Stephen M. Fudge, 59, a leading environmental consultant, died at his home in Halifax on November 18, 2010. Stephen is survived by his wife Susan Wood, sons David (Tim Henneberry), James (Emma Cameron) and Aiden. Stephen was predeceased by his father, Gordon and is survived by his mother, Ada Fudge and his brothers Edward (Barb) and John (Lynne). He will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Born in Moncton, New Brunswick on July 30, 1951, Stephen attended Moncton High. He went on to Mount Allison University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Biology and Geology) in 1976. He also obtained a Master of Science (Biogeography and Soil Science) from the University of Calgary in 1982. Stephen began his career in Calgary in 1981 working with Environmental Management Associates before joining Hardy Associates Ltd. in 1982 when he relocated to St. John’s, NL to open an office for them. In 1985 he was recruited by Hector Jacques to join Jacques Whitford and Stephen was the founder of their environmental consulting practice. In 1989 he moved to Halifax where he oversaw the expansion of the practice throughout the Atlantic Provinces and into Ontario, Quebec and the West. Stephen was the first Vice President International and saw the firm undertake major assignments in Russia, China, South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. Stephen remained with Jacques Whitford until it was acquired by Stantec Consulting Ltd. in 2009 and he was a Senior Principal with Stantec at the time of his death. Stephen played a key role in developing clients and winning major projects, such as Low Level Flying in Quebec and Labrador, the Confederation Bridge, Voisey’s Bay, Halifax Harbour Clean-up, and more recently Lower Churchill, and Eider Rock. He was the project director for the ExxonMobil Hebron Project environmental assessment and he managed the environmental and regulatory components of the Suffield NWA Shallow Gas Infill Project in Alberta and the Deep Panuke Offshore Development Project for EnCana in NS. He was a specialist in environmental management and liaison with both public and private sectors. He had extensive experience with mining, onshore and marine related energy projects throughout Canada. He had given evidence in front of provincial and federal hearing panels, and had also given expert testimony on behalf of clients to the National Energy Board on several environmental panels. His International experience included work for the World Bank, the Canadian International Development Agency and private sector clients. He was a long-serving member of the Board of Directors of the Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia.
Stephen was passionate about football, beginning his career at Moncton High playing for the Purple Knights. He was a valued member of the Mount A. Mounties and was invited to try out with the Calgary Stampeders. With equal intensity, he later played rugby on teams in Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia and toured Ireland with The Swilers. He was a talented and well-respected football coach having developed many players through the years. He coached the Halifax Raiders to the Provincial and Maritime Championship in 2001. Stephen was an avid sailor and a member of the Armdale Yacht Club. During the summer when he wasn’t on his boat “Halftime” he could be found with his family at their cottage on the Northumberland Strait where he loved to enjoy the company of family and friends; there was much laughter, swimming, canoeing, bonfires, biking, walking the sand flats and the pleasure of sharing good food and drink. Stephen was a very charismatic man, dedicated to his family, intensely loyal to his colleagues, generous, and gregarious. Always competitive, Stephen was relentless in his pursuit of business and worked tirelessly on many big projects. He was a builder, a leader, a fighter, and most of all a friend to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. He made people laugh with his many stories and anecdotes about projects, work, clients, travels and colleagues. Stephen was always self-effacing and was a great celebrator of life. He had a huge sphere of influence – he will be dearly missed.
A celebration of Stephen’s life will be held on Sunday, November 28th at Pier 21 beginning at 12:30; reception to follow. Donations may be made to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent to www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.