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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 25, 2008 - 3 Parents remember a son who never gave up Continued from page 1 An extensive search operation by the Bracebridge OPP, members of the Muskoka Marine Unit, the Muskoka Lakes fire department and local paramedics yielded nothing until Monday when Steven's lifeless body was pulled from the water. Police said lifejackets were not being used when the accident occurred. The boat's driver Andrew Betteridge, 25, has been charged with impaired operation of a vessel causing death and criminal negligence causing death. Today Steven's family is adjusting to a life without him. "This was a kid who just had a tremendous zest for life," said Barbara Hanson, Steven's aunt. "He was loved by all and he loved everybody. He went to a family wedding and he was out there dancing with the 70-year-old ladies and the three-year-old girls and that's just the way Steven was, very magnetic, everyone was drawn to him. He treated you the same whether you were three or 73. He was just a lovely kid." Barbara also described Steven as the hardest worker she had ever met, noting that when he had a goal he would strive for it until it was realized. Steven's mother Jayne also spoke about this drive. "He kept himself in school and even though he failed and failed and failed, he had this gift within him that made him just keep trying and trying," she said. Funeral Friday at Glen Abbey United Church worked," he said. "But, a large portion of the tears. credit for his successes has to go to his mothFor Scott, it was Steven's personality that er. She spent hundreds and hundreds of made him special, noting that Steven was hours of TLC with this boy. The kid did so one of those people who could not be happy well and he had a great personality and a lot unless those around him were happy. of it has to do with his mother. She was the Scott said Steven had conquered yet best mother in the world another milestone six "He kept himself in school to him." months ago by moving With academics prov- and even though he failed into his own home in ing such an obstacle for and failed and failed, he had Oakville, something he Steven, one would think this gift within him that had was very excited and he would have been jealhappy about. made him just keep trying ous of his two brothers Scott said the outdoors Michael and Scott who, and trying." had been passion of unburdened by learning Steven's and had enjoyed disabilities, excelled at Jayne Hamel many boating trips from Steven's mother school. the family's cottage. This was not the case. "He was doing what he "He was so proud of loved to do," he said. them that they were able to do these things," "Some of our best times together were up said Jayne. north. He just loved boating up there and The feeling was more than mutual. camping and fishing, the bonfires and all "Out of all the people that I've ever sorts of stuff." known, there is nobody who could have Steven's funeral service will take place accomplished what he did," said Michael. Friday, 11 a.m. at Glen Abbey United Church "I personally know I could not have done located at 1469 Nottinghill Gates. what he did and he did it so well and so The visitation will take place tonight from gracefully." 7-9 p.m. and Thursday from 3-5 p.m. and 7Jayne said Michael quietly expressed this 9 p.m. at Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral admiration to Steven in the South Muskoka Home located at 64 Lakeshore Road West. Memorial Hospital where the family had The family asks that in lieu of flowers been invited to view Steven's body. donations be made to Integra, a Toronto"You always looked up to me, but I always based foundation that helps children and looked up to you," he whispered through adolescents who have learning disabilities. Steve Hamel At one point, Steven was actually referred to a school for those with special needs. However, he was not ready to accept that's where he needed to be. "He got on the phone to different schools in Oakville and made arrangements to visit the principals and said, `Please, will you let me into your school,'" said Jayne. "Eventually he was able to graduate high school with what's called a GED (Government Equivalent Diploma)." Steven's father, Mike, noted that seeing his son graduate from high school was his proudest day as a father. "You have no idea how hard this kid If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. KITCHEN RENOVATIONS? 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