ALEXANDER JAMES STEELE

On August 13, 2024, the world lost a person so important to so many. Our hearts are broken to announce the passing of Sandy Steele.

A husband of 43 years to Evelyn Steele. A father to Krista Kielbusiewicz (Dominik), Wanda Draper (Cam), and Mila Lemkay. A grandfather to Matthew, Kendrick, Dakkota, Kennedy, and Victoria. A

great-grandfather to Beaumont. Brother to Linda Langois (Dan), and an uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend to many.

He is predeceased by his daughter Caley Steele; his parents, James and Catherine Steele; granddaughter Mckenzie Draper; and sisters, Cathy Miller (Ken), Doreen Klose (Fred), and Irene Carrier (Julien).

Sandy was born on June 28, 1954, in Peebles, Scotland. At the time of Sandy’s birth, his dad, Jimmy Steele, had immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada, to set up a better life and opportunities for his family. While there, a telegram was sent to him announcing the birth of Sandy. His only response: “I don’t care what you name him, just don’t cut it off!!!” Clearly, Jimmy was happy he finally had a son.

As a kid, Sandy would play until the sun set, climbing trees, shooting BB guns, playing cowboys and Indians, and, of course, catching toads.

He held many different jobs over the years. One of the first, which he held with fond memories, was working at the Pony Corral as a chef; he always said it with such pride. The funny part is that none of us really got to experience his chef-like expertise. His go-to dish was leftovers between two pieces of toast and a large glass of skim milk.

Sandy was also a meter reader for Winnipeg Hydro (later acquired by Manitoba Hydro). He loved that job so much, walking outside all day in hot Winnipeg summers, and of course, those not-so-hot Winnipeg winters. Trudging through snow, dodging ice patches on sidewalks, and running from angry dogs.

However, somehow on the coldest of days, little old ladies of the North End would invite him in for a warm meal, a cup of tea, and lots of wonderful stories. Sandy could talk your ears right off, often telling you the same stories 3, 4, 5, 6 times.

Sandy really did have a special way with people. He had many friends from different cultures and languages. He would go out of his way to do kind gestures for the locals when he went on trips to Mexico.

He would make CDs of music by Santana, one of his favorite artists, and hand them out to everyone.

Mexico was most certainly his all-time favorite place to be, where you could find him combing the beach with his metal detector for hours, hoping to uncover some big treasures.

He also had many friends in remote communities in Nunavut. His love of Inuit art led him to become good friends with many Inuit artists and their families. He would send gifts for their children. He really did have a heart of gold.

Sandy was a very adventurous guy, with big stories from his childhood, teenage, and early adult life that would make you question if he was telling the truth. But trust us, they were all real and out of this world!

His happiest times were spent on his boat with his family, fishing. He could have been out there for hours.

Dad loved a good cigar, he loved good music, a good hidden fishing spot, a good stereo with loud speakers, a hot sunny day in his pool floating, but most of all, he loved his family.

Dad, we will miss you always; you meant so much to all of us. How lucky are we to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

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I thought of you today, but that is nothing new,

I thought about you yesterday and the days before that too.

I think of you in silence, I often speak your name, 

All I have are memories and your pictures in a frame. 

Your memory is a keepsake from which I’ll never part,

God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.

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No formal service will be held at this time.

Sandy’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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