Those who knew Stephen Patrick, remember a highly intelligent man with many interests.

 

They also recall someone who cared deeply about the Haliburton Highlands and its people.

 

On March 13, Stephen passed away at home in Toronto after a lengthy battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a lung disease, at the age of 72. He was surrounded by friends and family.

 

Prior to leaving Haliburton in 2013, Stephen was very much involved in the community. He was the first managing editor of this very paper, and before that, led the editorial team at the now defunct County Voice newspaper.

 

During those years, he was supportive of the local arts scene, serving on the board of the Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre.

 

“He was always a great sounding board for me,” said Laurie Jones, the gallery’s executive director.

 

“He had a very keen intellect and an understanding of people.”

 

Stephen always saw great value in the gallery and the programs it offers. A sugar maple on the property will be dedicated in his memory and they are accepting donations for artistic programming, she said. Donations can also be made to Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre, which is where his daughter, Sarah, is the executive director.

 

“I think it was a wonderful gesture to earmark the contributions toward artistic programming,” said Jones.

 

Andrew Hodgson, a local resident who first met Stephen 33 years ago, very much valued their friendship. 

 

“We had a great time,” said Hodgson, adding the two had many in-depth conversations about current affairs and political issues. They had different viewpoints, but that made it interesting.

 

“He had a real breadth of interest. What I really enjoyed about him was that he’d listen and he’d give his opinion, but he was never arrogant.”

 

Hodgson touched on Stephen’s many accomplishments in the journalism industry and other ventures. His lengthy resume includes positions with CBC, BBC and TVO.

 

In addition to being a writer, journalist and television producer, he was a businessman. In 1989, he and his wife, Holly, opened Patrick Books. They ran the business for three years.

 

Stephen was a “wonderful conversationalist, interested in everything and everyone,” states his memorial card.

 

And Hodgson adds, “He had a real passion for Haliburton County—for all of us.”