Kevin Leslie Steele passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, at the age of 61. His last moments were spent surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Kevin was born in Windsor, ON on November 1, 1961, to father Andrew “Bud” Steele and mother Mary Margaret Steele. At the age of 18 he joined the Canadian Army and attended the Royal Military College of Canada, in Kingston, where he received a degree in Economics and Commerce.
Upon graduation from Royal Military College in 1984 he was posted to Vancouver, BC, the start point for a 19-year posting history that alternated between the West Coast and Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario. During this period, he served in a variety of finance, combat service support positions, and was deployed on overseas missions in Central Africa and Bosnia. In 2003, NDHQ finally brought him to the Ottawa region where he enjoyed a number of rewarding positions, and a third deployment to Afghanistan in 2008. LCol Kevin Steele retired from the Canadian Armed Forces on February 4, 2019 after 38 years of loyal and dedicated service.
His many military recognitions were the defining hallmark of Kevin’s professional life. However, his personal legacy is his deep love and his dedication to his family and close friends. Kevin was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving spouse Carole Joanne Joanette; brother Robert Andrew Steele; daughters Sarah Elizabeth Steele (Michael Adlington) and Hannah Marie Steele; stepdaughters Emilie Chanelle Williams (Tyler Williams) and Stephanie Gabrielle Joanette; and grand-children Ava Margaret MacLarty, Alivia Grace MacLarty, Maverick Steele Adlington and Evan William Adlington.
Kevin could be described as someone with a lust for life and a passion for learning. He was incredibly proud of his daughters and enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and watching them grow. In his down time, he loved to ride the open roads on his motorcycle, spend summer nights sharing meals and laughs with family and friends, and tinker around with tools in the garage on weekends. Kevin was a fixer of many things and had a natural ability to understand and overcome any obstacles put before him whether it was repairing an engine, building a deck or renovating his house. His incredible intelligence, witty sense of humour, and limitless generosity will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Family and friends are invited to a Visitation at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa), on Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 5 pm to 7 pm, and on Friday, December 30, 2022, from 9 am until the time of Service 10 am, followed by reception. For those who wish to make a donation in Kevin's memory, you may do so to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Digital Guestbook
Terry Sokolowski
Todd Mitton
My sympathies to the Steele family. A true gentleman and a pleasure to work with on the many occasions that we did. RIP Kevin.
Randy Harvey and Alix Ironside
Our sincerest condolences to Kevin's family and his many close friends. He will be so missed. We have had the honour of calling him friend for over 40 years. He truly did represent the best of us both in his personal life and through his professional life of 38 years of distinguished service in the Canadian Army where he represented Canada on several international missions. Rest in peace my friend.
Robert and Rose Mary Jamieson
We have wonderful memories of Kevin Sarah and Hannah -he was the proudest father. Such a great loss. Our thoughts are with both Sarah and Hannah.
Ivy and Robert
Your kindness, your smile and your class are your hallmark! We have lost a good friend and a nice neighbour! The emptiness from our heart will last long. We will miss you Kavin!
Paul Rutherford
Rest in peace Kevin? Sincere condolences to family and friends.
Martine Lambert
Carole,
Les mots ne suffisent pas a exprimer ma tristesse par le deuil qui vous frappe. Recevez mes très sincères condoléances et l'expression de mes sympathies les plus profonde.
David Erickson
I am rocked to the core on the news of Kevin’s passing. Kevin, was an extraordinary leader who touched many with his sense of humour but most of all with the love that he had for his family, friends and his team. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Josee Dorval
Deepest condolences Carole as well as to the entire family during this time of sorrow. The wonderful memories that so many of us at CBSA have from having worked alongside with Kevin will be forever in our hearts.
Bryan Perry
I had the pleasure of working with Kevin, albeit briefly in ADM (FIN). Our paths crossed again during his time as J8 Mil Ops. He was he was a consummate professional and also a very kind man. My condolences to the Steele family. Kevin was taken from us far too soon.
Carole and family, my sincerest condolence for your loss. I was deeply saddened by the news of Kevin's passing. Kevin was a great person and a friend. We had served together in Afghanistan and we worked together at the Director of Compensation and Benefits (DCBA). I will cherish those memories of the times we spent together, both as colleagues and off work as friends. Rest in peace my friend, you will be missed.