Obituary of Stephen Gaida
Gaida, Stephen (November 11, 1954 - May 11, 2017)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our beloved Husband, Uncle, Brother and Friend, Steve Gaida. Surrounded by family, Steve left us on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Steve is survived by his loving wife of 40 years Mary (nee Ohar), sister Lasha (Randy) Ritchie, brother Michael (Sophie), sister-in-law Olga (Don) Pickett. He will be missed dearly by his nieces and nephews; Trisha (Greg) Floris, Josh Ritchie, John (Jen) Gaida, Steven, Stephanie (Pam) and Matthew (Kristine) Pickett. He will always be remembered by his aunts and cousins in Rochester, NY, Calgary, AB, and Kirkland Lake, ON. He was adored and will be missed by his great nieces and nephews, Lucy and Sydney Floris, August and Malachy Gaida, Cal, Lola and Mac Pickett and many Godchildren. Steve is predeceased by his parents, Nicholas and Margaret Gaida, and mother and father-in-law Walter and Stella Ohar.
He was an active member of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church in St. Catharines where he sat on the church council. His faith was very important and provided a foundation of support through his many years of battling health issues. Steve was the president and owner of Aristocrat Tile for 30 years. He attributed much of the company’s success to the excellent staff that served along side him. Steve loved entertaining family and friends and always had an open door policy. He loved to cook and it showed in his meals. He was an excellent chef and gracious host. He also loved the outdoors and spending time at the cottage. Whether it was cruising around on the boat, fishing, playing games or finding a new project - Steve was busy doing something and making things happen.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St. Michael’s Hospital especially Dr. Robert Chisolm, and the Nurses on the 7th floor Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for their compassion and support. To his cousin Wanda Hall who gave him the gift of life through kidney transplant 15 years ago - we will be forever grateful. As well, a big thank you to Steve’s family Doctor, Nancy Fung, and Dr. Jeffrey Zaltzman and the Kidney Transplant Team for their support and care over the years. Finally, to all the friends and family who kept Steve in their prayers, please know he felt each and every one, and is finally at peace in heaven smiling down on us.
Visitation will be held at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines on Sunday, May 14, 2017 from 6 - 9 p.m. and Monday, May 15, 2017 from 2 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 9 p.m. Panachyda will be held Monday at 7 p.m. A Divine Liturgy will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at 10 a.m. at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, 14 Rolls Ave., St. Catharines, followed by a Burial at Victoria Lawn Cemetery, Queenston St., St. Catharines. A Celebration of Life Reception will be held at the Americana Hotel, Lundys Lane, Niagara Falls following the Burial.
Donations in Steve’s memory can be made to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, 14 Rolls Ave., St. Catharines, ON L2N 1W1 or St. Michael’s Foundation - the new Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8 Please indicate ‘in Memory of Steve Gaida’.