Obituary of Stephen Gordon Caudwell

STEPHEN GORDON CAUDWELL

September 14, 1948 – March 5, 2021

After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Stephen died peacefully at home with his loving wife, Tanya Morrow, by his side. The eldest child of the late Dr. Gordon Grosvenor Caudwell and Mary-Eleanor Caudwell, Stephen was born in Toronto and spent many idyllic summers at Kew Cabin and Tapwe, the family cottages on Ahmic Lake. These special times gave rise to a lifetime of joyful memories, wonderful stories and deep friendships with the many generations of Canadians and Americans who summer there.

As a young student at Huron College at UWO, Stephen honed his entrepreneurial and business skills by being a founding member of the infamous “Spoke and Rim Tavern,” which Western students still enjoy to this day. It was a wonderful introduction and invaluable hands-on experience of how to run a successful business.

In 1978, Stephen founded Wasteco and along with his trusted partner and friend, Carl Lorusso, they grew the 43 year old waste and recycling company into one of the largest privately held waste companies in Ontario with operations from coast-to-coast.

There is no doubt that Stephen was the beating heart of the company, respected and admired for his integrity, honesty in his business dealings, vision, generosity and commitment. He always had an open door policy and genuinely loved spending quality time with his loyal employees talking about all subjects ranging from garbage to sports to organics to a staff member’s wedding or new baby. He always made the time and was happy to do so. Wasteco was Stephen’s family and he would wish for it to retain that feeling going forward. There are many generations of employees who work there, which is a testament to his leadership.

Stephen lived a full life. While his passion for Wasteco was what fueled him, his interests were vast and varied. His love of water and boating was crystal clear. Stephen was a long standing, proud member of The Antique and Classic Boat Society and started collecting and restoring antique boats in his mid-late 30s. Thirty years ago he purchased a 1918 Borneman from his lake neighbour, the late, great Captain of the Leafs, George Armstrong, and fittingly named it “The Chief.” He also enjoyed boating time and celebrations with Tanya, family and friends at The Boulevard Club, Sunset Harbour Yacht Club in Miami, and the Royal Nassau Sailing Club in Bahamas. 

He loved garbage trucks and, according to a childhood classmate, Stephen used to design them in Grade 9. He saw the beauty in these essential vehicles just as he saw beauty in his other love – race cars. He helped support the careers of race car drivers such as Scott Goodyear back in the early 90s and quickly forged lifelong friendships with the drivers, owners and pit crews.  In 2006, Stephen partnered with Derrick Walker Racing and Wayne Deans in a new Junior Formula Atlantic team entry. Stephen loved the idea of developing future racing stars and winning the 2006 Atlantic Championship with Simon Pagenaud at the wheel and the Wasteco logo on the race car was the icing on the cake.

Stephen will be missed dearly by his wife and partner of 10 years, Tanya; his brother, Peter; sister, Sally (Terry McKenna); father and mother-in-law, Richard and Sandra Morrow; sister-in-law, Alana Jickling (John); his nephews, Jordy McKenna (Shannon Eddy), Ted McKenna (Sarah Candler), John McKenna (Sarah Owen), D’Arcy McKenna, Kyle Jickling, Braeden Jickling; and cherished grand-nephews and nieces who will continue to enjoy summers at “Steve’s Beach” on the lake.

He will also be remembered by his dear friend from Huron and in-house legal counsel for 25 years, Arn Reisler (Maria), his many respected colleagues in the industry, his 350+ Wasteco employees, his friends from York Mills Collegiate, Huron, Rosedale Golf Club, Ahmic Lake, The GnG crew, his cherished community of friends at Ocean Club Estates in Nassau, and for the 10 memorable years he proudly served on the Board of Directors for Bahamas Waste (Peter Andrews and Franny de Cardenas).

A special thank you to the wonderful care received from Princess Margaret Hospital – Dr. Frances Shepherd and Mark Vinderine, along with the outstanding nursing care by Roberta, Marcia and Pam. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation, please visit https://supportthepmcf.ca/ui/StephenCaudwell/donations/start. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

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