Obituary
Steven Alexander Corfe, Ph.D.
It is with immense love and heavy hearts that we announce the death of Steven Alexander Corfe, who passed away peacefully at Kensington Hospice in Toronto surrounded by his wife Johanna and his close family and friends.
He was loved and will be forever missed by his wife, Johanna O’Brien, and his beloved son, Owen Jagger Corfe who was the light of his world, his mother, Maria Corfe, his father Richard Corfe (Kelly) and his sister Kareen (Bryan). He was a devoted uncle to Maya, Emalee, Sarah, Colton, Ronan, and Sydney. He will be dearly missed by James and Susan, Matthew and Kimberley, Andrew and Vanessa, his O’Brien family.
Steve was born in Paisley Scotland and emigrated to Canada in 1978. His formative years took him from Barrie to Cornwall, before finally settling in Niagara. As a lifelong learner, Steve pursued his love of science through education and research. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Brock University, followed by a Ph.D. in Immunology at the University of Toronto. Throughout his studies and career, he was consistently involved in hospital settings, drawn to the field of cancer research. After completing his Ph.D., Steve began his career with UHN, where he continued to thrive professionally, most recently as the Director of Research Facilities Department, a role he absolutely loved - for the work, and mostly the people.
Steve’s many passions include reading, music, travel, sports and a never-ending curiosity for the people and world around him. Sports were foundational to Steve, from his years as point guard for the dominant Kurt Rambis TRSL basketball team and growing up playing hockey and basketball, and then passing along his love for sports to Owen.
He cherished the camaraderie of friends during golf trips, March Madness adventures, and most of all, camping with Owen and friends. Some of his favourite memories were made with family relaxing at Geneva Park, at Richard and Kelly’s, Kareen and Bryan’s cottage and the Tausy family cottages.
Visitation will take place at Cardinal Funeral Homes Bathurst on Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 1 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Owen’s Educational Trust Fund (More information and link to come at later date), the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, where the nursing, doctor and medical staff took excellent care of him, or to Steve’s other favourite charity, the Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer.
Visitation
Date
July 17, 2025
July 17, 2025
Location
Cardinal Funeral Homes - Bathurst
Cardinal Funeral Homes - Bathurst
Time
04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Date
July 19, 2025
July 19, 2025
Location
Cardinal Funeral Homes - Bathurst
Cardinal Funeral Homes - Bathurst
Time
01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Service
Cremation
Date
July 16, 2025
July 16, 2025
Location
Evergreen Crematorium
Evergreen Crematorium
Time
July 22, 2025
I'm so very sorry to hear of Steve's passing. I hope the family finds comfort in their beloved memories of him during this difficult time. I had the pleasure of working with Steve when he was the PM for the Arthritis floor of the Krembil Research Tower. Steve was a smart and kind person who will be dearly missed.
July 21, 2025
My heartfelt condolences, Johanna and Owen. I am deeply sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
July 20, 2025
Been thinking of you guys all day. . . ❤️
July 19, 2025
I am deeply saddened to hear about Steven's passing. My heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
I worked with Steven at UHN, and have always said that he's the best I've ever worked with. Incredibly helpful, kind and just a wonderful colleague. Thank you and rest in peace Steven.
July 18, 2025
Sending heartfelt condolences to the Corfe family for your loss of your dearest Steven.
I had the good fortune of spending time with Steven volunteering for Sustainable Labs Canada. Steven will be missed by so many of us who were lucky to have worked with him.
Steven seemed ever hopeful and faced the adversity with grace and a big smile. Perhaps it was the scientist in him or his wonderful family he talked about often that brought him comfort and hope. His positivity will remain a treasured memory for all.
July 16, 2025
I met Steven though his work at UHN, and enjoyed working with him. Steven and I bonded over our love of basketball, and we thoroughly enjoyed watching the Raptors play Wemby's first game in Toronto and watching the Vince Carter jersey retirement ceremony. We also bonded over both our kids playing soccer. I will miss working with him and his passion for what he did at work.
My deepest condolences to his family.
July 16, 2025
Please accept our deepest condolences. Mark and I send our love to Johanna, Owen, Steve's parents, sister, and the whole family. Steve was a dear friend and we marked many happy events together (weddings, PhD graduations, birthdays). Those memories will stay with us forever.
July 16, 2025
Toutes nos pensées vous accompagnent en ces moments douloureux
Sincères condoléances à vous et à vos proches
July 16, 2025
We are very sorry to hear of Steven's passing. He was a very knowledgeable colleague who worked closely with our GTA-wide research institutes as a close team, especially during the pandemic. Wishing the family our deepest sympathies and warm wishes from the Sunnybrook Research Institute.
July 16, 2025
Our hearts ache of the terrible news, and thoughts are with you Johanna and Owen. The picture is fitting, as it brings back our memory of Steven's glow and happiness he brought to all those he interacted with. As devastating this news is, I know his legacy of humour, love, and warmth created everlasting postive memories and lessons learned to carry forward in your lives.
July 16, 2025
Sending you my deepest condolences, Johanna and Owen. You're in my thoughts.
July 16, 2025
Steven demonstrated such courage and character in facing something so heart-wrenching and difficult. Sending thoughts and prayers to his family. Life is so precious and there is never enough time.
July 16, 2025
"I and my team at the Toronto Metropolitan University was so saddened to hear of Dr. Corfe's passing. He was a wonderful colleague, he helped me so much to guide or Research Operations through pandemic and I will miss his positivity and creativity. Please accept my sincere sympathy and deepest condolences.
July 16, 2025
My deepest condolences, Johanna. My heart goes out to you and your family, and I hope you are surrounded by love and support during this difficult time.
July 16, 2025
I'm so very sorry for your loss, Johanna. Know that you are your family are in my thoughts.
July 16, 2025
Dear Jo and Owen,
We just learned this terrible news and are so very heartbroken for you both.
We’ll always remember summer 2024 with Steve’s warm smile, kind words and constant encouragement of Owen. He was such a lovely person and we hope all of your fond memories help to ease your sadness.
July 16, 2025
Johanna, My sincerest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. I'm thinking about you and sending my love and thoughts to you.
July 15, 2025
Please accept my deepest condolences to you over the loss of Steve. I offer you my heartfelt support and friendship in this difficult time.
July 15, 2025
I express my deepest sympathy in this time of grief. The Bible gives a comforting hope that your loved one will soon come to live again on a beautiful paradise earth when death will be no more in John 5:28,29.
July 15, 2025
We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Steve. Our sincere and heartfelt prayers to the Corfe family during this difficult time. May your happy memories of his time on earth give you peace, comfort, and strength until the time beyond.
July 15, 2025
Dick & family
Lise & I send our deepest condolences on your loss of Steven . It is so sad to see a person of such accomplishment pass away so young . Our thoughts and prayers are with you and his young family during this very difficult time .
July 15, 2025
Johanna, sincere condolences to you, Owen and your family on the loss of your beloved husband Steven. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
July 15, 2025
Our thoughts and prayers are with you while you navigate through this unimaginable time in your life. We are here for you and thinking of you always.
July 15, 2025
My deepest condolences. I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Steven’s passing. I had the privilege of knowing and working with Steven on and off over many years. I don’t think I ever saw him without a smile on his face, that’s how I will always remember him. His warmth and positivity left a lasting impression on everyone around him. Wishing you strength and comfort during this difficult time.
- John Moniakis
July 15, 2025
Johanna, we are thinking about and praying for you and Owen as you've been going through such difficult times. Our sincere condolences.
July 15, 2025
Dear Johanna & Owen,
We are sincerely sorry for your loss. Please know you are & have been in our thoughts & prayers these last many months…Love George & Linda Bonn
July 15, 2025
Sorry to hear this! Far too young. Steve and I went to NDSS, together. We weren't close, but he was a lovely guy. Sending condolences from myself and our classmates.
July 15, 2025
On behalf of the Eddie family, condolences to the Corfe family in the loss of your significant loved one.
