Stephen Villeneuve

Steve began his career as a firefighter in 1972 with the District of North Vancouver, dedicating 30 years of service before retiring as a respected captain in 2002. A natural leader with a strong sense of duty, he proudly served his fellow firefighters as Vice President and later President of the local union for over a decade. He especially enjoyed attending IAFF conferences, where he had a tradition of exchanging hats with fellow firefighters—each hat representing a story, a friendship, and a shared commitment to the brotherhood of the fire service. By the time he retired, he had collected hundreds of hats from across North America, each one a treasured memory.

Steve was a devoted family man who deeply loved his wife, daughter, son, grandchildren, brother and extended family.  He was always there for them, ready to offer support in any way he could.

Steve was known for his quick wit, big heart, and unconditional generosity. Whether at work, at home, or in the community, he was always ready to lend a hand. He cherished time with his family, found peace out on the water with a fishing rod in hand, and never turned down a good cup of coffee.

Steve’s presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. As he begins his next journey, we like to think he's out on the water once again—this time with his son—casting lines and sharing stories in the quiet comfort of each other’s company with a cup of coffee.