Tweddle, Stephen

TWEDDLE, Stephen - ST. CROIX - Stephen Tweddle, beloved husband of Michele Belanger, died Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, on St. Croix, his home of 12 years. Born July 21, 1949, to John and Florence Tweddle of Toronto, Canada, Steve was a little boy full of spunk, spirit and unstoppable determination. What seemed a certain liability of character in his youth transformed into an invaluable asset in his adulthood and led him to accomplish great things. Steve began his career in Sudbury at Journal Printing where he met his wife Michele. He became a tradesman, foreman, consultant and successful businessman. He absorbed knowledge, loved history, cherished nature and helped others. He took his children back- country camping, splitting summers between the family cottage and exploring the wilderness of Killarney. He devoted countless hours to his favorite sport, hockey, coaching his son Ken from the time he was a toddler wearing strap-on skate blades until he was a fierce six-foot tall defenseman. One Halloween his daughter Kathy did not want to dress up, because her candy had been stolen the previous year. Moping in the kitchen, she heard chains dragging across the floor. Steve was dressed as a monster. She went out that year dressed as a princess in a white gown dragging an Ogre on a chain. The neighbors stopped them to take pictures, and when he lunged at them people squealed with joy. Thirty years ago his wife Michele was truly blessed when she met Steve. Honest, strong and gentle, he became a friend, lover and soul mate. He is now also her Guardian Angel. Steve was preceded in death by his parents. In addition to his wife Michele and children Ken and Kathy (Smyth), he is survived by son-in-law Dale Smyth; daughter-in-law Tanya Hawley; grandchildren Alexandria McQueen and Trevor, Ryan and Kristin Smyth; sister Joyce Clark; brother John Tweddle; sisters- in-law Nancy Tweddle, Francine Jakab and Pauline Patterson; brothers-in-law Bud Clark, J-P Belanger and Joe Jakab; mother- and father-in-law Marcel and Colette Belanger; nieces Cheryl and Linda Clark; nephews Doug Clark (wife Teresa Nickum), Shawn and Jason Tweddle, Steven and Adam Jakab; great nieces Ashley and Megan Rezka, Samantha Solsky, Clara Lesky and Tori Clark; great nephews Jordan Rezka and Keith Leska; surrogate son Kevin Sloan and godchildren Shyaira Gomez and Jayla John. He is also mourned by close friends too numerous to mention in Canada, St. Croix and the many places he traveled around the world. A memorial celebration of his life will be held this Sunday, Oct. 4, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Off The Wall, Cane Bay, his favorite beach bar. His ashes will be returned to his loving family in Canada and scattered near his beloved family cottage.