1961-2025
Stephen Earl Wayne Peuramaki passed away peacefully at home holding hands with his loving wife Therese (nee Boucher) and his son Jesse on Friday, February 14th.
Stephen was born in Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) on December 12, 1961. He was the youngest child of the late Kalervo and Hannah Peuramaki (nee Kainulainen). He leaves behind his siblings Marla Peuramaki (Glenn Brown), Lois Peuramaki, Grant Peuramaki (Sharon), and Kevin Peuramaki (Lynn). He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews: Jaime (Cory), Katie, Rhiannon (Andrew), Meaghan (Shawn), Caitlin (Justin), Sarah (Derek), Liz (Gordie), David (Betsy), Michelle (Leo), Liam (Megan), and Emily (Greg). Following their move to New Brunswick, Stephen grew especially close to David, Betsy and their children Aliya, Charley and Eden. He will also be missed by his in-laws: Eric (Heather), Mark (Donna), Diane (Andrew) and Karl.
Stephen’s love of the sea began at the age of eight, when he joined the Navy League. He transitioned to the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps “Vindictive” at the age of twelve and attended basic cadet training at HMCS Quadra on Vancouver Island. He was especially proud of representing his cadet corps on a trip to Sweden. Somewhere during these formative cadet years, Stephen developed a passion for travel that would guide many of his choices into adulthood.
Following his cadet career, Stephen joined the Naval Reserves at HMCS Griffon. During these adventurous years, he sailed the inland passages of the West Coast and Gulf Islands, and down the Pacific West Coast to South America, with a particularly memorable visit to Machu Picchu, Peru. Stephen made many lifelong friendships during his time in the Navy and always had fascinating stories about his ports of call.
Stephen’s career as a Reservist eventually led him to Halifax, where he served full-time with the crew of HMCS Moresby. It was here, in 1989, that he met the love of his life: Therese. The couple shared a passion for scuba diving and spent 10 years as members of the Aqualantics Dive Club in Halifax.
While Stephen and Therese were dating, the Navy sent him to the United Kingdom to train with the Royal Navy’s Mine Countermeasures Squadron. At the time, he was HMCS Moresby Chief Boatswain’s Mate (Buffer) and Mine Sweep Deck Co-ordinator. Upon completion of the deployment, he was promoted to Moresby’s First Sweep Deck Director.
When Stephen returned to Canada, he made a few major life-changing decisions. First, he decided to propose to Therese, and the happy couple were married in 1992. Soon after, Stephen decided to attend college and began training for a career in computers. This led to a civilian job at Bowater Mersey Paper, where he worked for three years.
When Therese’s career led her to New Brunswick, Stephen began a new chapter in his life as well, taking a job with the federal government in Moncton. Over the years, he took great pride mentoring the computer server team. It was at this point in his life that Stephen also began a hobby that would become one of his lifelong passions: blacksmithing. He became a founding member of the Maritime Blacksmith Association, taking special pride salvaging old tools destined for junk yards and antique shops, keeping them in the hands of working blacksmiths.
In 2000, the couple settled in Sussex, where, in 2005, they welcomed their son Jesse into their loving home. Nothing gave Stephen greater pleasure than spending time with Jesse; no father was ever prouder. He loved sharing his hobbies with his son, who quickly discovered that his father was a navy history buff who loved museums, going to blacksmith meets, skiing, saunas, tractors, tech, reading, and watching programs about his favourite subjects. Stephen enjoyed mentoring Jesse and his friends about subjects ranging from carpentry to downhill ski equipment. Last June, he took special pleasure in showing them how to tie their graduation neck ties.
Stephen loved to travel by plane, boat or car, and said ‘yes’ to every opportunity to explore the world. The travel pins that covered his world map spoke of his adventuring spirit. Some of his favourite highlights included visits to Thunder Bay, Kaministiquia, Surprise Lake, Sooke, Powell River, Chicoutimi, Aylmer, Thetford Mines, Ottawa, Saint John’s, Marystown, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Lima, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Edmonton, London, Dover, Edinburgh, Guardalavaca, New York, Washington, Auburn, San Francisco, Monterey, Newport, Isle de la Madeleine, Reykjavik, Madrid, Helsinki, Oulu, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Luang Prabang, and Punta Cana.
Stephen also took great joy living in Sussex and spent nine years crewing for the annual Atlantic Balloon Fiesta. He loved participating in early morning launches with Jesse and Therese. Stephen’s friendly personality, kindness, and warm smile earned him many friends throughout the community, and he cherished them all.
Stephen’s seafaring days left him with a lifelong love of the water and the natural world. In recent years, this adventurous fun-loving spirit led him to the pleasures of kayaking on the Kennebecasis River with family and friends. When he spoke about his new hobby, his eyes lit up, as if the old sailor’s spirits had been rekindled.
Sadly, Stephen was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer on Jun 27, 2023. Stephen and his family were especially grateful for his team of healthcare professionals, including his family doctor Dr. Carole Deveau and her Administrative Assistant Tiffany Staples; his surgeon Dr. Jen Lim; his oncologist Dr. Mohammed Harb; the nurses and staff of the Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin Oncology Clinic, and the gentle and constant support from the Extramural Team here in Sussex.
During this last chapter of his life, Stephen showed a mariner’s sense of courage as he sailed towards the storm. Despite the prognosis, he remained cheerful and strong, taking deep pleasure in connecting with family and old friends. When the rough seas allowed, he even returned to London England and lastly the Dominican Republic to enjoy the things he valued most in life: travelling with Therese and Jesse.
The storm is over now. Stephen navigated it with the strength and dignity that characterized his exciting life. We can all take comfort knowing that he heads out on his next adventure true to his Royal Canadian Navy motto: “Ready, Aye, Ready.”
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, New Brunswick (506-433-1176). A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 from the Wallace Community Chapel. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Stephen can be made to Extra Mural Sussex or The Moncton City Hospital. Donations and personal condolences to the family may be made through www.wallacefuneralhome.com
