Stephen Raymond Field, the only child of Ray and Elsie Field was born in Riverton Hospital, South Australia on April 1st, 1956. In the first few years of his life the family moved to the suburb of Blackwood, South Aust. He quickly made an impression on the local shopkeeper, Mrs. Dutton who would tease him over the tall shop counter and also on the neighbour who allowed him to tease her chickens despite the fact that she did not usually like small children. Early impressions run deep and Steve became characterised by his mischievous grin and extraordinary sense of humour. Even those who met him briefly in his last days commented on how he managed to make a joke of most things. From Blackwood to the South Australian Riverland towns of Waikerie and Loxton, Steve’s father moved his family in his zealous approach of preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God as one of Jehovah’s witnesses. Sadly, this left Steve as an outsider at school but did mean he forged close relationships with other lads from the few families with the same beliefs. Some of those friendships endured throughout his life and remained valuable to him. Steve was close to his mum who passed onto him his most endearing traits. He was a sensitive, caring and compassionate man with a quick wit and a good eye for detail. He also helped his father cultivate orange trees and grape vines and spent summers fruit picking as he grew into a strong and healthy young man. The family was poor but thrifty and he learned to survive on little materially. Consequently, Steve had trouble learning to spoil himself in his later years. Uncomfortable and embarrassed by generosity from others, he preferred to sleep on the floor if a nice clean bed was offered for an unexpected overnight stay.
Country life is great for young men, but Steve’s cautious dad did not allow him to participate in motor bike riding, a lifelong desire that was finally met in his retirement. However, driving was an early skill and despite multiple roll overs in his beloved VW he remained passionate all his life about early models.
At 15 Steve set off to make a life on his own and found work around the country centre of Gawler, SA. It was there that many life long friendships were forged, and teenage energies were spent in hot cars and learning to love the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s. He moved in with his maternal aunt and her family became his family for a while. Life with his cousins provided many important memories. Steve had left the influence of his father but now had time to think about what was important to him and it was in his late teens that Steve dedicated his life to Jehovah.
Within a few years he had found the girl he wanted to marry, and Mary became mother to his much cherished daughter Dineka. For most of their married life they worked together on the Adelaide Tram service and were a well-known couple. They holidayed in Queensland and considered moving there but it wasn’t to be. Steve had fallen for the climate and lifestyle and became determined to at least retire in the Sunshine State. Constant shift work puts a strain on many relationships and it was a great disappointment when Mary moved on. Steve moved onto Metropolitan Bus Services and his parents moved in to help look after Dineka. It was some years later that Steve met Diane and a new chapter in his life began.
Married in 2008, the merged families posed some challenges as Steve moved from life as a single man into a household of 4 teenagers. However, the family unit was important to Steve and he cared deeply for his step children, Lauren and David as if they were his own.
He found a new passion in travel and the newly married couple were fortunate to travel to the UK as well as Europe and back to the UK in the first few years. Many happy memories were forged and further travel to South East Asia was thoroughly enjoyed. Scooter riding in Vietnam reignited his desire to ride motor bikes and so he obtained his license and his first bike, a Honda Shadow 400cc for learner riding. Once fully licensed he moved onto a 1300cc Yamaha V Star and gained much enjoyment from his riding. Steve had a wonderful singing voice and enjoyed taking singing lessons during 2017. It was a great delight for him to see Dineka marry. Steve would have made a loving grandparent if life had not taken the fateful turn earlier this year. A diagnosis of metastatic bowel cancer was a big blow. Retirement to Queensland was put on hold and chemotherapy attempted. Without results from chemo he turned to alternative therapies. He became especially close to Lauren in his last year as she proved to be a close companion and strong support. In September he was able to travel to Canada with Diane in order to explore further options. However, the cancer proved more aggressive than realised at home and his condition rapidly deteriorated. A blood test in hospital on Nov 13 revealed the extent of his failing system and within a matter of hours he peacefully closed his eyes with Diane and dear friends present. Steve had remained positive throughout his illness. The challenge of fighting disease was one that brought him closer to many, including his wife, Diane and also his Heavenly Father, Jehovah. The loving support from his local congregation in Adelaide as well as in Calgary sustained and encouraged him. The prayers and love that was provided were a source of great comfort. Steve had every confidence that Jehovah will remember him and that he will be able to answer the call to life again on earth as our Grand Creator has always intended for mankind.
A Memorial Service will be held at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Happy Valley South Australia late January 2019.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Stephen Field November 13th 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Airdrie, Province: Alberta