Steve Kingston passed away peacefully, at home in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on December 2nd after a 3.5 year battle with cholangiocarcinoma, one day shy of his 55th birthday.
Steve grew up in Mississauga, Ontario. Attended Silverthorn Public School, Tomken Road Middle School and Applewood Heights Secondary School (Graduated in 1988).
Steve was extremely intelligent and could have excelled in multiple disciplines, however he credits a leadership gym course he took in high school as the inspiration to study Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism and Natural Science at Lakehead University, which he loved. He graduated with his HBOR and BSc in 1992 and later went on to complete his Master of Science in Ecology, also at Lakehead, where he gained recognition by establishing “The Gradual Thinkers Alliance” who strived to solve the world’s problems over beers at the Outpost. It was during this time when Nancy impressed him with her knowledge of mammalian Latin names. They became inseparable after that. Steve and Nancy shared many adventures together and raised two great kids. He was incredibly proud of his kids. We are grateful for the gift of time he gained through advanced cancer treatments, which allowed him to witness his kids blossom into successful young adults. Steve left a lasting legacy to his family by building a beautiful camp on Lake Superior. Incredibly, most of the construction was carried out while undergoing cancer treatments.
Steve enjoyed being active his entire life. Some activities he loved include: ball hockey, basketball, soccer, rock climbing, cycling, canoe tripping, hiking, and cross country skiing. He played competitive hockey from a young age and continued to play with friends until he became ill. Whether it was intramural university hockey, late night shinny at the barn or MNR tournaments, Steve could be counted on to make the play. Steve shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for hockey as a coach in the Northwood Hockey League. He will be fondly remembered by many as “Coach Steve”. One of his proudest accomplishments was cycling solo across Canada in 1996.
Steve was dedicated to the protection of natural areas. Through his 24 year career as Ecologist for Ontario Parks, Steve provided life-science expertise regarding the establishment, planning and management of parks and protected areas in Ontario. Steve was involved in many provincial and local initiatives and was grateful that his job allowed him to visit numerous remote and special places in Ontario. He especially enjoyed working with like-minded individuals. He was instrumental in the development of a provincial system to inventory and monitor park features, which enhances the role of parks as benchmarks to monitor changes over time.
Steve was passionate about recognizing and promoting the health benefits of spending time in nature and was instrumental in the establishment of the “Healthy Parks, Healthy People” program in Ontario Parks.
Steve approached his cancer diagnosis in August of 2021 with unwavering optimism and pragmatism as he did all of life’s challenges. The last couple of months were difficult and we are relieved that Steve is no longer suffering.
Steve will be dearly missed by his wife, Nancy Parish, his children, Olivia and Nigel Kingston, his parents, Robert and Anne Kingston (Willow Beach, ON), sister, Laura Kingston (Bruce Irwin) (St. Catharines, ON), mother-in-law, Phyllis Parish (Thunder Bay). He will also be missed by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, many good friends, and his faithful companion, Koko (all Kingstons know that poodles make the best dogs!).
Many wonderful health care providers were involved in Steve’s care over the past 3.5 years. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Moore and Nurse Cynthia at PMH, Drs. Del Paggio, Ramchandar, and Sellick, and Nurse Jocelyn at the Cancer Center. Thanks also to Dr. Mangatal and Nurse Amanda.
An informal drop-in gathering of friends and family will take place at Roots Community Food Center (450 Fort William Road) between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday, December 8th. Parking at Moose Hall.
If you wish to make a donation in Steve’s memory, please consider the following causes:
Thunder Bay Field Naturalists (Nature Reserve Acquisitions) - indicate that your donation is in memory of Steve Kingston, for use on the purchase of a nature reserve on Lake Superior.
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation - Steve Kingston’s Personal Donation Page
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
