He lived a good life

By Nadine Armstrong

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

The Town of Windsor lost one of its most formative figures Dec. 18. Tenacious and straight as a die, former deputy mayor, fire chief and business owner Walter Stephens “never messed about” and was the essence of community spirit.

Many have said that Stephens contributed more to his community in his 90 years than anyone else could in a lifetime.

“Right up to his last days, he was still interested in what was happening in Windsor and would still challenge those in authority and debate the issues,” said Windsor Mayor Anna Allen. “He certainly left his mark.”

Stephens sat on town council and was deputy major for a total of 26 years. Larry Armstrong former CAO recalls Stephens’s contributions. “He was a hard sell,” Armstrong noted. Stephens stuck to his point of view, but could be convinced if something was in the town’s favour. Armstrong pointed out that Stephens wasn't one to be impressed with federal or provincial directives. “He felt the people knew what was best for their own town.”

One for making things happen, Stephens had little time for ego. “He never wanted to be mayor,” Armstrong noted. “He preferred to be the deputy; he had no time for ‘pomp and ceremony.’”

Stephens’s formative years certainly foretold his future. As a young man he attended the Windsor Academy, where he showed promise as head of student council.

Focused on volunteering

Unable to serve in the Second World War because of an asthmatic condition, Stephens focused his energies volunteering at the Stanley Airport and instructing the Windsor Air Cadet Band.

“He loved marching bands,” said daughter Andrea. “He always wanted to learn the bagpipes, but never did get the chance,” she said. “I think that came from his Scottish heritage.”

Stephens played the bass and snare drum in the town band for many years as well.

After his 40 years in the fire service, the fire department flew Stephens and wife Alison to Scotland to attend the Scottish Tattoo as a retirement gift.

His other interests included hockey and shooting. Stephens was a member of the local rifle club and refereed for the Windsor hockey team, even getting in the net for the Windsor Fire Department team on occasion.

But as Andrea put it, volunteerism was where his passion really lay. “He volunteered a lot of his time,” she said. “He loved it, that was his hobby.”

Having been left the successful W.A. Stephens Ltd. Store by his father, Stephens was able to engage in a career on council and with the fire department. “My father was fortunate to have inherited a store that was doing well,”Andrea said. “That left him time to pursue other activities. He was privileged in that.”

As a daughter she is also proud of the man she called ‘Dad.’ “He was always very encouraging, never negative. He encouraged me to try anything I was interested in and took me along with him on many occasions.”

Man of Action

One who remembers Stephens best is Roland Hanson who worked under Stephens for 47 years at the family store and later as deputy fire chief. “I’ve spent a lifetime with them and they were a great family,” he said. Hanson started out as a delivery boy for the store at the age of 13 and later went to work for the company full-time.

“I’ve seen Walter in action,” Hanson recalled with a smile. “His mother used to ask him why he was so stubborn and he'd laugh and tell her, ‘because I'm your son.’”

Hanson describes Stephens as being very dedicated to both the fire department and the town. “Walter was just such a community man. He was always very interested in Town affairs.”

And it wasn't just during council meetings, either. “He’d go roaming about at night, driving around town and if there was a street light out you’d better believe someone would hear about it in the morning.”

And when Stephens spoke, Hanson said, people listened. “If he had something to say he said it, he didn’t fool around.” As fire chief Stephens, topped the list. “He was excellent.” Hanson said Stephens was instrumental in setting up mutual aid from Windsor to Yarmouth and in keeping the station in top-notch condition.

“When Walter took over our equipment was horse and buggy,” Hanson recalled. “But we built it up.”

And when the station was rehoused on King Street, it was renamed the Walter B. Stephens Building.

Never one to miss out on the action, Hanson said, Stephens was all ‘red lights and sirens.’

“When the fire alarm went off he would drop everything and tell someone at the store to take over,” Hanson said. “Then I’d have to wait for the customers to go so I could join him.”

Accomplishments aside, he was still an extraordinary man. “What I liked best about Walter is, if he wanted to say something about you he’d say it to your face. He never went around the corner to do it.” Hanson said. “I liked him, I liked him alot. I liked him as a person.”