CHCH News remembers Randy Steele

HAMILTON – (CNS) A Hamilton newsman and personality died early Friday (May 22), following a long battle with throat cancer.

Randy Steele was 47 years old.

He joined CHCH Television in 1995, bringing what colleagues said was a unique perspective of his hometown.

"If he was talking to people, he was putting a face on Hamilton. If it was news, he was covering things that were going wrong," said CHCH executive producer, John McKenna. "Like (the city) bought Zambonis that didn’t fit into arenas. Or he covered streetsweepers that the city didn’t need . . . He was one of our best and strongest reporters."

But McKenna said Steele had enjoyed a varied professional life before becoming a journalist at age 35.

"He’d lived before that," McKenna said. "He ran a moving company, he’d done other fun jobs, working for bands and whatnot."

Steele is survived by his wife and four daughters.

Statement by News Director Mike Katrycz:

Randy Steele was a rare reporter who enjoyed working on investigative stories at City Hall just as much as he did crafting fun and insightful stories about the characters of Hamilton in his popular Steelestown series. Randy was indeed a people person, down to earth, inquisitive and caring. He had great heart and loved his community, his family and his friends.

We often called him "the mayor of Steelestown" which was not only a tribute to his unique series but also to the enormous pride he had in his home town.

We at CHCH News miss him greatly.

Obituary

STEELE, Randy (1961-2009) — Randy found grace on May 22, after a long and difficult journey with cancer, and having spent his last weeks completely surrounded by a circle of love.

He was the beloved soulmate of Maggie; adoring father of Shannon, Carly, Keltie and little Randi; dear son of Lois and the late Bob Steele of Hamilton; son-in-law of Jane and Don Woods of Burlington; loving brother of Karen (Pete) and brother-in-law of Carol (Tom), Maureen (John), Susan (Andrew); and special uncle of Chase, Brandon, Carson, Mackenzie, Jennifer, David and Juliette.

As a journalist and a photographer, Randy shared the stories of this community with integrity and honesty, and reminded us that “if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

It is difficult to even begin to thank the people who have walked with us on our journey. You have all meant so much to us and each of you has, in countless ways, helped to ease the path that we traveled together over the past eight years. We are so grateful.

A celebration of life will be held Centenary United Church, at the corner of MacNab and Main, on Saturday, June 6 at 2 p.m. A private get-together for family and friends will follow.

No flowers please. Instead, we ask that you remember Randy through random acts of kindness, which would reflect the love that has been shared with his family and have a ripple effect to others in need. Friends have also set up a fund to help Maggie with the education and support of the children, and contributions would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made at the celebration of Randy’s life or may be sent to the family in care of Heritage Realty Inc., 256 Locke St. S., Hamilton, L8P 4B9. (Please make cheques payable to Maggie Steele.)

While his work, music and photography were each a very important part of his essence, above all, Randy was a beautiful and loving husband and father. Randy, you have worked so desperately to stay with us. We set you free, knowing that heaven awaits you.

Let me leave no grave to weep over.

The thought of that dark imprisonment of earth

Brings sorrow to my heart and a chill to my very soul.

Let me blow free in ashes, unfettered by the bonds of earth,

Warmed in the sun, soothed by the gentle rains.

Let me dance to the music of the wind.