Steve Shortreed (1952-2015)

ST has recently devoted an unfortunately significant amount of space to the deaths of major sign-industry contributors. In recent months, we’ve published tributes honoring former Young Electric Sign Co. and Intl. Sign Assn. (ISA) executive and ISA board member Kirk Brimley, ISA tradeshow coordinator Brian McNamara and “Original Letterhead” Mike Rielley.
Now, we have the sad duty of marking another passage. Steve Shortreed passed away on January 30 at age 62 after several years of profound health issues. He opened his signshop, The SignMan, with his wife, Barb, in Fergus, ON, Canada in 1975, and, most significantly, also founded www.letterville.com, a website devoted the Letterheads, a loose affiliation of signmakers that strive to preserve the traditional art of signpainting. The Shortreeds served as catalysts for Letterhead meets which gathered sign artisans from the world over to preserve their craft as “brothers and sisters of the brush”, and their site provided a welcoming forum for those looking for pointers to improve their skills or insights about materials and equipment.
I didn’t know Steve that well. I’ve attended a few Letterhead meets over the years, and spoken with him briefly there. However, I understood ego played no role in his efforts. His deep devotion to his craft and his fellow practitioners was always evident. We’ll present a more detailed memorial in the March issue’s Editorially Speaking section. For now, here are a few heartfelt thoughts about Steve’s legacy posted on the Letterville site:

“Steve was passionate about this business and the people who plied this trade. I remember back when he discussed the concept of a Letterhead Meet that never ends with me at Doug Downey’s Stratford [Letterhead] meet. Although I knew nothing about the Internet, or chatrooms, or much involving electronic communications, it was clear that Steve had a vision of what could be, and how he intended to bring the Letterheads together in a virtual meet. This is his legacy, and it’s one where many have directly or indirectly benefitted.”
– Ken Henry, Henry and Henry Signs (London, ON, Canada)
“He will always be remembered for bringing the Brothers and Sisters of the craft together. Without Steve, Barb and this site, we all would not be the people we are today. Thank you and rest in peace, our friend.”
– Tom Durham, Type Styles Custom Signs (Herrmann, MO)
“Each time I walk through our studio I am reminded of Steve. He was unforgettable. Steve and Barb visited us a number of times and, like everywhere he went, it seems he left his mark both in our shops and in our hearts.”
– Dan Sawatzky, Imagination Corp. (Yarrow, BC, Canada)