Obituary of Stephen Alva Milner
Stephen Alva Milner
Stephen Alva Milner, 69, of Charlie Lake, British Columbia, passed away on Oct 6th, 2025, in Charlie Lake, BC, Canada.
Stephen was born in Whakatane, New Zealand, on November 18, 1955, to Geoffrey Alva and Marion Elizabeth Milner.
He worked as a Class 1-4-5 Driver for Macro Industries and others for over 50 years.
But Steve had driven everything from Tow Trucks to limousines, too, dump trucks, and low beds.
He enjoyed photography, music and golf.
He was proud to donate his photography to charity fundraisers for the children's hospital and the hospital here in Fort St John whenever he was able, and was always willing to lend a hand when he noticed someone needed
Anyone who knew Steve knew that, other than family, he had three things in life that stood out above all else
He loved to drive, pretty much anything with wheels, and the more the better.
For fifty years, Steve had driven everything from Tow Trucks to limousines, to dump trucks, and low beds,
and he loved listening to his music while he drove down the highway. Music was an important part of who he was,
and was intertwined with everything we did
During his last few years with Macro, he was a happy guy. He loved his job and the people that came with it.
I will always be grateful to Buck and the boys for that. But more than anything else, he loved photography, especially
black-and-white photography. Better yet, taking a black-and-white photo of someone on a stage, making music,
and he was brilliant at it. But then I have to admit that I’m a little biased.
The first time colour film was ever dropped into Steve's camera was when we came north and witnessed the beauty of the Northern Lights.
Steve and I had an unbreakable bond when it came to our photography. Every time we went out to do our thing, it was just like date night again, and that never went away. It was fun and unpredictable, and we were shamelessly each other’s biggest fans.
That’s how we met 30 years ago, and somehow, it never lost its magic.
Steve and I had reached that wonderful part of life, where having a home, a close family, and our dogs were all we really needed.
Well… Steve might argue that the hole-in-one he sank during his last golf season was definitely the icing on the cake. I guess I have to make a list of the four things he really loved to do.
But all in all, Steve had a pretty happy life going on… We had a happy life.
Steve was the kind of guy who could make you laugh even if you were mad at him. In his mind, everything was always going to work out. It was that positive nature that first attracted me to him. He could always make me smile, laugh even, right in the middle of catching hell.
I was more of a pragmatist, but when we came together, things usually worked out. Just about right.
Until it didn't
I will miss my amazing man, my guy, my Love, my partner, for the rest of my life.
I’ll love you forever, Babe Happy Birthday, 11/18
I’ll see you up there in the lights xx
Steve is survived by
His wife, Sandra Milner of Charlie Lake, BC, Canada.
His brother - Jeffry Milner, and His sister - Linda Noiles,
His nephews - Nicholas Noiles, and Matthew Noiles & his wife Kirstin
His nephew - Mark Ells & his wife Heather
His niece - Stephanie Chappell & her husband Kelly
His uncle - Doug Milner, and His aunt - Linda Milner
His cousin - Darren Milner & his wife, Spring Milner, His niece - Myha Milner
He is preceded by
His father, Geoffrey Alva Milner, his mother, Marion Elizabeth Milner,
His sister, Gail Ellis.
But Steve’s heart was wide enough to hold both the family he was born into and the family he chose along the way.
He loved his roots in Nova Scotia and wished he could have returned to reconnect with loved ones. I know he wanted to connect with his aunts and uncles back home. He was very touched that they reached out to him during all of this. Thank you so much for your help.
Still, he was deeply grateful for the time he was able to share with his sister Linda, who came out from Nova Scotia to see him and his brother Jeff, who lives here in FSJ.
My family, who all loved Steve so very much and were 100% there to support both of us, without fail. My sister Sara and my son Justin, Carly and Shawn, you helped me stay strong on days I had to for Steve and were there to catch me when I just needed to cry.
To Steve, family included lifelong friends like Vern Yastremski and his boys Carl and Jeff. John and Barb Fisher and their son Cole—people who shared decades of memories, laughter, and… I’m just going to call it “Good Trouble,” with a big wink.
Their loyalty, their calls, and their unwavering support during his time have meant more to both Steve and me than words can express.
Both Carl and Cole were Steve's Godsons. He took great pride in that, and he was so proud of the boys.
Our friends from both coasts and here in Fort St. John surrounded us with kindness throughout Steve’s journey.
Our good friends Andrea and Craig Brooks, Brian and Cindy Kirschner, our Lido family, Buck and Kirby, and the guys and gals at Macro, and we can’t forget all the 18-wheelers boys who were out there on the road with him over the last 20 years, showed us what true community looks like.
Every message, every phone call, every thought sent our way made a difference. Even those whose names I haven’t mentioned, please know that they will always be held in my heart, because they were held in Steve’s.
Steve’s circle of good friends was huge; it's hard to imagine the number of lives he touched, it stretched from Coast to Coast. I can’t believe the number of people who have reached out to me. But that was Steve.
and given the time of year and the cost, we are not expecting our friends to travel.
I know Steve would feel the same. When I have a date for his celebration of life, I will share it along with options for those who wish to join by Zoom or to send a message or a story or you can leave your thoughts here on this site.
Wherever you are, if you knew Steve, please take a moment to remember him in your own way.
Thank you, from my heart, for being part of the wild, excellent adventure that was Steve Milner’s life.
You all helped make his life the rich and unforgettable journey it was.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Macro Industries FSJ for all their help through a difficult time.
What a fantastic work family to have in your corner.
My appreciation to all of you is forever.
Memorial donations may be made to Cancer research society, click here, or you could plant a tree in his name.
