It is with heavy hearts that the family of Steve Szabo announces his passing peacefully at home on June 3, 2015 at the age of 77 years.
Steve is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jean, his children Joanne (Garry) Osachoff, and Dan (Wanda), his grandchildren Megan (Tyler Smith) Osachoff, Nicole Osachoff and Tiara Shaw, and his great-granddaughter, Hope Schofield, brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and so many wonderful friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Ethel, brother Leslie, sisters Elizabeth and Marie, and Jean’s parents, Floyd and Gertrude Tatlow.
Steve was born to Joseph and Ethel Szabo on November 19, 1937 in Gerjen, Hungary. He grew up in Kalocsa, Hungary. By age 18, he earned his mining papers. In late 1956, at the age of 19, he left for Canada by passenger ship. After making his way to the West Kootenay area and working at the Silverton mine for a few years, Steve settled in Nakusp. He worked various jobs until starting as an apprentice heavy-duty mechanic at Celgar. In 1984, he started Szabo’s Mechanics Ltd. and worked on equipment up and down the Arrow Lakes, including the tugboats, until retiring in 2004.
Steve enjoyed life to the fullest every day with many passions including gardening, fishing, camping, chess, badminton, tennis, accordion, learning computers, telling stories and jokes and most of all, talking to his family every week.
He was loved by so many, touched many hearts and will be greatly missed. We will miss hearing him say “I’m not perfect, but I’m so close it scares me”.
Steve’s family wishes to thank the emergency services personnel for their compassion during this difficult time. A heartfelt thank you to all the family friends, Dr. Norm Lea and staff at the Saddle Mountain Medical Clinic and the members of the community. In lieu of flowers, we kindly request a donation to the Arrow Lakes Hospital in Steve’s memory.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.valleyfh.ca.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Valley Funeral Home.