STEPHEN MacEACHERN

January 7, 2024

Stephen MacEachern of Kincardine died peacefully in his sleep, Jan. 7, 2024, at the age of 86. Born Feb. 9, 1937, in Creignish, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, he was the fifth child of Christy Ellen Francis and Angus MacEachern, and grew up alongside 16 siblings on a farm overlooking St. Georges Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. Steve's early years were filled with the hard-working rhythm of farm life. Life led him away from Cape Breton, first to Elliot Lake for work and eventually to Montreal, where he ventured into upholstery work before securing a job at Fina. During a drive with a friend through the Eastern Townships of Montreal, they stopped to pick up two hitchhikers, one of whom was Valerie Ann Stevens. This fateful meeting led to a love story that would span a lifetime. They married, had four children, and soon began the next chapter, embarking on a journey that brought them to Kincardine during the storm of the Century in 1971. Steve dedicated much of his working life to the heavy water plant at Ontario Hydro, retiring at the age of 55 with a golden handshake. Retirement was an opportunity for him to indulge in his passion for woodworking, a skill he had honed as a skilled carpenter. Notably, he built several houses during the '70s, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to providing for his family. Thirty years of retirement were a testament to Steve's resilience and passion for life. A long-time member of Ainsdale Golf Course, he had a passion for golf, taking numerous trips around the world with his son, Kenny, to play legendary golf courses, such as St. Andrews in Scotland, Pebble Beach, and every course on Cape Breton Island. His basement wood shop became a haven for creativity, where he crafted bird feeders, whirly-jigs, and served as the go-to handyman for fixing anything around the home. Steve was often a quiet man, finding solace on his back deck overlooking Saugeen Valley Conservation, ensuring that his feeders were always full to welcome all the various birds that had come to depend on the haven he and Val provided. Blue jays, grosbeaks, finches … he spent countless hours coming up with ways to prevent the squirrels from stealing all the peanuts and seeds. He could spend hours relaxing in the sun doing crosswords, sudokus, and reading novels. But there was another side of him that loved a good party right up until the final hours. Nothing brought him more joy than celebrating life with his family and friends. Steve possessed the gift of storytelling, often turning his narratives into songs, especially when accompanied by a drink. He loved to sing and dance, effortlessly recalling verses of Dolly Parton, John Prine, Hank Williams tunes, often substituting his own lyrics when the original ones escaped him. He avoided prescription medications, whenever possible, managing to get off cholesterol medication with a self-prescribed cholesterol-lowering diet of porridge with brown sugar and raisins, which he adhered to religiously from Monday to Friday, enjoying Saturday bacon and eggs, and pancakes on Sundays. Steve loved his routines and watched the news every night at 6 o’clock, 60 minutes, and if there was a Leafs game, a Raptors game, or a Blue Jays game, you’d know where to find him. He wasn’t one to get angry often, but it sure came out when the Leafs were disappointing him. His generosity knew no bounds, always willing to give the shirt off his back and extend a warm invitation for a drink to anyone he met. Often bringing home complete strangers much to mom’s dismay but that’s the thing, nobody was a stranger to dad. They say people who talk to everyone and anyone will live a long life. He loved to walk all over town, through the fields, and once walked to Tiverton for Terry Fox with a bag of peaches in solidarity with a man he believed to be so courageous. Five months ago, Steve suffered the loss of his true love, Valerie Ann Stevens, and endured the loss of his first son, Stevie; his granddaughter, Analiese; and his brothers, Angus Beaton, Dougald, Josie, and Johnny; sisters, Theresa, Mary-Belle, Elizabeth, and Aneas. Steve is survived by his brothers, Alec Dan, Hughie, Willy, Jerry, Dougie, Angie; his sister, Almira; and all their loved ones and family. He is greatly missed by his children, Kate, Ken (Terri), and Brenley (Adriana); grandchildren, Tash, Noah, Sam, and Luke; and great-granddaughter, Lexi. Dad, thank you for such a wonderful last day together, the four of us sharing stories of mom. We are so terribly sad to see you go, but we know that you had a broken heart, and a broken heart is a heart not fully living. It was time for you to go find mom. Burial service at Kincardine Cemetery, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at 1 p.m., followed by a drop-in at the family home, 1105 Milne Drive, Kincardine. In lieu of flowers, please raise a glass to Steve and remember, in the words of Dr. Maya Angelou, “I’m convinced of this: that good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.”