Obituary of Kevin Blair Stephens

Kevin Blair Stephens joined the choir immaculate during his 50th year on Earth while surrounded by loved family and friends in Fredericton, NB, on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Kevin was born in Fredericton, NB on August 23, 1974 to a proud father Byron Edward Stephens and his late mother Margaret Stephens; maiden name Harvey. He grew up on a fishing village of Grand Manan Island but left to get an education. In 1996, his education adventure landed him in NBCC Miramichi where he found the missing piece of his heart, Annie Aubé. She knew right away he was the one. He took time…years in fact - he suffered from analysis paralysis. They were married September 15, 2000 in Beresford. In an odd happenstance, the entire ceremony was in French and Kevin, nor his whole attending family, understood a word. We all smiled just the same.

He started life in a fishing village but aspired to be a programmer. After several years he persevered and landed his dream job in the federal government. There, he evolved from developer to technical writer and finally a process specialist which suited his personality of both being a writer and of wanting to help make people’s lives easier using technology.    

Kevin happily fell into a wonderful life of being a father to a beautiful girl. He jumped at being a part of every minute of his daughter Emma’s life. Fatherhood experiences were far and beyond the most cherished times of his life.

In his spare time, Kevin dreamed of starting a business to help people find employment using streamlined technology. He worked on that dream as long as he could.

Kevin made time regularly to be grumpy at his father, caring for his wife, a walking monologue to his daughter, and a friend to everyone else he shared his time with. Whether they were playing disc golf, board games, or console games, Kevin found the best way to connect with people was over a shared experience regardless of how the game itself turned out or how he may have scowled about them.

Kevin enjoyed using his gift of writing to share his challenges with cancer in his later years which was frequently commented upon to have been appreciated, well written, and helpful to more people that he could ever know. This alone felt to him like those Facebook blogs stood among his greatest feats in life.

Kevin is survived by his wife Annie Stephens, daughter Emma Claudia Stephens, father Byron (Marion) Stephens, brother Cory (Lisa Merritt) Stephens, half-sister Deanna Merrill, and his step-father Stephen Harris. Not to mention a few awesome nieces, and a fantastic nephew.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Killarney Lake Rotary Centennial Lodge, 1600 St. Mary’s Street, Fredericton, NB on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 12-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Fredericton SPCA or to a charity of the donor’s choice.  Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com