With great sadness, his family announces that Stephen passed away in the Oncology Unit of the Grand River Hospital in Kitchener on Saturday October 2, 2021.
Survived by his loving family, his wife of 50 years Pat, his sons Dion Sharma (Krista), Gavin, his daughters Gillian Sharma (Gregory Simone), Vanessa Sharma (Benjamin Page-Wood) of Australia, and his precious grand children Justine, Ethan, Madelynn and Sarena. He was pre-deceased by his father Errol Sharma (2002), his mother Mary Sharma (2019) and his mother-in-law Anna May McCarthy (2018).
Stephen was a retiree of the CIBC where he worked since immigrating to Canada from Trinidad and Tobago in 1970. In his home country he worked for the now defunct Pan American Airways, he was a member of the ‘PanAM Old Boys’ a social group of expatriate co-workers who now live in Canada and continued to maintain the friendship they forged back in the old country.
Once moving his young family from Toronto to Preston in 1975 Stephen embraced his new community. As Roman Catholics his family were members of St. Clement’ parish where he took an active role in the parish community.
In 1984, he became a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4916; he further committed to this Roman Catholic Fraternity and was invested as a Sir Knight of the 4th Degree in 1985. He served his council in the capacity of Grand Knight from 1987 to 1988.
His involvement in his community extended outside of his church and in his children’s formative years he supported them by volunteering when needed in whatever sports organization they had an interest in, at one time he was part of the Executive and a Convenor with the Preston Minor Softball Association, he also supported his children in Cambridge Youth Soccer.
Stephen cherished his wonderful, overly generous neighbours who especially in the last few years as he struggled with his illness without being asked they stepped up to assist him in any way they could. His family owes a debt of gratitude to the Darcy family, to David and Lee-ann Post, the Silva family, all of whom were there for Stephen. In addition, much thanks and appreciation goes out to Stephen’s ‘Golfing Buddies’ ... his CIBC Retiree Group, his Neighbourhood Group, his Church Group, all of these golf enthusiasts who shared his passion for the sport, also a special thank you to the management and staff of Puslinch Lake Golf Course where Stephen volunteered for a number of years.
In the last few challenging months of Stephen’s illness, it was a blessing for to have the constant support, knowledge and input of these four incredible women, my sister Susan Jaggernauth, my sister-in-law Almina McCarthy, my dear sweet cousin Deborah Julien, and my wonderful friend Stephanie Sinai-Mallett ... you ladies were our rock and will continue to be.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place; a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clements Catholic Church, 745 Duke Street, Cambridge on Friday October 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Due to the ongoing pandemic, a strict COVID protocol is still in place. All entering the church must wear a mask, anyone unable to wear one must provide an ‘official’ exemption document in order to be allowed admittance. Social distancing must be observed in the church at all times with seating in the designated areas only.
As expressions of sympathy, a donation to the Saint Vincent De Paul Society would be appreciated.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18