Sapper Stephan John Stock

Stephan was born in Campbell River BC on the third of June, 1983 and moved with his parents Leona and David to Tsawwassen BC in 1998. He has one brother Bryan. He enjoyed his years at South Delta Secondary School and made numerous friends. He enjoyed sports including hiking, running, boxing, soccer, and lifting weights. He loved the outdoors and keeping fit. He was a fun-loving young man, prone to being with a serious at times and highly valued his relationships with family and friends. He also had a mischievous side and was a constant joker. He played football for SDSS Sun Devils and at his death the team retired his jersey #42. He was a committed team player. The school named a scholarship after him and he is remembered  every Nov 11^th in the school’s assembly. His motto was “If you want to do it, just do it.”

In Grade 12 the Canadian Armed Forces visited the school on career day and that convinced Stephan that he wanted to pursue a military career. He joined the army reserves 744 Communications Squadron. Upon moving to Medicine Hat, he joined the South Alberta Light Horse as an armoured crew person. During his time in the Reserves, he attended Medicine Hat College part-time and obtained a Technologist Degree in Power Engineering.

He joined the regular force in 2005 and after basic training (St. Jean Quebec) was posted to 1 Combat Engineering Regiment in Edmonton. In his first two years with the Regiment, he completed courses in Light Armoured Vehicle Gunner, Communications, and Tactical Combat Casualty Care. He was recognized by his peers as having good leadership skills and confidence. He was a person who was up for any challenge. He was compassionate and thought of others before himself. He also trained as a scuba diver.

He deployed to Afghanistan as part of Task Force 1 – 08 Operation Athena in 2008 and stationed in Kandahar and attached to the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry battle group.

On August 20^th he was killed along with two of his comrades Sgt. Shawn Eades and Cpl. Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden. The three soldiers were killed when a roadside bomb detonated near their armoured vehicle on a notoriously dangerous stretch of highway in southern Afghanistan while on a patrol.

Upon his death Stepan’s family released this statement:

"Stephan was loved by so many people, his circle of friends stretches from coast to coast and his family, both here and in Ireland," his father David, mother Leona and brother Bryan said in a statement.

"Stephan believed in Canada's mission. He died proud and brave doing what he felt was right," they said.

"He wanted his friends to have no fear for him because he had no fear of the mission in Afghanistan. We truly believe that if he came home safe that he would request to return for another tour." 

Stephan was 25 at the time of his death. He was awarded the Sacrifice Medal (posthumously) He is named in the Books of remembrance in the Peace Tower, Ottawa. His name is inscribed on the City of Delta BC Cenotaph (Located in Memorial Park Ladner)