Lidkea, Steven
Lidkea, Steven
March 7, 1955 – January 28, 2026Steven Lidkea was born on March 7, 1955, in North Bay, ON. He spent his first five years on a 100-acre farm outside of Powassan. In January 1961, his family moved to a 200-acre dairy farm outside of Dundalk.
From a young age, Steve’s greatest passion was reading books, in which he would get lost for hours. At the age of 6 he was reading and spelling at a Grade 8 level. Throughout his life, he enjoyed quiet moments with an imagination-stimulating book.
Always active, he enjoyed participating in wrestling and track and field at Grey Highlands Secondary School in Flesherton. He provincially medaled in three sports: wrestling, cycling, and track and field. In the summers of 1971 and 1972 (at ages 16 and 17), he solo hitch-hiked from Dundalk to BC and back. The freedom of adventure, seeing novel places, and meeting new people inspired him.
From 1978 through 1982, he was a Marine Engineer (also known as a stoker) with the Royal Canadian Navy stationed out of Halifax, serving on HMCS Preserver and HMCS Protecteur. There, he made some life-long friends and was considered an older brother by some of his shipmates. Life in the navy allowed him to travel extensively on both sides of the Atlantic. A highlight from his time in the navy involved descending from a helicopter onto the deck of a Norwegian chemical tanker, MV Essi Silje, to assist during a fire-induced rescue and salvage operation.
After the Navy, Steve attended Devry College in Toronto, where he completed a three-year diploma in Electronics Technology in two years. This took him to Paramax Electronics Inc. in Montreal, where he was a Technical Assistant and Purchaser for the building of Canadian Patrol Frigates between 1985 and 1989.
In August 1990, Steve and his parents, Jack and Betty, travelled to Australia for four weeks. While there, they travelled to Alice Springs, Hamilton Beach, Great Barrier Reef, and Magnetic Island, plus other exotic destinations. Steve fondly recalled his hike up Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) as physically, emotionally, and spiritually challenging. On their way home, they spent a week in Hawaii.
While working as a bicycle courier in Toronto from 1997 through 1999, he participated in the “Critical Mass Documentary Film of Toronto Bike Messengers”. He voiced, “I even look forward to ride in the morning. And then I have fun during the day. Then I have the fun ride home at the end of the night. And they pay me for it!” Steve managed to find the silver lining in many things because cycling in the rain and snow wasn’t always pleasurable.
After leaving Toronto, he took up residence in Markdale, where he spent four years as a school bus driver, plus working for Aero Industries and the Markdale Pharmacy. As part of the Owen Sound Cycling Club, he loved spending his free time riding with other enthusiasts. He wrote for the Outspoken (the official newsletter of the Owen Sound Cycling Club) as his alter ego, Ned Sprockethead (“the foul mouthed, take no prisoners, car bashing demon” (August 2000)).
In autumn 2004, he chose to relocate to Guelph. This was a fortuitous decision as he met Roxana at the Guelph Farmer’s Market. On December 6, 2008, Roxana asked Steve if he was finished with his market shopping and had time for a beverage. Steve accepted her invitation and they enjoyed many adventures over the next seventeen years.
In February of 2013, they ventured to Mexico. On this trip, Steve decided to learn Náhuatl, the ancient language of the Toltecs. At Tula, Steve proposed to Roxana. On September 28, 2013, Steve and Roxana were married at St. Brigid’s Villa, Ignatius Jesuit Centre, just north of Guelph. Steve voiced that this was one of his happiest memories.
Exploration of the indigenous language, culture, and ancient healing techniques of the Nahua people led both Roxana and Steve back to Mexico in January and February 2014. Steve loved this ancient language so much that he achieved proficiency in Náhuatl, in order to open the directions for many ceremonies.
In July 2024, Steve was awarded a scholarship to the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar at St. Olaf College in Northfield MN. Another road trip unfolded allowing Steve to learn more about vintage and rare book collecting and selling with other literary enthusiasts.
Over the years, Steve and Roxana created an oasis of edible, medicinal, herbal, and ecosystem-supportive plants on their city property. They both rejoiced in sharing time with nature.
Steve always had a smile on his face as he greeted friends. He was a “mild mannered, exceedingly polite, soft spoken, all round good guy” (Outspoken, August 2000). He will be remembered for “the best hugs to heal any heart” and for his wonderful sense of humour.
Steve spent his final four months at home lovingly cared for by his wife, Roxana, with the support of friends and family. His last months were introspective, calm, and dignified. His strength, courage, and honour were displayed as any discomfort was managed with clear, kind, and open communication, smudging, breathing techniques, and energy clearing. Steve also exhibited an acceptance and surrender to the natural flow of life as he acknowledged that his nine lives had been well used. On January 28, 2026, he peacefully took his last breath to join the “bicycle ride in the sky” with his “courier bag of books slung over his shoulder”.
Steve… may your journey Home be smooth, sweet, and supportive. Your human existence has been filled with reading, traveling, collecting, cycling, running, wrestling, swimming, hiking, camping, gardening, hugging, and tending our piece of the world. A life well lived…
Celebrations of Steve’s life will be held in both Markdale and Guelph in the spring of 2026. Details will be provided closer to the dates. In Steve’s name, donations to your local public library (e.g., Owen Sound, Markdale, Guelph), animal rescue organization (e.g., Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (see Turtle Taxi)), or land conservation and restoration group (e.g., Ignatius Jesuit Centre) will be appreciated.
With love and gratitude from those of us still in human form.
