Stephen J.A Mlynarchy

He spent most of his childhood in Kamloops with his family, living in Alabama and Campbell River for a short time, but settled back in Kamloops.

He got a job at Woolco collecting carts, and moved up in the company when Wal-Mart took over. He moved to Penticton to work in the Wal-Mart there becoming a department manager and then eventually became an assistant manager. While in the interior, he met his partner Brian. They lived there for about 4 years and in that time had an unofficial wedding ceremony.

From there he and Brian relocated to Langley where Stephen worked at Wal-Mart as an assistant manager. He met his good friend Sam while helping to set up the store. After having been with Wal-Mart Canada for several years, he decided he needed a change and ended up getting a job with TD Canada Trust as a branch manager in the Abbotsford Wal-mart. He really enjoyed his time with the TD bank. He travelled a lot with the bank, going to various places such as Prince George and Chetwynde helping with training and opening in-store branches. When the TD branches were closed in the Wal-Mart locations, he was moved to the Walnut Grove branch. He won awards for meeting goals in the bank, and even won a trip to San Fransisco. He studied hard, got his mutual funds license and was waiting to get his own branch again when he found out he had cancer. He didn’t feel it was fair to the bank to continue working while he went through treatments so he took time off.

Even though he was no longer working at the bank, Stephen couldn’t just sit back and not do anything. He was always on the go somehow. He travelled a lot over the last 3 years, going to places such as Maui, Hawaii, Huatulco, Mexico, California and other locations.

He was excited when his sister Bobbi was talking about moving to Langley and did what he could to help her. He looked forward to being close to a member of his family.

His generosity, kind heart and quick wit made him an easy person to be around. He had such a big heart to help anyone who needed it which drew so much love to himself. Stephen was really involved in keeping things around Briarwood looking nice and in good repair. He took over the maintenance position on the strata council, always figuring how to fix things that normally the strata would have had to spend money on calling someone in to do. Whenever someone in his building needed help with plumbing or lighting, pretty much anything, he was there to help them.

Stephen had once said that he wanted to get married and have a family one day. He was able to fulfill one part of that at least when he and Brian were legally married January 27, 2008.

Stephen fought hard in life and always did his best in whatever he was doing.

His last two days of life he was surrounded by family and the people who loved him the most. He passed away peacefully with Brian’s arms around him on June 19, 2010 at 2:40am.

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Stephen John Albert Mlynarchy. He was a cherished son, partner, brother and friend.

Born in Kamloops BC on October 18, 1971. Stephen lived with cancer for the past three years and did everything imaginable to stay longer on this earth. Left to cherish his memory is his partner and friend Brian Neal (Langley, BC), his mother Bette Hill (Kamloops, BC), sisters Holly her children Ryan and Payton) Lahucik (Kamloops, BC) and Bobbi-June Hill (CeCe) (Langley, BC), along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

At age 38, Stephen was a wonderful person, full of life and fun, he loved playing jokes on others. His love for people, animals and those less fortunate than himself was apparent. He had a successful career that he loved in business with TD Canada Trust in Langley and Abbotsford since 2000 and was formerly in management with Walmart Canada since 1993. Stephen enjoyed traveling and made numerous trips to the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Hawaii Islands and Ontario. He will be dearly missed by all that knew him.

Stephen was predeceased by his father John Richard Mlynarchy (JR) in 1987 and both sets of grandparents, John and Carrie Mlynarchy (Kamloops, BC) and Albert and Alice Kriese of Dryden Ontario.

A special mention to Stephen's doctor, Brendan Martin, who was an amazing physician, who was personable, compassionate and very valued.

We will celebrate Stephen's life at Henderson's Langley Funeral Home, 20786 Fraser Highway, Langley BC on Saturday June 26 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, it would be greatly appreciated if you made a donation to the BC Cancer Society, we need to find a cure for this dreadful disease.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at www.mem.com.