Obituary of Stephen Paul Edmiston
EDMISTON, Stephen Paul
On January 19, 2021 the world lost a good man, Stephen Paul Edmiston.
Born June 12, 1961 and raised in Burlington, he graduated from Queen's University in 1983 and made Kingston his home. Soon after Steve met and wed his wife and best friend Barb Kemp. They shared their love of dogs, hiking, paddling, camping, fishing and gardening. In September 1992 their twins Joey and Cora came into the world. The wonderful life he and Barb built with their children defined the man and his legacy.
Steve’s heart and compassion for those less fortunate extended into his formidable career in social services, where he has created lasting change and helped the lives of so many. He worked for Community Living Kingston and District for more than twenty years in direct service, supervision and management. Steve played a very important role in leading the organization through a period of tremendous growth that included supporting individuals to move back to their home communities from institutions and to assume their active and respected contributions to community life. Steve went on to work for the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services in various leadership positions before being promoted to Community Programs Manager at the South East Regional Office. Steve was a tireless champion for the rights of individuals with an intellectual disability and a true friend to so many. He was highly respected locally, regionally and across the province as a man dedicated to building a stronger developmental service system and healthier communities that celebrate inclusion and diversity. During his latest position as Community Programs Manager at the Ministry, Steve’s reputation of trust and partnership that he continuously cultivated with his colleagues across Ontario and with agencies in the developmental service system set the highest of standards. In 2009 he received The Amethyst Award for Outstanding Achievement by Ontario Public Servants, the highest honour awarded in the Public Service. His friends and colleagues are devastated by his loss and will miss him dearly.
Steve was the third child of Donald Paul Edmiston (d. 1977) and Joan Marie Silmser (née Moss), (Bob. d. 2010). As a boy, he was kind and generous and had many friends. He was an excellent fastball pitcher and in his adult years became a committed armchair athlete protectively watching over his beloved Miami Dolphins. He had a supernatural talent for sports pools. He cherished his annual family “shuffle off to Buffalo” for the Bills/Dolphins rivalry.
He was an excellent cook and for over a decade regularly hosted his nieces and nephews for Sunday dinners during their time at Queen’s. This ritual was particularly enjoyed by the entire family and resulted in care packages being sent home with them to the ghetto to get them through the week.
Steve was a skilled handyman and built a beautiful family room extension to their home. His crowning achievement was their cottage, which Stephen transformed from what could charitably be called “a falling down dump” into an exquisite and soothing retreat for friends and family.
He leaves his older sisters: Laurie Edmiston (Andrew Akman) and niece Megan Edmiston (Patrick Leitch), and nephews Jesse Sullivan and Jacob Akman; Julie Sleeman (John) and nephews Cooper (Victoria Drysdale) and Quinn. Steve was son-in-law to Isabelle Kemp and Deryk Todd and Deryk’s son Ian (Kelly). He was brother-in-law to Chris Kemp (Tracey) and Bill (Brenda) and nephew Graham. He also leaves behind step-brother Eric Silmser (Kathy) and their sons Josh (Caleigh) and Ben, and will be especially missed by his aunt Barbara Wassiljew.
His home was his sanctuary where he fully enjoyed his children’s accomplishments, filled with humour, good food, music, art and his dog Tim. His to-do list was never complete. He loved being busy and celebrating the end of the day with a good meal, his family, and a glass of red wine. His quick wit was remarkable and will be much missed.
An anonymous quote pinned to his bookshelf summed up the way he began and ended his days:
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room in heaven.”
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held later this year.
Donations can be made to Community Living Kingston and will be held in trust in Steve's name for families in need.
