Timothy Peter Gordon Stephens

Stephens, Timothy (Tim) Peter Gordon of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and England, passed away at home on February 15th, 2016 after a lengthy and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Born in Weymouth, England, he was the son of Major John and Joan (Randall) Stephens, England, who both predeceased him.

Tim’s early life was spent in Cairo, Egypt, as his father was stationed with the Royal Tank Regiment. When World War Two was declared the family was evacuated to Kokstad, South Africa. They returned to England at the end of the war. Tim graduated from Allhallows in England where he was a member of the soccer and rugby teams. He spent three years of National Service (navy) before arriving in Canada (1957) on the Holland America ship Ryndam which docked at Pier 21. He then traveled by train to Vancouver, where he made his home for 40 years. He graduated from British Columbia Institute of Technology in Pulp & Paper Research and worked for over 20 years with Paprican, Vancouver. In 1990 he received a citation from the President of Pulp & Paper Research Institute of Canada for his “creative approach to solving a critical industry problem”.

Tim and Gloria (Webb) met at a ‘mountain climbing’ session in BC in 1964 and married January 8th 1966 in Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver. Tim was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in 1991 and due to complications of MS he was forced to take a disability pension in 1993. Tim had many varied interests which included photography (he served as President of Vancouver Photography Club), fishing, camping, skiing, golf, cooking and the symphony. He loved to teach children anything about the out-of-doors. He took an active part in community affairs while living in Vancouver. In 2001 he moved to Halifax from Vancouver with his wife to reside in her homestead which was renovated to suit his disability.

Tim is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Gloria; sister, Ann Kilpatrick (Sandy) and nieces, (Mary and Alison), in England; brother-in-law, Karl (Shelley) Webb; sister-in-law, Linda (David) Hankinson; many Canadian and English cousins, nieces, and nephews and a host of friends in Nova Scotia, BC, and Bermuda.

A special thanks to friend Fransica Schooten, Faye Cormier, and Dr. B. Poranick and to all the Care Workers from Northwood, especially Carol and Joanna who were with Tim the longest; to all the VON nurses who so ably administered to Tim, especially Brenda; to Marie Clare Chartrand, Capital Health, and the Northwood Supervisors & Schedulars who supported Gloria in her time of need and who provided special care for Tim towards his end of life.

Visitation to take place Thursday, March 10th, 2016 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive. A Memorial service will be held at Bethany United Church, 7171 Clinton Ave. on March 11th, 2016 at 2 pm, Rev. Kevin Little and Rev. Vincent Ihasz officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to MS Research or charity of choice.