The apple of their father’s eye; Steven Forrest is comfortable in any company. Easy to talk to, they are the spitting image of their father. At 12 years of age they joined the Sea Cadets.
Years ago, The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Program began teaching youth practical skills in seamanship, sailing and navigation.
In addition to physical fitness, important life skills in character building garnered values of integrity for generations of Canadians. One of Steven’s best memories belonging to the Cadets was participating in a sailing course in Kingston, Ontario. When they turned 21, Steven signed up for a Cooks position within Canada’s Armed Forces.
As with any great story; there are setbacks and rewards. Telling the story of their father’s journey through personal loss began with Gordon’s brother passing away from Asthma and his wish of bringing Gordon into the Freemasons and Shriners.
If you don’t know, the two service clubs have a lot in common. Through a mutual love of humanity, their promotion of the public good is most noticeable through charitable initiatives of its members. In groups such as these, becoming better men was undeniable.
As a 43 year employee of Courtalds, Canada, Gordon helped a lot of people in his lifetime. Known for having particular fishing haunts along Island 17, he was also a big Darts player at the Legion.
In life, Steven’s mother Florence was a deep thinker. Her quest for knowledge coupled with a natural ability to see all sides was innate. As someone who enjoyed the company of many friends, Florence instilled the tenets of forgiveness in all of her children. She loved to cook and Cross-country skiing was a hobby. Whether creating her own path, cresting groomed trails or clamoring to warming shelters; she carried a sense wonder in everything.
An instrumental part of Diversity Cornwall since its inception, Steven has served as a board member, a volunteer, a donor, and a performer for many story times and evening events. Most importantly, Steven has been a welcome guest and an incredible example of queer resiliency for 2SLGBTQ+ youth attending events and participating in its programs.
Steven describes the happiest day of their life when Justin Trudeau’s formal apology came through Parliament in 2017.
The following March, Steven traveled to Ottawa to receive The Canada Pride Citation.
Created as ‘an individual reconciliation and recognition measure awarded to class action members of the military who were {Purged} discriminated against due to their sexual orientation or gender identity’ ©Google.
Acknowledging good standing without bias, the honour bar and lapel pin are proudly mounted in a Shadow Box in their home. In their simple straightforward view of life, Steven is proud both parents lived to see it.
In the 4 decades before receiving their acknowledgment, Steven has carried the strength passed down from their entire family for their constant belief that a person is a person is a person.
Though Steven’s hopes of feeding Canada’s military never materialized, they have held the spirit of the Corps in everything always. Should we all be as responsible
After surviving a Stroke two years ago, Steven convalesced at the Glengarry Memorial Hospital in Alexandria. A setback in the means of a mild form of Aphasia, coupled with losing their singing voice, meant that Steven could no longer participate in Drag stage shows. Despite this, being together with everyone either home or away, has been its own reward.
A supportive group of friends being there for each other may indeed be the mark of a good teacher, but in this life the way we tell our stories is what resonates. That is what really matters.
Lisa Gray – 580 words – Copyright © October 2025 – Story for January 2026
We would sincerely like to thank Mr. Thomas Dunne, Elizabeth Quenville of Diversity Cornwall and Miss Denise Walker for their participation
Values of integrity: honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, accountability, respect, fairness, and courage
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