Obituary of Edward D. Stephenson P.Eng.

The family of Edward [Ted] Stephenson wishes to announce his passing on January 21 at age 81. He did not leave this life willingly as there was much more yet to do. Ted was born in Saint John, December 15, 1934 the only son of the late Ralph and Frances [Smith] Stephenson. A proud graduate of Saint John High School and the University of New Brunswick in Mechanical Engineering, Ted spent most of his working career with Lantic Sugar and its subsidiary companies retiring in 1993 as Senior Vice-President of Refined Sugars in Yonkers, New York. Ted was appointed Saint John Refinery Manager in 1977. The next 16 years was a whirlwind of experiences – improvements to The Refinery while acquiring and consolidating former competitors, which required relocations to Montreal and then New York. During his many active years, he served his chosen field as President of the Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick, and of the world-wide Sugar Industry Technologists. He was elected to the Westfield Village Council in 1995 and nominated as a Fellow of Engineers Canada in 2008, which he considered the peak his professional career. Twenty-two years of retirement have provided the opportunity to play the grandparent, renovate the residence, travel, and ski. Always active, Ted was a competitive badminton player, an avid golfer, bowler, sailor and – learning at the age of fifty – a fanatical skier. He remained an active member of the Westfield Golf and Country Club, the Maritime Seniors Golf Association, APENB, and the Culture Club. He is dearly missed by his love, best friend and wife, Diane, by his children and stepchildren: Dr. James D. [Jane] Stephenson, Saint John; Brian A. [Adele Wallace] Stephenson, Rothesay; Dr. Linda A. [John Paul] Stephenson-Casey, Grand Bay-Westfield; Susan [Alan] Mills of London, Ontario; Timothy [Cathy] Wainwright of Toronto; and Dr. Ann Wainwright, Toronto. His wisdom and encouragement will be missed by ten wonderful grandchildren: Ben, Maggie, Lauren, Rob, Christy, Charlotte, Katherine, Riley, Jake and Dylan and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by all his four sisters: Janet Marr, Marion Reardon, Dorothy Empey, and Patricia Livingstone. At his request, please join us for a celebration of his life at the Westfield Golf and Country Club from 7-9 PM on Friday, January 29th. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM, Saturday January 30th at Westfield United Church. In lieu of flowers, remembrances made to Symphony NB would be appreciated by the family.