Stephen Wells Cooper, 59, of Mississauga, Ontario, passed away on February 19, 2024 following a critical stroke. Steve’s life was marked by a deep love for his family, devotion to dear friends, and his charismatic and kind engagement with neighbors and strangers alike. An incredibly energetic and active man, his death comes as a shock to all who knew him.

Born in Ottawa on August 5, 1964, Steve was adopted on December 22, 1964 by Dave and Phyllis Cooper. Steve joined an older brother, Jeff, and the family grew with the birth of another son, Colin, and an adopted daughter, Nancy. In adulthood, Steve reunited with his birth mother Judy (d. 2008) and half-sister Tanya. Growing up, Steve enjoyed family holidays on Lake Massawippi, Quebec where he swam, fished, and cycled, all activities he enjoyed for his entire life. Steve’s passion for bike racing became a life-long pursuit. He competed at an elite level and planned many vacations and holidays around adventurous rides.

Steve studied carpentry at George Brown College and went on to establish his own business, Cooper Construction. Steve’s construction and carpentry skills combined with his strong work ethic and commitment to craftsmanship made him a highly sought-after contractor throughout Toronto.

It was at a party in 1992 that Steve met the love of his life, Christy Rowe, whom he married in 1995. Their son Christopher was born in 1998, followed by their daughters Carolyn in 2001 and Anna in 2002. Steve adored his family and was an integral partner in Christy’s career success as her banking roles expanded and prompted moves for their young family across the country. Over the years, the family lived happily in Oakville, ON, St John, NB, North Vancouver, BC and finally Port Credit, ON where Steve spent his spare time renovating the family’s homes with incredible attention to detail.

Steve adored his children and passed down his love of the outdoors by taking them on many camping adventures. In addition to his passion for cycling, Steve was an avid cross-country skier. He loved to race and eventually became an instructor and a nationally certified cross-country ski coach. Steve was keen for his family to embrace winter sports, taking them on mountain slopes and ski trails throughout Canada and the US. The Coopers spent their summers at the Rowe family cottage on Georgian Bay, which Steve built and improved for his in-laws over the past two decades. Steve also enjoyed vacations with extended family in Ottawa, Ocean City, New Jersey and Fort Myers, Florida. Steve always made sure to pack his bike.

Steve was proud of his children as they grew up and pursued their own educations and individual passions. In the last few years, he spent more time joining Christy in her travels and planned exhilarating biking adventures with his other riding enthusiast friends. He never stopped learning new skills and hobbies and had just created a cidery at the family cottage. With his trademark enthusiasm and motivation this past fall, he and the kids gathered pounds of wild Georgian Bay apples together to share as their first cider pressing.

Steve's family, his church, and his bike community remember him lovingly as a dear husband, dad, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was always in front of the pack, breaking through the wind, and making it easier for those coming behind. Steve is survived by his wife Christine and children, Christopher, Carolyn and Anna; his father Dave [Hugette]; and by Jeff [Annick], Colin [Kim], Stephen [Anna Liza], Cathy [Tucker], Tom [Joanne] as well as Danielle, Sandra, Nicolette [Cassidy], Jessica, McKenna, Ellie, Lydia, Grant, Toby, Reuben, Matthew, Nathaniel and Darby. He was predeceased by his mother, Phyllis, sister, Nancy, and nephew, Kurtis.

Visitation: Thursday February 29, 2024
Location: Chartwell Baptist Church
Address: 228 Chartwell Rd, Oakville
Timings: 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm

Funeral Service: Friday, March 1, 2024
Location: Clearview Christian Reformed Church
Address: 2300 Sheridan Garden Dr, Oakville
Time: 1:00pm

For those unable to join in-person on Friday, please find the livestream link below:
https://youtube.com/live/ARlxPhY7BjQ?feature=share

The Cooper Family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations to the charities that are important to Steve and the family would be appreciated:

Link: END Campaign | World Vision Canada
Website: http://donate.worldvision.ca/products/your-cause-hunger
In memory of Steve, join a global effort to take on and solve some of our world’s biggest challenges and ensure that children can live up to their full potential. Help tackle unclean water, broken healthcare, child violence, perilous futures and economic insecurity for the world’s most vulnerable people.

Link: Steve Cooper - Jack.org In Memory (akaraisin.com)
Website: http://jack.akaraisin.com/ui/15E1E9BE310C497EA5EFE71AC194ACBD/p/SteveCooper
In memory of Steve, help Jack.org, a leading mental health charity work alongside youth to deliver peer-to-peer education and resources to equip young people with the information they need to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health distress, understand how to take care of themselves and support others through times of struggle and advocate for better systems of support in their schools and communities.