Remembering Joseph Steven Boyer 'Running Wolf'

“Ring the bell that still can ring.

Forget your perfect offering.

There is a crack, a crack in everything.

That’s how the light gets in.” (Leonard Cohen)

Today we ring the bell for Steven Joseph Running Wolf Boyer who was reborn to a new life on May 3, 2025 at the age of 67 after several years with COPD. Throughout it all Steve was a person to be admired; kind, gentle, thoughtful and generous.

Steve was born in Ottawa and was moved directly from the hospital to an orphanage and from there to group homes followed by institutions including jails until his mid forties. Though Steve experienced addiction, trauma, and incarceration throughout his young adulthood, he was never mean, vicious, or violent.

Then the gradual miracle unfolded thanks to two amazing women and Steve’s Christian belief in Jesus and his Indigenous spiritual values. Steve and his partner Kerry Shaw supported each other in Orillia for several years until her death in hospital on Christmas day. After Kerry’s death, Steve and Cheri Lynne Phillips from West Virginia became acquainted and they telephoned each other almost daily. Cheri has been able to come to Canada to visit Steve on occasion and she, her parents and sister have helped fund the US postal service with their comfort packages of food and clothing for Steve. Even after her recent marriage she has kept in supporting contact with Steve.

Grieving for Steve are those who have followed him faithfully through his life, remembering his birthday and Christmas with calls and presents. These include Diane Bloor and Mike Gagne (early life group home) and John Pitre (adolescent group home).

Most important has been the day to day physical and mental support that Steve has received from health care and medical professionals including Sue from the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC) as well Tina and Adam with Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Orillia. This was not just professional help; this was friendship. Steve valued these friendships, and respected and appreciated all those who supported him throughout his life.

So now we ring the bell for this man who has been a model citizen since his mid forties. The light did get in.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral service at this time. Arrangement entrusted to the Carson Funeral Homes L. Doolittle Chapel, 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia (705) 326-3595.