Stephen J. Brackley

January 30, 1958 ~ March 26, 2025

After a valiant fight against cancer, Stephen passed away at his home in Santa Paula, California, with his loving family surrounding him.

He leaves behind his wife Pamela K. Long, C.J., daughter-in-law Lauren, Nick, Angelina and Nicholas LongHammer and grandson Rex.

Stephen is the son of the late Jim and Bess Brackley, of Gravenhurst, beloved brother of Elizabeth Porter (Bryan), Catherine Brackley and Paul Brackley (Norma).

He grew up in Gravenhurst, on Bay Street, and the beauty and opportunities that the Muskoka landscape offered shaped his early life experiences.

He was an adventurer at heart and as a young teenager he was fearless and ready for any challenge.

He loved boating and water sports on the lakes, scuba diving, planning ski trips to Jackson Hole, riding his horse, playing in a band and driving his TR6.

He learned to fly at Muskoka Airport in Gravenhurst and went on and got his seaplane and commercial pilot licenses. Later rebuilding and flying a World War 2 era T6 Texan trainer.

Steve attended Gravenhurst High School (GHS) where, encouraged by a local drama teacher Janice Boyes, he excelled in drama.

And at the age of 18 Stephen moved to New York City to attend the famous American Academy of Dramatic Arts and pursue his dream of acting.

He performed in New York theatre as well as Muskoka summer theatre productions, had roles in primetime television dramas and daytime soap operas and worked as a writer, director, and producer in theatre, television and film.

He met and married Pamela K. Long while working on the set of “Texas.” They lived in Manhattan and Connecticut for a time prior to their move to Los Angeles, California, where they later purchased a working ranch in Santa Paula.

Stephen loved both the freedom and solitude that ranch life brought and was deeply connected to his draft horses and rescued mustangs, especially Kashari.

“Steve” loved his dogs and said it did his soul good to see his giant Alaskan Malamutes bounding across the fields to greet him.

Stephen used his gift of screenwriting and musical composition to inspire and uplift people through his and Pam’s television productions of “Second Noah” and “Twice in a Lifetime.”

He was a talented guitarist and musician who loved to write music and perform and was always ready to sing a song.

Stephen’s most important accomplishment and his enduring legacy was as a dedicated father and grandfather. His family was near and dear to his heart, always his focus and inspiration for being.

Deeply empathetic and kind-hearted, he enjoyed friendships with fellow church members in Ventura and tried to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others.

He was a dreamer, someone with a big heart and a bigger vision. He always saw what was possible and believed for the best in everything and for everyone.

Despite living at a distance, Stephen’s Muskoka roots, early friendships and memories remained close to his heart.

In his last visit home to care for his ailing mother, Bess, he was often seen out on the lake at her little cottage, canoeing on the still autumn water.

After he became ill he said if he could, he’d get on a plane the next day and get up to the cottage. Looking out over the lake was the most peace he’d ever known. He knew his place when he looked over Lake Muskoka.

He was home.

He will be remembered for the beauty of his spirit, the kindness and enduring strength of his character, his sense of humour, the guitars he loved to play, his voice singing hymns, his big heart for people and his ever-present cowboy hat.

He was deeply loved and valued, more than words can express, by his family and all who knew him.

A celebration of Stephen’s life will be held in Ventura, California.