Obituary for
Steve Lerner
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Steve Lerner on Friday, April 12th, as his family prepared to celebrate his upcoming 75th birthday. Cherished husband of the late Lise Bégin and loving father of Bianca Bowie (Trevor), Candice Lerner-Fry, Natasha Lerner and proud grandfather of Cali, London and Addison. Survived by brothers Stan Lerner (Aurora) and Fred Lerner (Marguerite). Steve was originally from Westmount, Montreal but lived in several other parts of the country before establishing himself in Ottawa.
With an academic background in engineering technology and medicine, he specialized in high-risk obstetrics and neonatology. But, in March 1977 at the age of 32, he sold his company – and a patent for one of the first hand-held ultrasound devices – and entered the commercial real estate brokerage industry. Steve retired from a prolific career in commercial real estate only in 2017. His contribution to the retail landscape throughout the National Capital Region earned him a street named in his honour: Lerner Way, in Eastern Ottawa. But Steve was not the kind of guy who would tell you these things!
Over the years, Steve was an avid supporter of many charities and community organizations, which have included the YMCA-YWCA, the Ottawa Heart Institute, the Wakefield Palliative Care Centre, Maison Libère-Elles, Ride for Dad, the NAC and the Ottawa School of Art. Steve and his beloved Lise, were also major contributors to the Hope Academy Foundation, which opened an elementary school for 300 children in Somalia.
Throughout his life, Steve made a huge impact in many different fields. Beyond being a generous philanthropist, he was the creator of the « National Volunteer Emergency Response Service Act » (for which he was awarded a Diamond Jubilee Award by the Senate in 2016), he was a patron of the arts, he was a pilot, he was a motorcyclist, he was a doting family man and he had a very impressive tie collection. Steve’s sense of humour, leadership and desire to help his fellow man were his trademarks… he will be deeply missed.
The family wishes to thank the amazing staff at the Courtyards on Eagleson for caring for ‘Dad’.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Hellenic Community Centre, 1315 Prince of Wales Drive, on Thursday, April 18th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers – donations to La Maison des Collines, Wakefield.
Order Flowers
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Steve Lerner 1944 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Ottawa, Province: Ontario