It is with heavy hearts that the family of Stephen John Ritchie, husband of Donna (Ferris) Ritchie, of Hampton, NB announces his passing, which occurred peacefully on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, at his residence, at the age of 63. He was born in Saint John, NB on March 25, 1951, a son of the late Stephen J. and Mary Jean (Williams) Ritchie. Steve graduated from UNB (BA and LLB) and was called to the NB Bar in 1987. He opened his office in Hampton in 1988 and served the area for 26 years. Steve was a great outdoorsman; hunting and fishing with his wife Donna was a large part of his life. Family and home were the centre of Steve’s universe; he was well loved and is sadly missed by his family. Steve is survived by his wife Donna; three daughters, Michelle and her husband Mark Anderson of Keswick Ridge, NB, Sara and her husband Craig Wilson of Saint John, NB, Cherie and her husband Craig Sooley of Dartmouth, NS; two sons Gregory and his wife Stacey Long of Oromocto, NB, and Jason and his wife Vicki Dufour of Hampton, NB; four sisters, Mary Kotler of Florida, Therese and her husband Joseph Ballard of Florida, Christina Ritchie of Toronto ,ON, and Pamela and her husband John Rowcroft of Whitby, ON; twelve grandchildren, Erik, Nickolas, Nina, Cassandra, Brittany, Cullen, Karsyn, Isaac, Harmonie, Jackson, Rachel and Zach; two aunts, Audrey Barnes of Ottawa, ON and Helene Williams of Saint John, NB and several beloved nieces and nephews. Stephen was predeceased by his mother and father, also in-laws Ottie and Alice Ferris. He is resting at Reid’s Funeral Home, 1063 Main Street, Hampton, (506) 832-5541, with visitation on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. Funeral service, conducted by Rev. Steven Ferris, will be held from Reid’s Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at 11 AM. Interment will take place at a later time. Donations in memory of Stephen, may be made to the Hampton Food Basket, Canadian Cancer Society or to the memorial of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through www.ReidsFH.com