Stephen William Zibresky

Stephen William Zibresky passed unexpectedly but peacefully on February 15th, 2026. He was surrounded by the love of his two daughters and multiple caregivers, along with extended family and friends who were of great support to him.

Steve was born in rural Roblin, Manitoba on September 3rd, 1936. He grew up in a sod house on a farm without running water. As a young man he moved to Calgary, was married (Barbara Weiland), and attended SAIT for plumbing. Steve graduated with the highest marks in Alberta. He worked for Trotter and Morton, later completing his gas fitting ticket, and ultimately working as a senior plumbing and gas inspector for the City of Calgary. Steve took his trade very seriously and was among the leaders in the planning department at the City, where he served as a guide and mentor to others.

Able to retire early, Steve’s spare time was enjoyed in his workshop and tinkering with cars and parts. In particular, Oldsmobiles, of which he was a long-standing member of the Oldsmobile Northern Lights Chapter. He gleefully attended car shows locally and in the US. Among many vehicles he owned, his pride and joy was his 1972 Olds Cutlass Supreme convertible 455, which often made appearances at car shows and in the Stampede Parade.

Steve was a natural networker, and formed many lasting bonds within and outside of the car community. He was always happy to connect people together. If he didn't know the right person, he knew a person who knew a person, and made efforts to get you the help you needed or the information you wanted. Steve valued his neighbors and friends alike, and was always eager to lend a hand or give advice. He was a collector of sorts, and often had duplicates of everything, emerging with the asked-for tool, or part in hand, from his basement or garage. He enjoyed good food and good company. He was an excellent cook, graciously opening his home and table to family and friends.

Steve enjoyed various social outings, including bluegrass concerts, football games, gun shows, and community festivals. His interests spanned aviation to fiddling, and he had a genuine interest in the mechanics of everything.

He held a soft spot for all animals, in particular birds. He often photographed various birds on his property, and he had a keen interest in owls. Steve was an avid hunter and skilled marksman. He won a sharpshooter contest, and held a number of other rifle trophies of which he was incredibly proud of.

Steve had a wonderful sense of humor and a natural charm. People would gravitate to him, and he always had a wink and a smile for the ladies. He auctioned himself off for a charity event throwing little teddy bears into the crowd to help raise awareness for his cause. He was a clothes horse and had an eye for fashion, and was always sharply dressed when he wasn’t emerging from underneath a car.

Steve was a wonderful father to his two daughters, Christine and Donna. He always took care of his girls, whether teaching them life skills, helping them with school projects, or simply being there when they needed him most. He enjoyed helping his daughters with their cars, and taking them to the mountains, local waterfalls, and his cabin near Radium Hot Springs. He was a steadfast big brother to his two younger sisters, Shirley King and Stella Symbalisty. He kept close ties with extended family and always made a point of keeping in touch with them.

Steve is now at peace in glory, reunited with his father, Michael, his mother, Anastasia (Nelly), his sister Stella, and other beloved extended family members and friends.

A celebration of life is being planned for September 3rd, 2026 at 11:30am, (which would have been Steve's 90th birthday), at Willow Ridge Community Association. Bring your vintage car for a memorial neighborhood cruise and mini car show for Steve. For those wanting to connect directly with family, contact Christine at zcutlass72@gmail.com

In continuing Steve's legacy and love of nature, the family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, an in-memory donation can be made to Calgary Wildlife, a local organization that treats and rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife before releasing them back into the wild. https://www.calgarywildlife.org/