Mr. Stephen "Red" Innes Sutherland

We are saddened to announce the sudden passing of Stephen on Friday December 3rd, 2010 at the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba with his wife Jo Ann, the love of his life, at his side.

Stephen is survived by his parents, Ronald and Nora, wife, Jo Ann (nee Menchenton), sons Alex (age 19) and Jacob (age 17), his brothers Colin (Lisa), Bruce (Laurie), Eric (Ashley) and nieces Keara, Maya, and Jayme.

Stephen was born November 27th, 1961 in Mississauga, Ontario. He went to Lorne Park Secondary School in Mississauga. He was a graduate of the University of Windsor in Computer Science, with a minor in Religious Studies. Stephen met Jo Ann at a PYPS gathering in 1985 and was engaged four weeks later. They married June 5th, 1986. He was employed at Mercer for 26 years, first in Toronto, and then the Winnipeg office in 1988. In Toronto, Stephen was a founding member of Youth in Mission. They moved to Winnipeg during Thanksgiving weekend of 1988 where Stephen was active with MENSA Manitoba.

Stephen was a proud father of both Alex and Jacob. When Jacob was diagnosed with autism at age 2, Stephen, together with friends and the support of the St. Amant Center, founded MFEAT in Winnipeg to help families with autistic children. Stephen remained active in support of families with autistic children and was a current Board of Directors member of the St. Amant Center. Last year, Jacob moved into a St. Amant group home, down the street from the Sutherland family home in Winnipeg. Stephen and Jo Ann have enjoyed extra time together this last year with Alex.

A visitation will be held at the Thomson Funeral Home, 669 Broadway, Winnipeg on Friday, December 10th from 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 61 Picardy Place, Winnipeg on Saturday, December 11th at 1pm, with viewing at 12pm. Stephen’s ashes will be entombed at Old St. Andrew’s on the Red at a later date.

In Stephen’s memory, donations may be made to the St. Amant Foundation, 440 River Road, Winnipeg, MB R2M 3Z9 www.stamant.mb.ca.

THOMSON FUNERAL HOME

669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4

783-7211