Steve Paulowich
Steve Paulowich, age 89, died in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, June 13, 2012. Steve was born in Gimli, Manitoba where his parents and six siblings (four of whom were born in Canada) lived on land granted to his father, William, in 1907. Steve’s life was one of struggle and achievement. His boyhood days were spent in the prairie provinces during the years known as the “dirty thirties”. In 1942 he joined the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) as a boy seaman. He was among those sent to colleges in Ontario and then to the University of Edmonton, Alberta for intensive, accelerated engineering and other courses. He was seldom ashore during the war years. He served on different Canadian naval ships that were part of the joint task forces that kept the seas free. On June 6, 1944 he was serving on HMCS “Caraquet”, the minesweeper leading other Canadian minesweepers helping to clear lanes for landing crafts at Juno beach. Later that day the Canadian minesweepers were sent to clear lanes to the Omaha beach. Then they led the bombarding ships to move in and support the troops trying desperately to gain a beachhead there. A plaque at the Omaha memorial honours all those courageous Canadians for the help they gave the Americans on that historic day. In 1945 he married Marie Johnson, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1947 their son, David, was born. In 1950 a high security clearance from the RCMP enabled Steve to work for three years on a confidential project in Ottawa, Ontario. Until he retired Steve worked at the Naval Research Establishment (NRE) and the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans in Dartmouth, N.S. His primary responsibility at both places was to assist scientists from various disciplines. He designed, developed, and tested electronic, acoustical and other instruments for their use both ashore and at sea. He prepared specifications, recommended, programmed and maintained computers for research and analysis of data. In performing these tasks, he acquired considerable knowledge and expertise. He taught and supervised technicians, university graduates and others wanting to achieve similar expertise. In 1981, the pastoral beauty, friendly people, warm Gulf waters, miles of sandy beaches, and the quieter, slower–paced life style of the Island made it easy for Steve and Marie to decide this was where they wanted to live. They settled into their Island home in June of that year. A decent, reliable, loyal, trustworthy, fiercely independent man, he valued his privacy. He loved to spend time with Marie gardening, photographing wild flowers, bird watching, skating, and cross-country skiing. He treasured the times when David came home to visit them. He preferred spontaneous and informal personal contacts to social gatherings. His wit was quick, sharp and funny. He couldn’t resist teasing and turning on the charm for the women he met frequently or occasionally. He took his vows seriously. He served his country honourably. He loved, protected and provided for his family until he drew his last breath. A special place in the hearts of Marie and David will be there for him always. Memories of the happy hours they shared will sustain them during those lonely times when his absence is hard to accept. His nieces, nephews and friends will mark his passing with sadness, and will remember the generous and warm personality of the man who made them smile.
May he rest in peace.
