Obituary of Stephen John Ritchie

Stephen John “Casey” Ritchie of Hampton, husband of Mary Jean (Williams) Ritchie, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the Ridgewood Veterans Centre. Born at Moncton, New Brunswick on August 7, 1922, he was a son of the late Stephen John and Caroline (Malenfant) Ritchie. Prior to retiring, Steve was a case worker and supervisor, in Saint John and Sussex, for the New Brunswick Department of Social Services. Steve graduated from St. Vincent’s Boys School in Saint John and went on to St. Francis Xavier University. However he interrupted his university education to join the navy in 1940. He completed his BSW from Dalhousie University in 1984. Steve was a Veteran of World War II, serving as a Signalman with the Royal Canadian Navy. Always active in his community, he was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus in Wilmington, Massachusetts, as well as being a former president of the Kiwanis Club of Saint John. He was also founding member and former president of the Main Brace Naval Association in Saint John and a member of the Hampton Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Steve was a founding member of the Hampton Golf Club, and in his leisure time, he enjoyed gardening, hunting and especially fishing on the Miramichi River. In addition to his wife of 61 years, Steve is survived by his children, Mary Jean Kotler (Moshe) of Atlanta, Georgia, Stephen J. Ritchie Jr (Donna) of Hampton, Therese Ballard (Joe) of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Christina Ritchie of Vancouver, British Columbia and Pamela Ritchie (John Rowcroft) of Whitby, Ontario; grandchildren Tony O’Neil, Michelle Anderson, Sara Ritchie, Stephanie Ballard and Beth Anne Ballard; great grandchildren Grayson, Erik, David, and Devin; and several nieces and nephews. Steve was the last surviving member of his immediate family. In addition to his parents, Steve was predeceased by his brother John J. Ritchie; by sisters Patricia (Haley) Babineau, Michaeline “Mickey” Hagerman, Grace Ross and Ann Marie Ritchie and by his grandson Jesse Ben Askevold. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 7-9 P.M. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 11:00 AM from Brenan’s Chapel. For those who wish, remembrances to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Ridgewood Comfort Fund would be appreciated by the family.