I met all the siblings in 1979 when I started working at Dr. Ngui's dental office.  I know Mrs Lam very well too. I do not know Uncle Laurence or ever met Bowman. 
 I remember Stephen was extremely proud of his family.  Stephen got married and had the first child Melanney.  He brought her to the office one morning when he did the printing delivery.  She was all dressed up in a pink dress with a little bonnet on her tiny head.  He was really showing her off to all of my patients.
He and I became very good friends as both of us had the same nature.  I had a lovely husband, and 3 beautiful girls; we both loved our family very much.  Stephen was very devoted to Lorraine and dedicated to his children, his brothers and sisters , and his mom. 
I remember I gave him the big fish tank for his giant dragon.  He came over to my house with all of his children to pick it up.  We ate watermelon on the balcony and all the kids were so happy. 
I remember the most funniest thing about him.  I saw the Canadian Tire flyer regarding “the door crash buy".  It read: “National 2 Cups Rice Cooker for 5.99 ".  I called Stephen to get 2 for my 2 girls : Elaine who lived in Montreal for schooling, and Florence who lived at UBC.  Guess what happened?!! 
He brought over 5 of the rice cookers.  He said to me “it's so cheap. Why are you only buying 2, get more while you can.”  He said that I was stupid.  He said in Chinese" lay ou gor mal ".  I laughed so much! I will never forget his " toy shan " accent.  I recently gave the last rice cooker to my mother-in-law who is living alone.  She was so surprised to see a such small rice cooker. 
His cheerful smile (sometimes can be serious ), loyalty, good, helpful character-always wearing his army look pocketed vest, beige-coloured shorts, his pair of running shoes........ is always in my mind. 
He did not want me to see him before he died.  But, rather, he wanted me to remember him as a healthy man. I thank him for that. 
There are not that many good-charactered men in this world. 
I missed him dearly...my friend...... 

Josie .

I first met Stephen after 4th grade while catching tadpoles in the creek beside John Wesley Sexsmith school during the summer of 1964.

We were in Miss Levi's 5th grade class. Our class was divided into rows for an ongoing contest. Stephen & I were in the same row. Everyone in our row worked hard to put points on the board for our row. Except for Stephen who went to the board to erase the hard earned points. One day, after he erased another point, as I put on my coat I whacked him on the head while passing by. He got mad & we fought. We became friends afterwards.

Many times I brought my lunch to eat at Stephen's house on West 60th Avenue during the school lunch hour. Stephen made his own lunch and sometimes he made extra to share with me because he couldn't stand my "disgusting" sandwiches. (That's how Stephen described my sandwiches years later.)

Together we wandered in the bush & caught little critters - tadpoles, frogs, snakes, birds. I brought them all to Stephen's house because my mom would not allow them. One time I filled a bag with snakes I caught and they escaped inside Stephen's house. (Remember the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where John Rhys Davies' character asks why the floor is moving?) His mom was not happy about that.

After school hours, Stephen also attended Chinese school. My parents wanted me to attend Chinese school but I did not want to. Now I wish I did.

We played and experimented with things that made his neighbours nervous - archery, pellet guns, slingshots, gunpowder, rockets. We were twin versions of "Dennis the Menace" and Jeffery Joe's father next door was "Mr. Wilson". Stephen filled a grenade, that I made in art class, with powder and exploded it by himself in the bushes.

In September 1967, we entered 8th grade at Winston Churchill high school.

In June 1968, Stephen invited me to go with him to learn a Chinese style of karate. This pivotal event was the Genesis of the opportunity for the 2 co-workers who now follow me in doing Tai Chi at lunch time.

On February 9 1970, my family moved from Vancouver to Toledo, Ohio. We kept in touch mostly by mail & sometimes by phone. Stephen also sent me a generous gift subscription for Beautiful British Columbia magazine for many years until I suggested he save the money for his growing family.

In August 1976, I played a joke on Stephen. My brother Dave & I drove a Ford Pinto across the continent all week to a pay phone across the street from Suburban Market on Main & 57th Avenue. I called Stephen to ask how were things in Vancouver and then drove to his print shop. He was seated eating a late afternoon snack in the upstairs kitchen when he saw us walk in. He pranced around the room repeatedly chanting "I can't believe it!"

In the summer of 1977, Stephen came to Toledo for a visit. He bought a tent from one of the Toledo stores & he was quite amused with the self-assembling tent poles. To try out his new tent, we went camping and took a 17 mile hike in Michigan. I dropped Stephen off at his aunt & uncle's place in Toronto.

From 1979 through the 1980's I went to Vancouver to visit Stephen about once a year.

On February 9, 1985 (exactly 15 years after I moved out from Vancouver), Stephen married Lorraine. During the week before the big event, Colin Lee & I took a whole roast pig to Stephen's house on West 60th avenue. Stephen attempted to put the German shepherds away but they got loose into the carport instead. Colin & I had to run the gauntlet through the back yard, holding the wooden tray with pig in it high overhead, skipping along using our feet to keep the dogs away while they jumped all over us as we shouted "Get away! Get away!" It was amazing we didn't drop the pig onto the ground - that would be a dream come true for the dogs.

After Stephen's father said a few words over the pig, Colin & I carried it back to the car, rerunning the gauntlet with the dogs. (Why didn't Stephen put them away?) We delivered the pig to Lorraine's house. As we waited there, I asked Lorraine to tell Stephen we took the pig & skipped town. She replied in a saintly voice "Oh no, I couldn't possibly do that." Some minutes later the phone in the next room rang & Lorraine answered it. She calmly said "No, they never showed up." I heard Stephen shout out of the phone "What?!!!"

Stephen & I had a bet on which of us would get married first. The loser pays for the airfare (I won't say who collected, in case Lorraine reads this part). I tried to talk him into a new bet - which one of us would have the first child. Stephen's answer - "No way!"

In the summer of that year I visited Vancouver again. On a Friday evening Stephen & I walked downtown & he pointed out the stuffed toy Tillicum that Lorraine was hinting about. I bought one for Cindy & we returned to the print shop. When Lorraine arrived, he handed her a bag & said he bought her something. I saw a look of anticipation as she reached into the bag & felt something soft & furry. She must have been thinking "I've been dropping hints left & right on this dummy. He finally got the message." She pulled out of the bag "A pair of socks?? You bought me a pair of socks??" Uh-oh, that was not a good time for something practical. If I pulled Tillicum out of my bag to show what I got for Cindy, his goose would've been cooked. To save Stephen's bacon & to ward off a possible kidnapping of Cindy's Tillicum, I spent the next several days visiting every department store & gift shop searching for another decent looking Tillicum (this one's stitching is uneven, that one looks cross-eyed, etc).

During that visit, my manager Bruce Edson was on a work assignment in Seattle so Stephen & I drove there with a case of Sun Ripe apple juice for him & to take him & his family out to dinner. To me it was an unusual sight seeing Bruce & Stephen in the same room - a coming together of the Endicott & Vancouver worlds. Bruce & his family were quite impressed with Stephen.

During my 1986 visit, I stayed in the upstairs room at the print shop & I noticed the room was repainted recently. The room was painted just for my visit? No. Stephen said a movie company did some filming downstairs & then used the upstairs room, painting it black for a funeral parlour scene. Stephen's mom was furious & she ordered the company to repaint the room. I started remembering a movie I saw on TV - a boy playing in the streets, falling off his home's balcony & dying, his family buying a casket in a dark room. It looked like it was going to be a dreary movie so I changed the channel right before the scene with Stephen in it. I must have waited another year for that movie "Love is Never Silent" to show on TV again.

One year Stephen & I went fishing with his rubber boat in the Horseshoe Bay area. We brought the fish we caught back to the print shop & I started to eat lunch. Stephen's mom just returned with a friend & started cleaning the fish. She was mighty upset. She paid $20,000 for a new van a year ago. It was on back order all this time & today the dealer wanted more money. She went to the dealer & just took her money back. She took out her frustration on those poor fish. I'm there holding a rice bowl & chopsticks, bobbing & weaving, dodging most of the flying fish bits.

I am very sorry to hear of Stephen's passing. Jim Rimmer and I had many enjoyable visits with him at Ho Sun Hing. I think he was the happiest printer in Vancouver. My sincere condolences to his family.

Alex Widen

Daddy, 

Words and tears cannot express how much I'm going to miss you.  I'm gonna miss our Saturday early morning sit down breakfasts.  Just me and you, 650 C-isle, oatmeal, eggs and toast,and our conversations on the latest family gossip.  I'm gonna miss our fall hikes up to Cypress and Lynn valley, the excitement on your face when we ate out at different restaurants, our summer family vacations that you meticulously planned out, and your amusing sense of humor.  But most of all, I'm going to miss all of your "words of wisdom" and keen advice that has helped to get me through all those difficult times. 
I love you so much Dad.  Although, you are not here in person, I know that you'll always be here in spirit.  I love you so much, and look forward to seeing you sometime in the future.

Dear Stephen

I was deeply sadden to hear that you are no longer with us. You are one great brother-in-law to be around with. We always joke around and you are always there if I needed some help. We have some things in common, we both enjoy sci-fi and talked alot about Star Trek. You are one wonderful person, I will miss you, but I will always remember you in my heart and memories forever.

To my compassionate, warm-hearted daddy: No matter what happens in life you always taught me to keep my head up and never give up. Ill always love you for the fact that you nurtured and cared for me. Knowing that you are gone from your beautiful body of yours does not mean anything, because I know you are still here with me in my heart. You knew how to brighten my day up when I'm sad and knew how to make me laugh when I'm mad. Everyday you'll be in my thoughts of all the good times we had together. I'll always love you daddies and will never forget you.

To My Greatest Pops.(Baba)
 
I still can't believe your gone, I wake up everyday thinking why and how did this happen so fast? Words can't describe how much I miss and love you Pops. You taught me so much, I hope to be like that with my kids one day, a great father and leader. You gave so much to the whole family and will never be forgotten for your kindness, generosity and sense of humor. We had so many fond memories together and it shall continue when we reunite. See you later in the afterlife Pops. 

Justin (#1 Son)

Dearest Uncle Stephen: it is still hard to accept that you are no longer with us.  We will always remember your contagious laugh and your enthusiasm. You were always generous with your kindness and had a zest for life. You were truly one of a kind, and you are sorely missed. We will never forget you.

Dearest Great-Uncle (Yee Gung): Your kind spirit, your laughter and your fun personality always lighten up the room even in your darkest time. The people in heaven are so lucky to have you. I'll miss you very much.

Our Dearest Uncle Stephen: No words can describe the emptiness we feel. How we wish it was just a bad dream. You have touched a lot of people with your caring, thoughtful, giving, forgiving, hard-working, generous, unselfish, and kind nature. And your fun personality always lightened up everyone with laughter and happiness. We miss you so much. You are no longer suffering and you deserve all the best in heaven. You will always be in our hearts and thoughts. We love you always.

Dear Beloved Brother-in-Law Stephen: I will never forget your kindness and good nature to help other people whenever you can. I also admire your forgiveness to other people when they were unfriendly to you. What a great man you are. I miss you and will remember you from the bottom of my heart.

Uncle Stephen,
Words and emotions cannot express how much we miss you.  You fought brave and strong through your battle and through it all, your sense of humor, laughter and giving spirit did not fade, it only got better.  You are here in our hearts and in our memories forever.

Dearest Stephen- You left us much too soon. My heart aches every time I think of you. I hold in my heart endless fond memories of our life together. I miss you so much as do your children. Life will be a challenge without you but I know you will always be there to spiritually guide us through. Love always.

I am deeply saddened by hearing of this news. Stephen was my childhood friend where I lived just a few steps away on Georgia Street from Ho Sun Hing. We went fishing down the docks of Chinatown and used to bring back shiners for dinner. He used to catch so many. We have lost touch over the years as I went onto University and moved away to Edmonton but Steven is one friend I never forgot. Auntie Hilda, you remember I stopped by Ho Sun Hing not so long ago to say hello. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son but know he will not be forgotten. My sincere condolences to you and the family.   

Ron Hall (Ho), Edmonton

Daddys (Baba), I Love you and miss you very, very much. My heart aches since you've left us but I know that you are no longer in pain.  I am so glad that I got the privilege to  have you as my daddy and because of you, I am a better person. You always told me that family comes first and that you should always help people. I will try my best to  follow in your foot steps the best I can.  I wish that I could've learned more from you. Every memory that we shared together will be passed on to my kids. I want them to know that their grandpa was the smartest, most kind hearted man to ever live.  I love you daddys,  I'll be seeing you. 
Your 10% small-headed daughter,
Brittany ( daughter #3)

My Dearest Daddys (BaBa/Pops),

There are no words to express the ache in my heart. It's like a piece of myself has been brutality torn away. The one thing that keeps me comforted is knowing that you are safe (with Gong Gong & Uncle Lawrence) and at ease watching your favorite shows/movies on a big screen TV. 

You are always in my thoughts and will forever be in my heart no matter where I am. I love you eternally and know in my heart that I will see you again.

We are so sorry on the loss of Stephen, our  family prayers  go out to your family.

Dear Stephen,

Your actions were always kind,
A generous hand and an active mind,
Anxious to please and loath to offend,
A loving husband to my sister (Lorraine) and a doting father to your children,
Before our eyes you grew weaker each day,
You fought so courageously, until God took you away from the pain and away from us,
The saddest thing we may endure is in saying farewell, 
But you live on in our heart and mind,
To have you as a brother is to have experienced a very special gift,
While it will be very difficult to think of this physical world without you, 
You have started another journey that will be filled with adventures that you always wanted to partake, 
And looking down on us with a smile and a twinkle in your eyes, 
We will meet again one day. 

With kind regards,
Linda

Dear Lorraine, Mrs. Lam, Peter, Norman, Marshall, Yvonne, Elaine and Eva:

I am so saddened to hear of the loss of my exceptional friend, Stephen. He shared his love of life whenever he was present - he brought smiles and laughter. Stephen was devoted to his family and his friendships were lifelong, spanning distance and time.

 My condolences to all. 

Mui-Ling Y. Dong, Toledo, Ohio

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Stephen Marc Lam

21 décembre 1953 – 7 octobre 2013

Mount Pleasant Universal Funeral Home

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