July 28, 1988 - February 18, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Damon Larry Steinke on February 18, 2024 at age 35. Damon was born in Smithers, BC on July 28, 1988 to parents Eileen Steinke (née Rhodes) and Larry Steinke. He was the youngest of three, with two older sisters, Rosanne and Nadina.
Growing up Damon's interests included soccer, hockey, snowboarding, motocross, and martial arts like taekwondo and muay thai. This developed into a passion for mixed martial arts which eventually spurred a trip to Thailand to train in a muay thai academy in Chiang Mai.
Damon graduated from Smithers Secondary School in 2006 and immediately entered the workforce. Over the years he worked in various capacities including stints in his father's logging business, as a CN Train Conductor and Track Inspector, apprentice plumber under his cousin Steve, owner of a roofing business and eventually he settled into a mining career in northern BC.
He was a Heavy Equipment Operator at Huckleberry Mine, and worked his way up in the Warehouses at Brucejack Mine and Red Chris Mine, holding the position of Senior Warehouse Journeyperson at his passing.
Damon also enjoyed investing in real estate and from a young age owned a variety of rental properties in Smithers. He lived in the Bulkley Valley for the first 32 years of his life.
Damon met his wife, Becca Steinke (née Chettleborough) in late 2020. They spent their first year together in Mackenzie, BC and then Fort St. John, BC. In March 2022, the couple moved into their dream property in Alder Flats, AB. They flourished there along with their dogs Brick and Oakland, and got married on their farm on September 2, 2023.
During these years, Damon became interested in all aspects of running a farm. He spent much of his time learning about his interests and completing projects around the property. Damon especially loved his tractor and any type of work that required the use of it.
Damon is survived by his spouse, Becca Steinke of Alder Flats, AB, his parents Larry and Eileen Steinke of Telkwa, BC, his sister Rosanne (Craig) Steinke and his niece Ria of Courtenay, BC, his sister Nadina (Tyrone) Anderson, his niece Taylor and his nephew Drew of Smithers, BC, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
He is predeceased by his grandparents Norma and Ken Steinke, and Monica and Jim Rhodes, his uncles Dale Davies, Darrel Steinke and Gary Kendall, and his cousin Derek Hawkins.
We will love and miss you forever.
There will be a Celebration of Damon's life in summer 2024 in Telkwa, BC.