Stephen Gulyas

Brigadier General (Retired) RCAF/CAF

January 25, 1929 - February 23, 2015

Stephen (Steve) Gulyas, BGen. (Ret'd) passed away peacefully in his home in his 86th year, with his beloved wife of 61 years, Jean Mary (neé Rowe), by his side. Steve was the son of Erzsébet Fehér and István József Gulyás, who emigrated from Feldebré�, Hungary, in 1926, to settle in Regina, Saskatchewn, and later, in Winger, Ontario. He was the eldest of five children: Andrew (deceased), Mary (deceased), Robert and Anne. Steve will be proudly remembered by his own children: Stephen and Lee Anne, Paul and Heather, Elizabeth and John; his grandchildren: Jessica, Lauren, Daniel, Stephen, Andrew, John Paul, Christian, Connor, Brenden, Erik and Michael; and, by his numerous nieces and nephews. Steve and Jean's precious daughter, Kathryn Mary, predeceased him on January 21, 2013. As a youngster, Steve attended Port Colburn High School and dreamed of flying. He worked in a local flourmill, using his wages to pay for private flying lessons and earned his pilot's licence at 16 years. In March 1949, Steve joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was assigned to 408 (P) Squadron where he flew specially-equipped Lancaster Mk. X aircraft in Shoran Operations, employing aerial radar to map Canada's north. In 1952, he was posted to the Royal Air Force 540 (PR) Squadron in Wyton, England, where he flew Canberra aircraft. Whilst stationed in Britain, Steve discovered the other great love of his life, when he met his beautiful English rose, his "Jeannie." While on exchange, Steve was also proud to participate in the historic “Operation Pony Express” which marked many firsts: first non-stop transatlantic jet flight, first monarch to be crowned "Queen of Canada," first recording of an important international event for broadcast on CBC television allowing Canadians to witness it on the same day, beating American broadcasters. Steve's career continued at 410 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Uplands, Ottawa, where he flew CF-100 Canuck and CF-101 Voodoo aircraft. He later attended Staff College in Toronto. After a training stint at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, Steve became Commander of 439 Reconnaissance/Attack Squadron, equipped with CF-104 Starfighter aircraft, stationed in Marville, France and Lahr, Germany. He was then posted back to Cold Lake as Commander of 434 Operational Training Squadron running the CF-5 Canadair training unit. Rounding out his exemplary operational experience, Steve was promoted to significant administration jobs as Director of Air Requirements and Director of Air Operations at DND Headquarters in Ottawa. A highlight of his career, Steve returned one more time to Cold Lake as Base Commander, from 1973-1977. He started the Alberta Air Show, educating the general public about the contributions of the military. Steve was promoted to Brigadier General and stationed back to Germany, where he served with distinction at 4th Allied Tactical Air Force Base in Ramstein and Heidelberg. His last posting was in North Bay as Deputy Commander of Fighter Group, assisting in the installation of the CF-18 Hornet aircraft. Steve retired from the military in 1984 but continued to make a contribution for another 17 years, working for Transport Canada and DND as an aviation consultant. In retirement, Steve remained active building three cottages on Paugh Lake near Algonquin Park, employing the free labour of his children and grandchildren. He wisely divided time between splitting stones, chopping firewood and constructing "the most beautiful place in the world," by also presiding over many fun hours of water skiing, cross country skiing and intense ice hockey games on the "big pond." Steve became proficient at downhill skiing, sailing, white water canoeing, and carpentry. He also loved music, obsessing at various times over Verdi, Pavrotti, Cat Stevens and Willie Nelson. In his later years, Steve was treated at Ottawa's excellent Heart Institute and after diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He faced the disease like he faced all of his life challenges: with steely determination and true grit. He was able to remain in his home, enjoying a high quality of life made possible by his wife, assisted by many valued health care workers. Thanks to our Family Doctor, Dr. Nigel Spencer. Thanks to our wonderful community care workers, especially Dannette McLeod, who showed the highest level of compassion and care at Steve's most difficult time. Thanks to our in-home nursing staff, Nancy and Kathleen, who assisted Steve in his final days. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice or to the Parkinson Research Consortium at Ottawa University (http://www.ohri.ca/prc/) would be greatly appreciated. Church service will be held at Christ Church Bell's Corners at 2 pm on Saturday, February 28, 2015.