STEVENSON, Benjamin Lee Wilder Stevenson

It is with profound sadness we share that Ben Stevenson passed away at the age of 44, in his home in Toronto with his beloved dog Deeohgee. A beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend.

Ben is loved and survived by his parents, Bill and Angie Stevenson, his sisters, Jennifer and Brandi Stevenson, and his nephews and niece.

Benjamin Lee Wilder Stevenson had an active and adventurous childhood in Northern Ontario (Blind River and Elliot Lake) where he excelled at hockey and bowling and enjoyed soccer, and downhill skiing. He was an avid video gamer, a true Vancouver Canucks fan, a lover of all things Sci Fi, and the most serious Star Wars devotee.

In his adult years, Ben was an adventurous roamer who travelled and lived in various cities across Canada, calling Ottawa, Vancouver, and Toronto home. Ben was loved and cared for by his chosen family over many years and in various places – Jo, Kairo, JP, Littlefoot, and Nik (predeceased) among many others.

Ben will be remembered and cherished for his sense of humour, his sense of adventure, his outspoken politics, his strength and resilience in the face of struggles, and his gentle spirit.

Ben’s wishes are to remind us all of the Jedi code, which is “There is no death, there is The Force” and to take comfort in words from Yoda “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into The Force”.

Ben’s surname at birth was Big Old Man. He is held in the hearts of his relations of Siksika Nation, of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) Confederacy on Treaty 7 Territory.

For those who would like to honour Ben’s life with an impactful gesture, a suggested organization is Na-Me-Res, an Outreach organization for Indigenous men in Toronto that supported Ben in his more recent years.

However, Ben’s suggestion would be for loved ones to raise a glass in a toast while quoting lines from a theme song of one of his favourite movies… “If life seems jolly rotten, there’s something you’ve forgotten, and that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing…and always look on the bright side of life. For life is quite absurd, and death’s the final word” (Monty Python’s Life of Brian)

Love you forever little Bro. May your soul rest easy XO