This memorial website is being created in memory of my dearly loved husband and my children's wonderful father. We are so incredibly shocked and saddened by his passing so suddenly and we thank everyone for their incredible love and support during this time.
We would like to use this website as a way to collect everyone's memories of Steve for us to hold on to. While we appreciate everyone's condolences, please don't use this site for that purpose.
I am hoping everyone will share their thoughts on why they loved Steve so much, stories about all the funny, kind and wonderful things he did for those around him, photos and videos if you have them.
One day I hope we can look back with smiles instead of tears and we could use all of your help to do so.
At this time, we are planning a private ceremony for immediate family only. At some point in the future we may try to organize a memorial service to include everyone who knew and loved Steve.
Love Carolyn, Meghan and Cole
Tributes
Leave a tributeIm still not strong enough not to tear up when I think of him
He was too good a man to have left us so soon
Rany Attalla
"Dear Barb and Ted
"Last night at 3am I found myself scrolling through the testimorials to Steve on the website Carolyn created and I was profoundly affected. All his memorials attested to his love of family, his compassion for others and his joyful sense of humor. These wonderful memories gladened my heart.
"Steve chose to squeeze every drop of living from his abbreviated decades. He did not skim the surface ofl life, he dove in with every intention to extract joy.
"What better testimonial to you as parents who permitted, and indeed fostered this attitude. You gave him the freedom to be himself and aided him whenever necessary: freedom and support. What better building blocks to a successful life."
Thank you Paula.
Ted H.
So many memories, smiles and laughs. We cherish every one.
Steve, Nicole, Ryan & Erin
I will remember Steve’s talent for elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary. A casual conversation, a car ride, playing with toys, even a trip to Costco were transformed from the banal to the surreal. His comical teasing voices, iconic Cheshire Cat grin, and childlike personas "You said doodie!" always left me in giggles (my cheeks are sore from smiling as I write this). His inane pleasure at driving his navy blue Jetta in super low gear at high RPM, leaving nothing but jerking passengers in a fit of giggles, is still vivid. And as if exclusively cooking a turkey in the turkey deep fryer was not adventurous enough, in went dill pickles and red liquorice too. I recall one potato gun experiment by the mad scientist Steve and the Ronchka bro-conspirators leading to lobster shells flying over Halls Lake. A trip to Costco resulted in some in-store creative play with mini red Babybel cheese rounds – forever changing my perception of this product. Truly, doses of joy whenever Steve was around.
Apart from the incessant fits of laughter, I am grateful for how Steve made me feel. His innocence, compassion and natural empathy balanced all shameless shenanigans. In a moment of silly stress, I once burst into tears in his presence. He quickly responded with genuine concern and kindness. Same response when nervously trying jet skiing for the first time and sailing too. His respect for and his ability to value the needs of others was a true gift. Lovely to read that others have received this gift too. Thank you, Steve.
And to Carolyn, if there is one inspiration that perhaps comes close to capturing all that is Steve’s spirit may it be the song you both chose for your wedding: Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World Medley by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Playful, joyful, and steeped in love. The reverence and adoration you shared for one another will ensure that Steve’s enduring spirit will continue and will be celebrated. Sending to you, Meghan, Cole, and to all who loved Steve, a hug for now and always.
Steve always had such a wonderful way with the kids. Whenever they came over, he picked up my son and tickled him. He was always up for a good old fashioned sword fight or tag. He made us laugh all the time and was just an amazing person to be around.
I remember one time, Steve was living in Sarnia and I was there for a few days for work. I didn't know Steve really well at the time, but when he heard that I was going to be in Sarnia he insisted that I come out for dinner with him and some friends. I thought it was really nice of him to make the offer and I took him up on it. We had a great evening, I got to meet his friends in Sarnia and there were tons of laughs. I could tell that Steve really liked Sarnia, as later after dinner, he took me on a driving tour of all the nice homes in Sarnia and showed me all the great spots! It made those few days of working there very memorable and fun for me!
Another fun memory was when Steve and I drove to Montreal together. Carolyn was living there and we were going to visit her. Steve offered to drive and I was all about a road trip. I don't know if Steve knew what he was in for though...I think I talked his head off for literally 6 hours, ensuring that there was no silence in the car the whole way. I don't think he spoke to me for the rest of that weekend!
I got to know Steve a lot better from then on; with so many fun times together and so many laughs - from weddings to parties, cottage trips, camping to our trip to Portugal together; Steve was always up for anything, anytime anywhere!
Dorland Rd was a special place, and a special time. Playing together in our yards, games on the street and around the neighbourhood. I remember games of hide-and-seek, Coleco Vision, Big Wheels and then bikes.
When the Hungates made the move north of the QEW, I remember riding my bike up to see Steve, riding together through trails and creeks. I think of great times like our trip to Cedar Point. I will remember all of these things, and most of all that Steve was funny and kind--attributes that would have made him a fantastic husband and father.
He was a considerate person who emphasized the importance developing as a professional as well as spending time with family. Looking back, I have a career now thanks to him!
Thank you for everything Steve!
Leave a Tribute
Good-looking Steve
I always knew Steve Hungate as ‘good-looking Steve’. This is because that’s how he introduced himself at “Birthday Steve’s” party (to this day, I'm not sure who the other Steve was). It was at the Academy of Spherical Arts, and even from that first meeting I could tell he was a good bloke, lots of fun, with a pretty much constant mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Steve loved a laugh, and he absolutely adored his wife and children. He always seemed to be grinning and dancing around the edge of ‘naughty’ with one eye on the crowd, to make sure the audience was laughing, and one eye on Carolyn, just to make sure he wasn’t totally overstepping the boundary of good taste.
He had such a love of life, was a real family man, and was one of those people who made everyone feel comfortable and welcome. It was impossible not to see that underneath that cool, jokester exterior was a huge warm heart of gold.
When I think of ‘good-looking Steve’, I think of his deep-fried-anything party, that I missed anyway, having cycled from the east-side of TO to get to the High Park house 30 minutes too late.
He and Carolyn were also super generous, and hosted a fun New Years party where they also welcomed my sister and nephew who had flown up from the US. The game of ‘rude-charades’ was classic Steve, giggling at the naughtiness, while his lovely wife looked on, as we were probably more immature than the kids playing hide & seek upstairs.
I’m definitely a better person for having friends like ‘good-looking Steve’ and the lovely Carolyn. The world needs more people like this.
hurt me hot
This story has a special lesson for Cole at the end.
For whatever reason, Steve was a bit of a masochist when it came to his food. He would complain ad naseum about issues with his innards - and then proceed to put some of the nastiest stuff he could find into his mouth. Sometimes I wondered if he did this just so he could complain and gross people out later... about the issues with his innards.
Anyway, at one of our first pub nights at the Bomber in Waterloo, we had ordered some hot chicken wings and finished them in short order. Steve called the waiter over and said, "So those wings were okay. But I wouldn't call them "hot" wings. Can you make some that are really hot?". The waiter asked, "How hot? Like do you want me to hurt you?" Steve got very excited. He said, "Yeah! Hurt me!" From then on, when Steve ordered wings he'd ignore the flavours on the menu and tell the waiter he wanted them to be "hurt me hot".
Steve learned a lesson that night that I'll pass on to Cole. When you're older and you're out eating hurt me hot wings and you go to the washroom - make sure you wash your hands well BEFORE you go to the bathroom. Your mom can explain.
"It was just a sapling"
It was the summer of 1B. Steve invited me to Oakville for the weekend and we drove up there in whatever preceded his Jetta. When we got to his house, we had some other errand to run. Steve asked his mom if we could take the Infinite - and she agreed to his request. Steve was pumped. His whole body language changed. Before even seeing the car, I could tell he thought it was hot stuff. Making him hot stuff by extension.
We did whatever we had to do and were headed back to his place. We were in the left turn lane at a huge intersection and when the light turned green, Steve gave 'er big time. It was fun. For about 3 seconds. That's when the back end of the car kicked out and we started fish tailing. Still kinda fun at this point. Then Steve over corrected and we hopped over the curb and mowed down a tree. In the coming months, I would listen to Steve tell this story over and over again. This was another of his endearing traits. Steve would retell a story until he broke it. When he'd tell this story, he'd talk about running over a tiny sapling. Well, I'll have you know, it was a massive tree. Saplings aren't 12 feet tall. He hit the thing dead on and we landed back in the street.
We pulled into the first parking lot we could find to collect ourselves. I actually thought we were going to out of this adventure unscathed. But - one of the tires had blown out a side wall. The kind of flat that can't be fixed. And there had been a plastic cover on the front license plate that had been cracked by the tree.
The rest of the story is boring and was never retold. (Steve's dad was pretty angry - but he hid it well.) But what I've written above was exciting. Steve lived for stories like that. Ones he could retell in all his glory - making people cringe and laugh at the same time.
That was the first of many where Steve took an ordinary situation and amped it up to a great time. (Note, I have PG'd this version of the story - for the sake of the children.)