10/06/2026
We fly our flag half mast for retired fire chief . Rest easy chief stemkoski.
Thomas ‘Stemer’ Stemkoski
May 6th, 1957 – September 29, 2026
Thomas Arthur Stemkoski, was born in Dryden and grew up in Wabigoon, a place that always held a very special part of his heart.
He met and married his beautiful bride, Joey, on September 17, 1977. Together, they built a wonderful life and raised two children, Keri and Thomas.
Tom loved music and was an excellent drummer. Over the years, he played with Davey Lake as well as Ten Bucks on the Road. Many New Year’s Eves were spent at the Dryden Legion, where he enjoyed a great time with friends and family. Those nights at the Legion felt like one big house party and created many memories that will never be forgotten.
Tom was also passionate about hockey and was an avid Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He especially enjoyed watching his grandkids play and cheering them on from the sidelines.
Tom was a Millwright and Pump Shop Supervisor at the Dryden Mill, which operated under a few different names over the years. He proudly dedicated 45 years to the mill and made many very good friends along the way. You know who you are.
After retiring in 2019, Tom returned to his first passion: painting. With no formal training, he picked up a brush and created and sold some absolutely beautiful paintings. He loved showcasing his work and, even more, chatting with anyone who stopped by to admire it. He could spend hours talking about his paintings and sharing stories.
Some of his favourite people with whom to share his love of painting were his grandbabies. He spent many hours with them, teaching them the “secrets” of painting and passing along something he loved so much.
Tom had an amazing recall for anything and everything to do with Wabigoon and his younger years. In many ways, he was an encyclopedia of the history of this area. He remembered it all the people, the places, and the stories, and he loved sharing those memories with anyone who would listen.
But more than anything, Tom’s life was about his family.
He will be sorely missed by his wife of 49 years, Jo-Ann (Joey) Stemkoski, née Chesworth; his daughter, Keri Stemkoski, and her children, Jaden and Reghan Rafter; and his son, Tom (Jaimee), and their children, Kelli and Marli Stemkoski.
He will also be missed by his sister, Patsy Norman, along with numerous extended family members and many dear friends.
The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all the nursing staff at DRHC who provided exceptional care and support to Tom and his family.
Tom leaves behind a lifetime of stories, music, paintings, laughter, and memories. His love for his family was at the centre of everything he did, and his family will carry those memories with them always.
Tom passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026, surrounded by love.
He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
“When my time comes it’ll take me a while to go to the light…going to have to stop a few times, new things to paint along the way”.
Author - Tom A.Stemkoski (Stemer) - March 29,2026
Memorial donations may be made to the Dryden Regional Health Centre - Oncology, P.O. Box 3003, Dryden, ON, P8N 2Z6 or through Aurora Funeral Services, 304 Kennedy Road, Site 202, Comp 39, RR3, Dryden, ON. P8N 3G2
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wabigoon Memorial Hall. Interment will take place at a later date.
** The family would greatly appriciate it if you wore your favorite sports team jersey for the Celebration of Life **
Condolences and memories may be shared at https://aurorafuneralservices.ca/obituaries/thomas-stemkoski
Arrangements entrusted to Aurora Funeral Services, 304 Kennedy Road, Site 202, Comp 39, RR2, Dryden, ON P8N 3G2
