Steve Makins, a much-loved and "larger-than-life" Orillia man, died Saturday after succumbing to injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash Sept. 6 in south-end Barrie.
“My heart is shattered into about a million pieces as I try to process the death," his friend, Vanessa McCarron, wrote on Facebook.
“There isn't a soul who knew him that will not be forever changed, and we will all do our very best to focus on the time we were blessed to have him in our lives and keep looking at the bright side, because that's exactly what he would want us to do,” wrote McCarron.
Makins, 38, was airlifted to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto following last Sunday’s single-vehicle crash that occurred on Yonge Street, north of Mapleview Drive, around 6 p.m
He never regained consciousness and it’s believed he suffered several strokes while in a coma.
“I was at Sunnybrook every other day since the accident, just sitting out front sending every positive vibe that I had in his direction,” McCarron told her Facebook followers.
“This is not how this story was supposed to play out. He was supposed to wake up and see all of our messages, songs and support,” she said.
“Steve loved life and didn't believe in wasting time on negativity. He never did anything halfway. He was kind to everyone, always looked for the silver linings, and radiated positivity even in the worst of times,” McCarron wrote.
“There is nobody like Steve; he was larger than life. Being around him made me feel like I had superpowers,” she said.
Longtime friend Angie Green-Hill shared similar sentiments.
“My heart breaks for everyone who ever had the privilege of knowing Steve, but especially his family and his ‘brothers (from) another mother,'” wrote Hill.
“I cried myself to sleep last night thinking of the amazing impact Steve had on people,” she wrote.
Steve’s sister-in-law, Barbara Makins, had started a GoFundMe campaign last week to raise money for him. He is single and had just recently started his own contracting business; his family and friends were worried how he would cope with not being able to work and how he would be able to pay his bills.
The community responded. Almost $25,000 was raised.
In the wake of his passing, the fundraising has been halted and a decision has been made to refund all those who donated.
However, Barbara has launched a new campaign to help with funeral and other costs.
“It's so overwhelming how many people want to help and be a part of Steven's memory,” Barbara wrote on the new GoFundMe campaign. “With these donations we will purchase his headstone, flowers and, of course, a park bench.
“Any money left over will be donated, in Steven's name, to the good people of Sunnybrook hospital who showed incredible compassion and care that was above and beyond,” she said.
Click here to make a donation to the account.
