picking out tunes for Sharon’s enjoyment. When Stephen went to the nursing home, he was still able to share his love of music and would join various musicians in the Common Room to provide musical entertainment for residents. Stephen loved living at Harbourview Lodge where all staff from physicians to housekeeping treated him with great respect and a friendship that was like family, which included teasing and joking with him. It needs to be acknowledged that this amazing staff brought Stephen to the Common Room in his hospital bed last Tuesday, February 20th to hear the music that his siblings and friends were providing. Although he could no longer play his guitar, he definitely enjoyed the tunes, especially his very favourite, Faded Love. He was so very grateful to staff for making this a possibility as he knew it would be his last chance to hear the group. Our family will be forever grateful.
Stephen worked a number of jobs over his lifetime. He joined our brother, Laurie in Wittenburg at the Greenhouse for a time. He worked at the Sheet Harbour Pulp Mill until it shut down. He drove the early morning milk truck for a short period of time. For years, Stephen worked on the Marinette fire tower. He faithfully climbed that 80-foot structure each morning until early evening scanning the horizons of all the surrounding communities carefully watching for any signs of smoke that would indicate fire and danger to our homes and livelihoods. Stephen’s last job was with Northern Fiber Terminal Inc. at the Sheet Harbour Wharf where he was a watchman. He was a very loyal employee never missing work and always taking the holiday and Christmas shifts so those who had young children and family could be together.
Stephen is survived by two brothers: Laurie (Kathy Rogers), Stewiacke; George (Connie), Dartmouth; five sisters: Irma Snyder, Sheet Harbour; Nancy Balcom (Steve), Dartmouth; Beth Moser (Brian Duggan), Halifax; Bonnie Behie (Bob), Lower Sackville; Theresa Parks (Paul), Halifax; and many nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Coline Josey. Stephen was predeceased by his parents, Alphonse and Gladys (Richards) Peters; his wife and the love of his life, Sharon; his sisters, baby Linda and Anita Amyot; brothers, Jerry and Billy; brother-in-law, Bob Snyder, and sister-in-law, Lorraine Day.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Sheet Harbour, on Saturday, March 2nd at 11 a.m. with Archbishop Emeritus Martin Currie officiating. Musicians will provide fiddle music beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial of ashes will beheld at a later date. A reception will be held at the Sheet Harbour Legion (upstairs), 2356 Hwy. 7, Watt Section, immediately following the service. Family flowers only please. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Musgo Rider (musgorider.ruralrides.ca) or Saint Peter’s Graveyard Fund. Online condolences may be left at: www.crowellsfuneralhome.ca