Stephen "Steve" Aloysius Gyorkos

Stephen Aloysius Gyorkos passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 19th, 2023, at the age of 95 years. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Janice (John) Laing; grandchildren, Stephanie Laing and Jillian Laing; sisters, Matilda (Bob) Cote and Margaret (Joe) Giesinger; sisters-in-law, Priscilla Gyorkos, Adele Pogue and Glenda Pytlarz and many nieces and nephews.  Stephen was predeceased by his wife, Bernice; parents, Stephan and Marija Gyorkos; brothers, Ignatius and Aloysius; sisters, Anne, Rose, Christina, Marie, Elizabeth, and Martha.

Stephen was born on May 30th, 1927, in Maribor, Slovenia and raised in Medicine Hat. He immigrated to Canada at age 2. He completed his high school education at St. Theresa’s Academy and then studied in Edmonton at St. Joseph’s Seminary.

Stephen had many jobs throughout his life - in his early days working at the family business “Gyorkos Cleaners” and ending as a social worker at the Lethbridge Correctional Center.

In high school Stephen played football, hockey, and fast pitch. In his later years he was an avid tennis player and hockey player with the Coaldale Sugar Daddies. 

Stephen and Bernice were married in August of 1971 together building a new house complete with a yard and garden that was the envy of many.  Steve and Bernice’s home was filled with homemade cooking and lots of love.

In 1973, when Janice was born, Stephen’s dream of having a family was fulfilled.  Janice was the light of his life and his caregiver until the end.  He was so proud of her.

In 2001 his life was changed forever with the birth of his beautiful granddaughters.  He was the best grandfather; he was the girls’ biggest fan, their sounding board, and their partner in crime.  From time in the raspberry patch, to playing “stuck in the mud” in the van, to chats about life, the girls spent endless hours with and caring for their grandfather.

Steve and Bernice spent 37 years in Lethbridge, moving to Medicine in 2010 to be closer to Janice & her family.

Over the last five years he was able to remain in his own home with the help of many wonderful caregivers besides his family.   Special thanks to Karen, Pierre, Liz, Lana & Diana from HomeCare and Sylvia, Wilma, Jessica, and Amber from Caring Hearts.  And although his stay was short at Good Samaritans the caregivers on 2 North were wonderful with him making his remaining days enjoyable.

A Celebration of Life will be held in later spring.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stephen "Steve" Aloysius Gyorkos, please visit our floral store.