Obituary for Steven Lawrence Parrish
Steve was born on the military base in Marville, France. His family was transferred back to Canada when he was one. Steve spent much of his school years moving around the country with his family. He made many friends along the way and loved sharing stories about how fun it was to grow up on the military base.
Steve settled in Calgary when he was 17 years old. He attended Diefenbaker High School, where he found his band mates, forming the rock band “Action”. Together they toured small towns around Alberta, had way too much fun, and explored the world of becoming rockstars. By the time he was 19, he realised he needed to be educated and wanted a real job. (Sorry, rockstars, just wasn’t in the cards for Steve). He chose a career in Education, received his degree, and within a couple years of substitute teaching, he had himself a tenure position at Vanier Jr. High. Steve’s love for teaching was second to none. He cared deeply for each and every student. He would often share stories around the dinner table of the accomplishments of his students; he was SO proud of his students. He knew school wasn’t easy for all, and he had a special place for those who struggled. His mission was to help them explore writing, and to learn to love it. He loved having the classroom that kids wanted to be in. He took pride in being eccentric and wanted each of his students to know it's ok to be different, to walk to the beat of your own drum, and to celebrate those differences.
Steve met his wife, Gillean, in August 1988. They fell madly in love and married two years later. They went on to enjoy 34 precious and beautiful years together. Steve’s greatest joy was his family. He has 3 beautiful children: Danielle, Chadwick, and Kayla, who are his everything. Steve recently became a Papa! He loved to cuddle, read, and play guitar with his sweet grandson, Lucas (Danielle’s son).
Steve had a fond love of animals and his pets. Through the years, Steve and his family had many cats, amazing dogs, and he even enjoyed the big pet chameleon, just to name a few. Through Gillean and Kayla, he also found a love for horses. Steve was so helpful at the barn, taking care of the horses, and he even became the announcer at the rodeo competitions that Gillean and Kayla would compete in.
Steve’s love for music forever remained a part of his soul. He was never without a guitar in hand; an amazing natural talent that came so easy to him. Steve also had a love and talent for writing. He was dedicated, disciplined, and loyal to his books. He wrote with passion, and the love for a good story. There is no better storyteller than S.Lawrence Parrish. Steve specialized in the horror genre. Early in his writing career, he had a horror short story published in a goth themed magazine. Steven has written 9 novels, all of which he made into audiobooks. His voice will be with us forever. His legacy will live on forever. You can search S. Lawrence Parrish on any podcast app and his audiobooks are available for free to download and listen to.
Steve was semi-retired these last couple of years, and spent his time with his wife hiking, chasing waterfalls, floating down the river, and heading to the mountains every chance they could. He continued to make an impression in the classroom through substitute teaching. Steve’s creative talent didn’t end with writing. Steve decided on a cool hobby, building his own guitars! He ordered kits, set up a great workshop at home (using his old teacher desk), and would spend hours on each guitar. He built 4, all electric guitars, and one sweet junior electric guitar for his grandson.
Though the personal story of Steven Lawrence Parrish has come to an end, he will forever be remembered through his legacy, his family, and his students. We are blessed to have been known and loved by Steve. He has left his artistic touch on the world. We will hold all cherishing every day, and making the most of the life we have to live.
A Celebration of Steven's Life will be held on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 1:00 pm at the Astoria Banquet Hall (2027 Pegasus Road NE, Calgary, AB).
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Steve, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
Steve settled in Calgary when he was 17 years old. He attended Diefenbaker High School, where he found his band mates, forming the rock band “Action”. Together they toured small towns around Alberta, had way too much fun, and explored the world of becoming rockstars. By the time he was 19, he realised he needed to be educated and wanted a real job. (Sorry, rockstars, just wasn’t in the cards for Steve). He chose a career in Education, received his degree, and within a couple years of substitute teaching, he had himself a tenure position at Vanier Jr. High. Steve’s love for teaching was second to none. He cared deeply for each and every student. He would often share stories around the dinner table of the accomplishments of his students; he was SO proud of his students. He knew school wasn’t easy for all, and he had a special place for those who struggled. His mission was to help them explore writing, and to learn to love it. He loved having the classroom that kids wanted to be in. He took pride in being eccentric and wanted each of his students to know it's ok to be different, to walk to the beat of your own drum, and to celebrate those differences.
Steve met his wife, Gillean, in August 1988. They fell madly in love and married two years later. They went on to enjoy 34 precious and beautiful years together. Steve’s greatest joy was his family. He has 3 beautiful children: Danielle, Chadwick, and Kayla, who are his everything. Steve recently became a Papa! He loved to cuddle, read, and play guitar with his sweet grandson, Lucas (Danielle’s son).
Steve had a fond love of animals and his pets. Through the years, Steve and his family had many cats, amazing dogs, and he even enjoyed the big pet chameleon, just to name a few. Through Gillean and Kayla, he also found a love for horses. Steve was so helpful at the barn, taking care of the horses, and he even became the announcer at the rodeo competitions that Gillean and Kayla would compete in.
Steve’s love for music forever remained a part of his soul. He was never without a guitar in hand; an amazing natural talent that came so easy to him. Steve also had a love and talent for writing. He was dedicated, disciplined, and loyal to his books. He wrote with passion, and the love for a good story. There is no better storyteller than S.Lawrence Parrish. Steve specialized in the horror genre. Early in his writing career, he had a horror short story published in a goth themed magazine. Steven has written 9 novels, all of which he made into audiobooks. His voice will be with us forever. His legacy will live on forever. You can search S. Lawrence Parrish on any podcast app and his audiobooks are available for free to download and listen to.
Steve was semi-retired these last couple of years, and spent his time with his wife hiking, chasing waterfalls, floating down the river, and heading to the mountains every chance they could. He continued to make an impression in the classroom through substitute teaching. Steve’s creative talent didn’t end with writing. Steve decided on a cool hobby, building his own guitars! He ordered kits, set up a great workshop at home (using his old teacher desk), and would spend hours on each guitar. He built 4, all electric guitars, and one sweet junior electric guitar for his grandson.
Though the personal story of Steven Lawrence Parrish has come to an end, he will forever be remembered through his legacy, his family, and his students. We are blessed to have been known and loved by Steve. He has left his artistic touch on the world. We will hold all cherishing every day, and making the most of the life we have to live.
A Celebration of Steven's Life will be held on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 1:00 pm at the Astoria Banquet Hall (2027 Pegasus Road NE, Calgary, AB).
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Steve, please visit www.choicememorial.com.