In Memory of Steven Mark Barban
It is with profound sadness that the family of Steven Mark Barban share the news of his sudden passing on Wednesday, October 30th at the age of 59. Born on October 31st, 1964, in Sault Ste. Marie, Steve is predeceased by his Italian-Canadian parents Rena and Giorgio, and survived by his wife Krista, children Tyler (Kelley) and Tori; brothers Gastone (Jane) and Dennis (Karen); in-laws Terrence and Kirsten Kavanagh, Trish and JJ Hochrein, Kaleigh Kavanagh and David Rozon; and nieces and nephews Alicia, Kimberly, Ashley, Matthew and Griffin.
A graduate of Carleton University, Steve’s leadership journey began as President of the Carleton University Residence Association. He went on to build a remarkable career as an entrepreneur, establishing Gentry Capital, a leading investment firm in Ottawa, and making his mark as a successful restaurateur and real estate investor with ventures in Ontario, Québec, and TCI.
Steve was a remarkable individual, a soft-spoken gentleman, and an accomplished businessman. Whether leading his team and clients at Gentry Capital with vision and commitment, fulfilling his dream of owning a hockey team and ultimately winning the CCHL Championship with his Navan Grads, or stepping up and giving back as a pillar in his community and beyond, he approached it with immense integrity and dedication. He was fiercely passionate about everything he did and held himself to the highest standards, only ever trying to outdo himself.
Above all, Steve was immeasurably proud of his role as father and husband. To say he lit up at any mention of their accomplishments is an understatement. His competitive spirit was in full throttle every time he hit the track for Point Karting/Montebello Motorsports with his teammate Tyler, while his lighthearted side was evident when he spent cherished time with Tori. He loved passing on his wisdom, leading by example, and watching them thrive.
He reveled in his time spent in the Turks, sand in his toes and a beer in hand with his best friend Krista and his Bob’s Bar crew. On the ice, on the track, abroad, or by the lake, Steve beamed with the pride of knowing he had achieved so many of his goals.
To know Steve was a privilege. He was kind, genuine, and funny. He lived life to the fullest and had so much life left to live, so much happiness yet to experience and much more to add to the legacy he leaves behind.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Monday, November 11th, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Complex, 1250 Trim Road, Orleans, ON. A Funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 12th, at 11 a.m. in the Heritage Funeral Complex Chapel, followed by a reception, and a private interment. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ottawa Hospital Heart Institute Foundation: https://foundation.ottawaheart.ca/give/
Dear Krista and Family,
I was deeply saddened to hear about Steve’s passing. He inspired so many with his enduring kindness and humility despite so many remarkable accomplishments in both his personal and professional life.
I will always remember him as an amazing roomate; he was rarely home and when he was there, he would clean and do dishes.
Sincere condolences to the family.
Rest in peace Steve; until we meet again brother!
I cannot imagine the pain and heartache you’re feeling. I am praying for your peace and comfort.
I was so fortunate to know Steve as a friend, colleague and fellow KBO Study Group member. He always inspired me to set high standards in my professional and personal life, leading with his superb example of seizing every day with zeal and passion. He was a true gentleman. I am the better person for having known him and will miss his generosity, his kind words of encouragement and his wisdom.
KBO Steve.
What a great way to pay tribute to a great man. Everyone would love to have a son like Steve Barban. Everyone would be so lucky to be the one who married Steve Barban. Everyone would benefit if they had a dad like Steve Barban. Everyone who was his friend was lucky to have such a great comrade like Steve Barban. I was one of the lucky ones. Great was and still is a great friend. Always one my mind … always by my side. I will miss you brother. I will miss you.
My heart goes out to you for the loss of a man that we all love and cared for, I know how much he meant to you and the rest of the family. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers may the happy memories you shared give you peace and comfort during this time
Dear Krista,Tyler (Kelley), and Tori and family,
Words can’t express our sorrow. What a wonderful man and father who led a strong family. He set a fantastic example and we will continue to pray for you as you navigate this difficult time. Please reach out if you need anything.
All our love,
Steve and Laurie
We are so saddened by the passing of this incredible man. Our paths crossed with Steve and his family in so many different ways, as Saultites, family friend, parents on the soccer pitch and in the rinks with our kids and then as billet parents for his hockey team. In all those scenarios, Steven was kind, compassionate, caring and fiercely proud of his family. We wish Krista, Tyler and Tori peace and healing. You will be sorely missed good man. Rest peacefully.
Krista, Tyler and Tori,
We will always treasure the time spent with Steve and your family. Some of our best times and memories were during the years we spent hours and hours with you.
Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you ❤️
Krista, Tyler, Tory and family .
My sincere condolences .
First met Steve when he was my sons coach and I the trainer…..
Later was hired on as JrA trainer .
Can’t believe he’s not with us ….
He was a great guy to talk about hockey or whatever was on your mind .
I could say so much more !
My prayers are with you all .
RIP Steve ….
Dear Krista & Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Steve. May you be comforted by all your happy family memories.
Rest in Peace Steve.
TR Barban
My sincere sympathy to Krista and family. Steve was always so easy to speak with about my investments and loved sharing stories of his family and his interests.
He will certainly be missed by many. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family and hope the loving memories they have of him can sustain them during this sad time,
Krista, Tyler and Tori,
Our hearts have completely shattered for you and Steve. He has left such a massive void and we cannot imagine the sorrow you are experiencing. You are in our thoughts every moment of every day.
– Kirsten, Kevin and Braelyn
My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies go out to Krista, Tyler and Tori for their loss.
May your fond memories of him and precious family times together bring you comfort in these difficult times.
Steve was seen as a kind, proud (especially where his family was concerned) and accomplished man who was well respected by those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a good role model for our young boys who were fortunate enough to be coached by him in their early years of Cumberland Minor Hockey.
Steve left a lasting impression and will always be thought of in high regard by parents and players.
Krista, Tyler and Tori,
We are so sorry for your loss. We are very proud to have called Steve a friend. He will be truly missed.
Despite all of his successes and achievements, Steve was very humble and everyone that knew him respected and admired him. Above all Steve was a thoughtful and caring person.
It was a real honour to be a member of the “PuckHogs” along with Steve. Whether on the ice or the golf course, we will ensure his legacy lives on. We will always hold a special place for Steve in our hearts.
We hope the memories and time you shared together as a family will give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Never to be forgotten.
RIP #88
I am proud to call Steve my friend and my hockey teammate .
He was always kind and generous with his time helping Heather and I with our investments and our retirement planning.
Steve was someone I trusted. He cared for people dearly, loved his family, enjoyed a good story and welcomed a good laugh . I will miss him dearly.
Krista, Tyler, Tori and family – please accept my sincere condolences. I pray that you find peace and comfort knowing that you are surrounded by an abundance of love.
RIP Steve.
Krista, Tyler and Tori – we met Steve many moons ago through Gentry; I feel as though he taught me how to “adult” properly—how to set dreams and goals for our family, how to fulfill those dreams, and how to appreciate the time we have been given with our loved ones. Our world was rocked when we heard the news and you all (and Steve) have been in my thoughts every minute since that terrible day. Steve was an amazing, authentic, passionate, intelligent and dedicated human. Most of all, as you will hear from probably everyone, he deeply adored his family. Never did we chat when we didn’t hear all about what was new with the family —- such pride, love and interest in what you were all doing. We feel your pain and know your loss is profound. Beyond profound. And while there is little we can do to ease your pain, know that there is a community of people surrounding you, hoping to hold you up and only too happy to keep Steve’s memory alive with stories and memories of better days as you find your footing again. With our deepest condolences.
Although I only met Steve once, I was able to spend a week of laughter with him and the rest of your beautiful family in Turks, where you all welcomed me with open arms. I can confidently say I have grown so close to Tori over the past couple of years, she is a blessing that whole heartedly reflects her father’s strength, passion, and ambition. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and sorrow your family is going through at this time. I will be forever grateful to you Steve and Krista, for raising a beautiful soul that I am blessed to call a life long friend. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, Krista, Tyler and Tori.
Dear Krista and family,
We are so saddened about Steve’s sudden passing. He was a great friend, customer and above all, a great individual. He will surely be missed. May his soul rests in peace and we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family!
Elie Ghie and family and the crew at Castello’s.!!
I often tell the story about attending an investment forum in Calgary in September, 2012. It was the 3rd and final day of the conference when I asked Steve if we could talk during one of the breaks. He responded “sure. What’s up?” I asked him if he would mind sharing how he went about investing in stocks for his clients. Steve gladly shared his investment theory of Uncommon Sense. We talked for 3 hours that afternoon. Afterward, I went up to my room and wrote everything down so I wouldn’t forget.
Upon returning home, I had many questions which Steve answered promptly. He even gave me a list of his stocks to get started. Finally, I decided to trust his theory and jumped in with both feet. I explained Uncommon Sense developed by my friend and colleague Steve Barban and ‘Everyone’ went ahead. The rest is history. It completely transformed by business.
By being so ready to share, Steve ended up helping hundreds of other people in my business.
I have been retired now for 2 years and my business partner has continued with Uncommon Sense with existing and all new clients. Steve’s legacy lives on. Thank you Steve, for being so selfless! You will be missed.
Dear Krista and family,
Sincerest condolences on the passing of Steve. He was an active corporate member of Camelot, and a significant contributor to our Membership Committee. He was soft spoken but his message was always heard. When Steve spoke, people listened.
Personally, I was just starting to realize that Steve was indeed a very special person and I looked forward to building our friendship, and then everything changed. He will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace Steve,
Ed Simac
I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Steve. I was immediately impressed by this calm but no-nonsense leadership style. This news has left me saddened because the world is left with one less good person.
May his memory be a blessing to all that knew him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
We were saddened to hear of his passing, and are so sorry for your sudden loss. Our deepest condolences to your family.
Dear Krista, Tyler and Tori
Our deepest and most sincere condolences on your loss. Steve was an exceptional and inspirational person. We feel so blessed to have had him as such a dear and special friend and to have shared so many great times together including our Kenyan Safari. You are all in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear this news. Upon arriving at Carleton Steve carried my luggage and he was very welcoming. In those first few minutes. Thank you. Over the next few years there would be great memories of concerts and some good ball hockey games and laughs. I remember the story you told me upon entering the investment industry you had to do 25 cold calls a day. You did it whereas most would not – obviously a reflection of your character. Thanks for the great memories Steve!
Steve was the first person I met at Carleton, helped me with my luggage to my room in residence; very welcoming- thank you Steve. Lots of laughs over the mid to late 1980s. When you entered the investment industry you said you had to do 25 cold calls using the white pages – many people would shy away from that but you did not.. Great as a ball hockey player too. Fond memories, thank you Steve. Condolences to his family.
my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Steve was a gentleman and an inspiration. may he rest in peace.
Dear Krista and Family,
My deepest and most sincere condolences for your loss. Steve was a dear and special cousin and I will treasure the memories of our early years that we that we together. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cousin Valli (Barban) Korab
Dearest Krista, Tyler and Tori
I can only imagine how you all feel; I too have a broken heart and will never forget what a super husband and father Steve was and a true gentleman. Unbelievable as it is, he was taken from us far too soon but will forever be in our hearts. I will truly miss our annual birthday chats which I so looked forward to. May he rest in peace and may God bless and give you strength to get through this difficult time.
My deepest condolences to Steve’s family and to his team at Gentry Capital. Steve was so instrumental to my success at Manulife Bank when he opened up his office to me and allowed me use the office boardroom every Monday from 9 a.m – 12 p.m for meetings with his fellow advisors and clients. This opportunity contributed immensely to my success. Thanks again Steve for your kindness and gentle soul.
It is with heavy hearts that we learned of Steve’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Although we live at a time where cynicism, dishonesty and downright lying too often prevail, Steve stood out as a voice for Good: ethical, authentic, humble and sincere.
It has been a privilege to have known him and be able to call him a friend. He will be deeply missed.
The Brunette family
We didn’t have the privilege of knowing Steve. We are, however, friends of brother Gastone and Jane and we have no doubt the whole Barban family is made up of bright, kind, friendly, interesting, caring people. Our deepest condolences go out to all of you at this difficult time. 💕
Linda and Gary
Dear Krista and family – I am shocked, saddened and so very sorry to hear the news of Steve’s untimely passing. It took only sporadic conference events with the two of you to know that he was a gentle personality that would easily bond in anyone’s presence with a quick smile and congenial conversation. He will be remembered for his many outstanding accomplishments, but mostly for the person that he was. My heart is truly heavy for you. He will always be with you, in your heart, and your shared memories will eventually help you to find comfort and peace. I am sending my sincerest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to you for peace and strength.
Krista, Tyler and Tori
We are so heartbroken to hear of Steve’s passing. He was one of a kind and one of the best! We will miss his genuine smile ever time we met up and together.
May you be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the difficult days ahead!♥️♥️
Krista, Tyler, Tori and the entire Barban family: Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies and condolences. Steve will forever be remembered by all of us as someone who was kind, compassionate, and someone who was loved by many. We will always remember the great times we spent in Europe during the Puckhogs hockey tournaments and the fun we had celebrating Tony’s and Steve’s birthdays together. We cannot imagine what you are going through right now. Such a shock. But we hope you find comfort with each other, as you remember the beautiful memories you shared together. He will forever live in your hearts. He will undoubtedly be your forever guardian angel watching over you. Sending our thoughts and prayers and hugs as you navigate these difficult times.
Very sad to lose such a great person! I was one of his clients but his lost feels like I’ve lost a lifetime friend. I always enjoyed our business discussions not for his knowledge but because it always felt like we were catching up on lost time. My most sincere condolences to family members. Remember the great memories of the time spent with Steve.
So sorry for your loss. I am a client of Steve and sister to Tania. My conversations with Steve were not only professional but he genuinely took interest in how I & family were doing. I am privileged to have known him and such a caring & kind man. My sincere condolences to all the family.
Ciao, sentite e profonde condoglianze da tutti noi, zio Silvano Turchet, cugini Puiatti Giuseppe, Jessica, VitielloAndrea e Serena. Un abbraccio forte a tutti voi.
Dear Steve Barban Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. He was not only an exceptional advisor but also a remarkable person who approached everything with integrity, dedication, and kindness. We are truly grateful for the care and wisdom he shared over the years.
Please know that our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May the memories you hold dear bring you comfort and strength in the days ahead. With heartfelt condolences,
Diane and Richard Grandmaison
Dearest Krista, Tyler, Tori and Steve’s family. We are all devastated by Steve’s sudden passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Sending you love and comfort – from your Seven Stars family in Turks and Caicos
It is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Steve.
We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Krista, Tyler, Tori and all of the immediate and close family of our dear friend Steve.
Steve will certainly be missed as a true friend, coach, mentor and financial adviser.It was certainly a privilege to have known Steve.
Denis Boucher
Carole Fortin
The Fortin-Boucher Boyzs
Dear Krista and family
We are so shocked and our hearts go out to you and your family. Knowing you, your sisters and parents for such a very, very long time, the time spent with you and Steve in Temiscaming and some family gatherings will always be fondly rememberd. Still can’t believe he’s gone!
All our love
Dear Barban Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.
Don & Patsy Lawlor
It is with shock and a heavy heart that we send over our deepest condolences. A life well lived. A life to be proud of. A life taken far, far too soon.
Krista & Family 💔 May the Power of Prayer & the Support from Your Beautiful Family & Friends Carry U through these Darkest Times 😢 Our Deepest Sympathy 🙏
Krista – just after posting our thoughts this complete rainbow appeared over your condo building in Seven Stars. In 20 years we have never seen this happen before.
There truly is a hole in the world today. Steve’s untimely and sudden passing has been a devastating shock for so many and all our hearts break for Krista, Tori, and Tyler especially. For Lynne and myself, Steve is forever remembered as a wonderful friend, a calm inspiration, a comforting mentor, and most importantly one who warmly treated everyone in the same manner as he cherished his own family. Always so proud to share his children’s accomplishments and be the devoted husband, a humble yet successful business man, and a passionate hockey and cart racing enthusiast, Steve’s memory will always be a blessing, a motivator, and a positive influence on all of us who had the distinct pleasure of his valued friendship first and foremost. Rest in peace — you will certainly be missed and fondly remain a beloved friend until we meet again! 🙏💔
To the Barban family:
Steve was an inspiration and kept me motivated to fulfil my dream to play in a symphony orchestra. I will miss him dearly. His upbeat encouraging energy and drive was fantastic. I give my deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and all who had the chance to know such a great man.
Sincerely,
Riccardo Nazario del Castello
To the Barban family, please accept my sincere condolences on Steve’s passing which completely shocked me when I heard.
I know Steve from our Wednesday Camelot Golf foursome where we interacted once a week during the golf season and enjoyed
the sport together . It was a real pleasure getting to know Steve at Camelot.
Rest in peace Steve.
Edward Bucovy
Wally & I only recently met Steve in September of this year, being referred to his company Gentry Capital by friends/clients of Steve’s. We were very impressed with his passion and knowledge in the field of finance, and after two meetings we were onboard with moving our investments to his company. Though we barely knew him, his kind manner and obvious intellect, as well as his great sense of humor, made our decision easy. We extend our condolences to his family and colleagues. He left this world all too soon.
On behalf of the Icehockey team Tennisflyers Winterthur Switzerland, I would like to express our deepest condolences and sadness to the family and friends for the loss of our friend Steve. We will keep Steve and the hockey games in Winterthur during the Heartbreakers’ European Tours in very fond memories and the happy after-game moments we were able to share with Steve. We wish the beloveds lots of strength, we are with you in our thoughts. All the memories of the wonderful moments with Steve on- and off-ice will carry us through the next few days. Rest in peace Steve.
Dear Krista and family,
It is with my deepest condolences that I offer my prayers on the sudden passing of Steve.
The loss of such a special man who was a friend to so many will never be forgotten. He was an amazing mentor at so many levels and I always appreciated his advice at important points in my life. He was a profound influence for my family and played a very important role as a coach for my son. His guidance helped to bring him into his own showing just how special he was. He will be sorely missed and forever in my thoughts.
Rest in peace,
Alf Bungay
My deepest condolences to Steve’s family and the Gentry Capital team.
I am reminded of the days I would visit the Gentry Capital office once a week for Manulife bank , our morning chats about his place in Turks, his wife and his children, to my son playing hockey for the Grads.
The world was a better place with him in it.
This is a tremendous loss to hear about and my very sincere condolences to all of Steve’s family and friends.
I had the pleasure to meet Steve at his Gentry Capital offices when I worked at Manulife and hear all about his love of all things Buffet and his patented Uncommon Sense investment theory and why to invest in brands people are willing to spend a little more on (like Heinz).
He talked about his love of hockey and his team, his Dairy Queens and of course his family and travel and sport and I could not imagine how one person could fit so many amazing things into one life!
His life was undeniably too short, but what a full life he lived.
I’m so sorry to hear of Steve’s sudden passing. He was genuinely the best boss I’ve ever had. I hope the best for his family, and the “second family” he curated with his business.
My deepest condolences. My heart goes out to you for the loss. Steve’s legacy as a kind and inspirational individual will be remembered by many. May he rest in peace.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. He was dedicated and kind and truly a man of integrity. It was a privilege to have known him. My sincerest condolences to his family and close friends. He will truly be missed.
My deepest condolences to all of Steve’s friends and family.. I haven’t seen Steve since University, but it still was a shock of sadness to learn of his passing. He is one of the very few people that everyone I know remembers fondly. Rest in Peace Steve. Best wishes to the family.
Dear Krista and family. We were both saddened and shocked to learn of Steve’s passing. I have many fond memories as colleagues spanning over three decades and a few investment dealers. Whether collaborating on strategic initiatives, sharing lunch to catch up on news or enjoying his company at the many events we attended together, I will miss his smile and positive input. Steven was an intelligent and caring individual who will be missed by all who had the wonderful opportunity to know him. He had the inner drive and passion to find success where others foundered and to build a great life full of wonderful opportunities for himself and his family. His achievements were remarkable. Audrey and I wish you peace and comfort at this most difficult time. We know that all the positive and happy memories you shared with Steven will keep him alive within you, Tyler and Tori forever…until such time you meet up again. In the meantime, it said the departed loved ones are only a room away, albeit unseen to us, but nonetheless there. While our distance from Canada prevents us from attending Steven’s service in person, know that our thoughts are with you. Sincerely, Michael Prittie
I was shocked and saddened by the terrible news this week. My two trips to Europe with the Puckhogs were both the highlights of my hockey life. A huge thank you to Steve (and Brian) for all their efforts in organizing these trips – they were 10 on 10’s. My heart goes out to Steve’s family, his business associates and his close friends. I witnessed the closeness of the core Puckhogs, rarely have I seen a closer group. My sincere condolences guys. No combination of words are adequate to describe the loss of a pillar like Steve to those close to him or to the entire community.
Steve was one of the 1st guys I met at Carleton. We hit it off immediately because we both loved hockey. This was the early 80’s so Steve from the Soo,and I was from Kitchener lead to some interesting stories at The Oasis.
I can admit it now that my parents are gone but I used to sell my coupons for pizza to Steve.for cash.
Irish money laundering.
Still
Can’t say who won or lost that one.
My first year, we did so much together and it is a time I cherish to this day. 24 guys from all over. We excelled in sports, we had some brilliant minds but we all got along. Steve was the glue. He could mock and be mocked.
When it came to academics, Steve was a little more disciplined than us Arts guys, but he’d have a beer when he was ready.
I haven’t seen Krista. Tyler or Tori in 20 years. I know how much Steve’s family meant to him. I also can tell you that Steve’s brother Dennis was there to visit regularly as well.
Steve Barban was a part of a group of friends that has taken some knocks lately .I know he would want all of us to carry on. His competitive spirit shall live on and I know their is one less cherry picker from the Soo.
I love you Steve, and I will miss you. My condolences to Krista, Tyler and Tori.
I offer my deepest condolences to Krista and all her family and friends. May my thoughts and prayers accompany you during these difficult times and relieve your pain..J’offre mes plus sincères condoléances à Krista ainsi qu’à tous les membres de sa famille et amis. Que mes pensées et prières vous accompagnent durant ces moments difficiles et qu’elles soulagent votre peine.
Our deepest condolences to the whole family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Steve will be deeply missed.
John, Christine and Dominique.
My wife Kathie and I were shocked to hear of Steve’s sudden passing. We have known Steve as clients for close to 20 years. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the Gentry team. He will be missed
Krista, Tyler, Tori and family;
Our most sincere condolences for your loss. It was an honour to have Steve as a friend and teammate since we met at Carleton university in 1983. We shared so many wonderful memories over the years, including university, hockey, and travel. He was universally loved and admired by all those that had the privilege of spending time with him and we will miss him deeply. We hope you will cherish your own memories of Steve as a loving husband and father to help you through this period.
Dear Krista, Tyler and Tori,
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Steve. He was such a bright light. In life, we get to meet a few special individuals- not because of what they achieved, or how successful they were or how intelligent they are. Steve was all that, but much more; he was a humble and gracious person, always willing to share his talents with everyone. He would reach out if anyone was in need and provided me with some of the best advice when I needed it. He is the example that we should all strive to follow in our careers, our friendships, and especially with our families. We are all truly blessed to have known him.
Krista, Maria and I truly enjoyed seeing you and Steve in Italy this year. It was a special time and a wonderful trip. We will remember always how happy Steve was on this trip. We hope and pray that the cherished memories that you have of Steve will always extinguish the sadness that you feel. May God always bless you and your family. Love, Saverio and Maria
Although I have never met Steve in person, this man left a profound impact in my life by the genuine care he demonstrated for his clients. We communicated by email only…however this man was exemplary by the warm replies he would send with a genuine concern for the financial services he provided. I felt safe, cared for, looked after by Steve. I am profoundly saddened by his unexpected departure. My sincerest condolences goes out to his wife and children which he warmly mentioned respectfully in our online interactions ! The love for his family was so evident. Steve SO deserves to rest in peace. Krista, Tyler and Tori…you had the most amazing privilege of having Steve as your life partner and/or Dad. Please remember and continue your Husband’s/Dad’s legacy in even the smallest of actions…he will look over you and be proud of you…ALWAYS! What a hero, a legend, a wonderful human being I am grateful to have crossed paths with. He will always be remembered for all the good he spread around him. Sending you 3, and other family members and close friends, strength and courage and much love! ❤️ May the beautiful memories of him keep his light shining. Another star 💫 brightens the sky just for you and especially for you! Chantal (Léger)
Dear Krista, Tyler, Tori and family:
Our deepest sympathies re the loss of Steve. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
It was an honor and privilege to get to know Steve through my years at Manulife Securities. His commitment to his clients and his business was second to none and he was always forthcoming with ways to improve the experience for both. His years as Chair of the Advisory Council were meaningful and brought many ideas and improvements to the forefront.
Most of all, his love for his family is what I remember most. When we were alone and having private conversations, he couldn’t stop talking about you and how much he loved you and how proud he was of you.
May Steve rest in peace. God Bless!
Dear Krista, Tyler, Tori and family:
Our deepest sympathies and condolences for the loss of Steve. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
It was an honor and privilege to get to know Steve through my years at Manulife Securities. His commitment to his clients and his business was second to none and he was always forthcoming with ways to improve the experience for both. His years as Chair of the Advisory Council were meaningful and brought many ideas and improvements to the forefront.
Most of all, his love for his family is what I remember most. When we were alone and having private conversations, he couldn’t stop talking about you and how much he loved you and how proud he was of you.
May Steve rest in peace. God Bless!
Our sympathies to the Barban family and Steve’s colleagues at Gentry Capital. As longtime clients of Steve, we know how important he was too many people. Not only will we miss him for his professional advice, but also for his general philosophy and opinions on a wide range of topics, and generally positive outlook on life!
Dear Barban Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. He was not only our financial advisor but he became a friend; a remarkable individual who made a lasting impression with his intelligence, humility, and unwavering honesty. His unique personality and warm presence were qualities that set him apart.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have known him and shared such meaningful conversations about investments, travel, his Italian heritage and life in general. Steve’s insights and kindness enriched our lives in ways that words cannot fully express. He will be missed dearly.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With deepest sympathy,
Silvia and Rob Lamoureux🙏
Dear Gastone and Jane.
Our deepest condolences for your great loss of Steven. So young and special individual. He will be dearly missed,
Lyne and Gregory Mavin
Our deepest sympathies to Steve’s family. We are terribly saddened by the loss of such a nice man. Over the years that we have known Steve, our conversations always started with an update on our respective families. His interest and concern for others, and his love and pride in his own family, always shone through. Rest in peace our friend.
On behalf of Ashbury College, our sincere sympathies are with the Barban family this during this difficult time. Steve’s strength and kindness will always be remembered and we are thinking of you all, Krista, Tyler and Tori, and family, as you mourn the loss of your loving husband and father.
Our sincere condolences,
Norman Southward (Head of Ashbury College) and Anna Rumin
When I think of Uncommon sense, I think of someone who is extraordinary, and when I think of someone extraordinary, I think of my friend Steve. Gone too soon my friend; see you on the other side. I share the loss with his family and friends. With sympathies….
Johanne and I remain shocked and saddened by this terrible and sudden loss. Our thoughts have revolved around the unimaginable grief and confusion that Krista and everyone in Steve’s family must be feeling. We know there are no words to console or actions to remediate but the memories of 2 near perfect experiences of Europe and Hockey will stay with us forever. It’s comforting to think that the love and support from friendships created by a life truly well lived will remain as a legacy of real impact on Steve’s family as they move forward, and live on for adventure and camaraderie the way Steve has always done. We’ll continue to be thankful to have known him as we reflect on the truly important things that lie ahead, friendship and shared experiences.
Steve was my Res Fellow, teammate and most of all my friend. I watched from a distance as he grabbed life and did so much with it. I was happy to reconnect with him a few years ago and was delighted that he was as friendly and insightful as ever. One of my regrets going forward is that I didn’t do more to stay in touch. To Steve’s family, I’m so sorry for your tremendous loss. Krista there are no words to express how badly I feel for you. Please know that you are in my prayers.
Dear Krista, Tyler, Tori and family:
My deepest and most sincere condolences for your loss..
I had the opportunity to join Steve during the Heartbreakers 2011 tour as well as meet on occasion over the years. He was a class act on and off the ice.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
RIP Steve
Krista and Family, I’m so sorry for your loss.
A twinkle in his eyes, a mischievous grin, and the inner wheels steadily turning to the benefit of his clients – that’s how I will remember Steve. My family and I were so fortunate to be in his financial care. He was the best.
Deep condolences from Julia Cronin and the Carbone Family
Steve was a wonderful guy. He had so much success in his personal life, business and mostly as a family man and great friend to many.
Sincere condolences to the Family
R.I.P.
Sending warm heartfelt condolences to all from me and Angie. May your memories bring you peace, comfort and strength when you need it the most.
Dear Krista, Tyler and Tori,
Please accept my deepest condolences. Steve was always incredibly talented, intelligent, accomplished, and charismatic. Admired and respected by all. This was further showcased having just seen Steve so happy and relaxed at a conference in Italy, surrounded by his industry peers, enjoying his time with Krista, and sharing his passionate knowledge and wisdom with his colleagues – it is a reminder of how truly missed he will be.
Steve had so many attributes to admire including his wit, wisdom, work ethic, and how well as a parent, he and Krista raised their cherished children into young successful adults. He was always a gentleman, always helping others and the world is not as bright without Steve in it.
Everyone that had the pleasure to interact with Steve, liked him, because he always came from a place of authenticity and genuine connection. His large orbit of family, friends, colleagues, and his clients are testaments to how special Steve truly was.
He will truly be missed, and never forgotten.
May God bless you Steve — and your family.
To Tyler and family,
We offer you our most sincere condolences for the sudden passing of your dad. We wish you courage and peace in your heart during this difficult times.
Thinking of you !
The Fréchette family
Krista, Tori, Tyler and all your family
Jodi and I are so deeply sorry for your loss. You are in our loving thoughts always. He was my Best Man in more than one way, a treasured friend who I will miss terribly.
Steve, so thankful I could get there yesterday to say farewell on your final journey. I was once told that people don’t die, they just slip into the arms of time. Through the tears, I’ll take that.
So, see you again when the time comes and I get there brother.
Krista, Tyler & Tori. Agathe and I are so saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers have been with you. Illness has prevented me from reaching out earlier. I’d like you to know what a profound impact Steve had on my life over the many years we worked together. Now that we are in a retirement home looking back on life I realize there are really only ever one or two people you will meet in your life that will actually change you as a person and change the course of the rest of your life. For me, Steve was such a person. The universe brought Steve and I together way back in 1994. I was an unhappy middle aged corporate guy and Steve was a young Division Manager at Investors Group. An unlikely pairing. But that good fortune meeting meant I was to embark on what would be a new thirty year career in the best industry in the world with a world class leader who would over the years become one of my closest and most respected friends. I loved Steve and will miss him for the rest of my days.
Krista and family,
We are so sorry we weren’t able to attend the service for Steve. As we sit here viewing the video, it is obvious that Steve was a kind and generous, deeply motivated and loyal person. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, and wish you peace at this time.
With much love,
Nancy Alexander and Linda Loria
Krista, Tyler, Tori and family
My deepest sympathies. Steve was a remarkable person, genuine, kind and loved his family and friends. I met Steve through Arly and the PuckHogs, will always cherish wonderful memories of our hockey trip to Europe and how much fun it was to be with the group. Each one of them enjoyed their time together playing hockey, poker, golf and so much more. Now there will always be a sadness and a missing member they all admired.
May you all find the strength and comfort within you to live in peace and love knowing that Steve will always be present in your lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
RIP Steve
Dear Krista, Tyler and Tori,
My wife Suzanne and I (Roger) just returned from the Turks & Caicos and where absolutely shocked to learn of Steve’s passing, at such a young age.
We have been his clients for the last 10 years. He is all and more than what was shared in the Obituary. He was in the top 1% of people who we have met in our life.
We developed a wonderful relationship and he was always there for us with words of wisdom.
He loved the three of you most and we feel we know you. We know he is in Heaven and that comforts us. We pray for you, as you mourn the loss
of Steve, (husband and father). The mourning process is long and difficult.
If you are spiritual, you know our creator will be there all the time and eventually you will return to the reality of what you can do, using Steve’s legacy as your guide.
It would give us great pleasure to meet any one of you to share our story with Steve and to comfort you.
Cell 613-266-3557. If not, we will pray regularly for comfort for you.
Blessings,
Roger and Suzanne
I find myself at a loss for words after hearing this terrible news. I only met Steve three summers ago at the go kart races, but from the jump he was a stand up man who was nothing but good to me. My father and I would find ourselves seeking out Steve and Tyler at the tracks on race weekends. Partially to talk ‘strategy’ and how we could help one another go faster, but more so just to talk about life. He always had words of encouragement for me and my dad, and I will never forget that. On behalf of the Rogers family, we would like to send our deepest condolences to Tyler and the rest of the Barban family. Steve was a great man, and we are honoured to have known him!
Absolutely shocking news!
Condolences to Steve’s family and friends.
I was introduced to Steve by his brother Dennis back in the late 80’s.
His advise regarding investments was always top notch! We both own the same year of Pontiac and had common interests.
He was excited to get into car racing just a couple of years ago and would often talk about his movie star daughter and family.
This is a tough one to get my head around. Gonna miss you Steve
I cannot image how your family is coping. Thing of them at this sad time
Oh my goodness, I am just hearing this news now. Steve helped me through so many difficult patches in my life – always with calm, humour and great practical advice. I am truly saddened and will miss Steve immeasurably. Condolences to the family and all who knew this kind gentleman.
We were so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. He has been our investment counselor for over 20 years, and we were delighted with his service and attentiveness. We were especially grateful for his emails when times were tough, explaining that the market would right itself in time, and he was always right. We will miss him and are grateful for having known him..
I just learned about Steve’s passing today when I received a letter from Manulife. I am shocked and saddened, and so very sorry for your loss. Steve has been my financial planner for about 30 years. Whenever we met, I felt like I was talking to an old friend. It wasn’t just business. Just a few months ago we were reminiscing about how it felt like we’ve known each other “forever” and how young we were when we met. This past summer, I had some difficult and emotional financial decisions to make. I called his office to book an appointment, but he was fully booked for the next two weeks. When he found out about my situation, he cleared his calendar and had me in the next day. That’s just the kind of man he was. He took the time. He truly cared about his clients. I left that day feeling like all the weight that had been on my shoulders were lifted – all because of Steve. To the entire family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a wonderful human being in every sense of the word, and he will be missed by many.
I have tried countless times to articulate my feelings, but nothing seems to truly convey the essence of what Steve meant to me, and how profoundly devastated I am by his tragic loss. Steve was a person you would meet once and instantly like, and each subsequent encounter only deepened that initial connection. He led by encouragement, shared his wisdom generously, and always found a way to make time for others.
It’s incredibly difficult to accept that he won’t be walking through the front door of the office again, and that I won’t be able to pick his brain while he’s making his morning coffee in his Navan Grads or I ♥️ NY coffee mug.
True mentors are rare, and Steve was one of those exceptional individuals who left an indelible mark on our lives. I take solace in having known Steve, rather than never crossing his path, as I have witnessed his “magic” through many eyes over the last two decades, including my own.
I miss my “Uncle Steve.” Though not related by blood, the family business he curated and the friendship we developed led him to coin this name for himself with me.
To his family, I am truly sorry for your loss. He loved, adored, and revered each of you. From the supposedly (according to each of you) ghastly dated photos he openly displayed in his office, to his pride regarding each of your successes, it’s beyond clear that he adored you all.
We join you in collectively feeling the deep pain of his loss forever.
Feeling heartbroken that I must now turn this pain into motivation, I also recognize that this is yet another privilege of having known Steve—something that cannot often be said for most.
Alas, Steve was one of a kind.
Until next time, Steve. And thank you.