With great sadness, the family of Max Stephenson announces his passing at home on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 after a lengthy illness. The son of the late John and Grace (Osborne) Stephenson, Max was born in Marysville on September 6, 1937 and moved to Saint John with his family in the early 1940s. Following his graduation from Saint John High School, Max attended New Brunswick Teacher’s College where he met his future wife, Irma Smith. After a brief teaching career, he began working at the Irving Oil Refinery shortly after its opening in 1960. As part of the original refinery team, Max enjoyed a 42-year career and was known for his intricate knowledge of the refinery and memory for details. After the death of his beloved Irma in 1997, Max took up golf and curling. He enjoyed the camaraderie of travelling and playing sports with many refinery alumni and friends. He spent a number of winters in Arizona and trips to North Carolina where he maximized his golfing time, one year playing 244 rounds between New Brunswick and southern courses. Aside from spending time with his family and friends, perhaps Max’s greatest love was gardening. First with Irma and then on his own, he maintained extensive vegetable gardens, as well as an apple orchard on their property. A man of many talents, he took his garden spoils to the kitchen where he made pickles, pies and preserves, as well as bread. A great story teller, Max loved to reminisce and recount tales of his years growing up in Rockwood Court and playing on the Allison Grounds. Max’s amazing memory for dates and events led him to a great interest in genealogy over the past few years, and he enjoyed spending time researching his family history. Max is survived by his son, Darrell (Nea) and his beloved granddaughters, Mira and Isabella of Rothesay, who were his pride and joy; his sister, Janet O’Neill of Chemainus, BC; his nephew, John Stephenson (Kimberley) of Fredericton; and his great nephews and niece, Adam, Kevin, Marcus and Jennie. In addition to his parents and his wife, Irma, Max was predeceased by his daughter, Tammy Lynn, as well as his brothers, Harry and David. Max’s family wishes to thank Dr. Jim Collings for providing such attentive, long-term care for Max. In addition, heartfelt gratitude is extended to Sharon Dunlop-McEwan and Jennifer Scarlett, as well as Judy Lane and Lori Thompson and their team from Homecare By Design. Without their exceptional compassionate care, Max would have been unable to remain in his home during his illness. Visitation will be 2-4 & 6-8 pm on Tuesday April 30th, 2019 at Reid’s Funeral Home, 1063 Main St., Hampton, and a funeral service will be held at Hampton Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 1st , 2019 at 2 pm. Interment following the service will be at Smithtown United Baptist Church Cemetery in Smithtown. For those who wish, donations to the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice would be greatly appreciated by the family. Personal condolences to the family and memorial donations may be made through ReidsFH.com