D. Stephen “Steve” MacDonald

"One of life’s many changes where no one has control. 

When your heart has lost it’s feeling, just like it has a mind of his own. 

The ones left hurt are the ones you loved the most."

It is with great sadness that the family of D. Stephen "Steve" MacDonald, of St Stephen, NB announce his passing, peacefully at Charlotte County Hospital, St Stephen, N.B. on Feb 16, 2025. 

Born in 1951, in St. Stephen, NB to the late Donald and Annie (nee Henry) MacDonald.

People go through life filling in the ‘dash’ between their years.  Steve’s dash looked more like a musical staff with carefully placed notes and accidental melodies.  Around the age of fourteen, Steve was given the gift of a guitar.  Steve turned that gift into his hobby, his passion and most importantly a legacy for anyone to enjoy.  Steve not only taught himself to play the guitar, but soon realized he had a natural talent as a song writer.  Throughout his life he recorded several albums, and his life is chronicled by the lyrics in his songs. 

Some of his first songs talk of the carefree days of a young man growing up in the 1960’s, surrounded by "Good songs, wild women, cheap wine, good living…What more to life could there be?" In high school Steve was the lead singer of a band that often practiced in an abandoned barn, which was the inspiration for a song entitled "Boys in the Barn".  The song details the vibe that they brought to this barn, filling it with music, shenanigans and occasionally a bit of a haze. 

Steve married young and soon he was blessed with children.  He settled into life and started his career at the Department of Natural Resources, where he worked until his retirement.   He processed this transition into adulthood with songs reflecting the struggles of finding your place in the world while meeting the expectations of these roles.  "Time has a funny way of changing all your dreams; no not forgotten just pushed by reality."

As he guided his kids through their formative years the advice he gave often inspired songs that continue to provide direction that they can turn to whenever needed.  He once wrote, "You can’t always count on tomorrow and only a few of your friends, so don’t ever think life owes you, or you’ll be all alone in the end.  Learn to laugh and learn to love, again."

It is evident as he continued to write throughout his life that he had more wisdom to share and he realized that everyone goes through hard times, which he captured in a song saying, "There’s things we should be doing, times we haven’t had, memories to work on, getting older makes you mad.  Seems like only yesterday, and yet so long ago, we were all together and then we had to go.  Life gets in the way."

Whether it was the loss of a parent or the birth of his first grandchild, Steve captured it in a song.  His passion surrounded him with people who were always eager to hear him play and sing.  His family, friends and fans will cherish the mark he made in this world. 

"Live for today… while there’s no guarantee but one.  It will get you; it’s just a matter of time."

Steve is survived by his wife of 50 years Rhonda (Farnham), daughter Kirstie Mann, and son Randy (Monique).  He was best known as ‘Bub’ to his grandchildren Jerin Lopez, Charlie Mann, Mila and Hayes MacDonald.  Steve is also survived by his brother and best friend, Gordon MacDonald (Darlene), nephew; Craig MacDonald (Jenn), niece; Emmy Caldwell (Jesse), uncle Bill Brown of Bowen Island, nieces, nephews and several cousins. 

Steve was predeceased by his parents, father and mother-in-law Gart and Fran Farnham, aunt Helen Brown, uncle Don Henry, sisters-in-law Joyce Malloy and Linda Moholland. 

As per Steve’s request, no funeral service will take place.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date. 

Donations can be made in Steve’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Charlotte County SPCA.