Stephen McLean passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at home, surrounded by the love and care of his family, at the age of 66.

He was predeceased by his parents, Agatha (Vienneau) McLean and Howard McLean.

Stephen is survived by his wife of 40 years Debbie (Green) McLean and his three children: Hollie McLean, Ottawa, Cameron McLean, Bathurst and Connor McLean (Zoé), Bathurst.

Stephen is also survived by his sister Kellie McLean Marks (Duane), North Tetagouche, and his brother Reid McLean (Christy), Fredericton.

He leaves behind a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews in Bathurst and across the country.

Stephen worked all of his life. He began fishing as a young man and worked on tankers on the St. Lawrence Seaway, Great Lakes and along the Eastern Seaboard. He spent many years working on oil rigs off the coasts of Newfoundland, Scotland, Norway, Spain and Portugal. He spent the last twenty years of his career as a Marine Safety Officer. Stephen was an experienced navigator and Master Mariner; he generously shared his knowledge and expertise, mentoring others along the way.

Above all, Stephen was a family man. He was a loving and supportive husband, father and father figure; his knowledge and guidance was the foundation of the family. He had a presence and a great sense of humour that persisted even in difficult times. He was an avid reader, sports fan extraordinaire and loved to golf and play hockey. He loved to spend time working around his home and garden, with an outdoor fire on at the end of the day.

The funeral service will be held at the First United Church in Bathurst at 4pm on Friday, May 27, 2022.  Masks are required to attend the funeral service.

He was very loved by his family and will be eternally missed.

Donations in the memory of Stephen may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the Canadian Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Elhatton's Funeral Home, www.elhattons.com