TOWNSEND, Stephen Gordon — 52, Halfway Cove, Guysborough Co., died suddenly at his home in Halfway Cove, Guysborough Co., on Sunday, April 18, 2010. Stephen is survived by his spouse and soul mate, Gary Neufeld, and their children, Kai and Spiery, (May and Mary Lee); his father, Michael Townsend; siblings, Peter (Lyn), Ian (Bonnie), Barbara (Doug), David (Bev), Heather and his many loving nieces and nephews. Stephen was predeceased by his mother, Jean Kathleen (Ross) and his friend and mentor, Leonard O'Leary. His home, and the place of his heart, has long been Halfway Cove, and the community he came to love and cherish and who opened their hearts and homes to "The Boys". His loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew him, from his closest friends, Brenda and Victoria, to the unconditional love of the animals he shared his life with and everyone in between. Stephen was an extraordinary man, capable of seeing the potential in everyone and everything. His strength, his wisdom, and his honesty created a safe haven for others to grow. He was passionate about life and that passion was plain to see in all his various interests. The family will honour Stephen's wishes by having a private celebration of his extraordinary life following his cremation. Many thanks to his friends and everyone in the community for sharing, enjoying and enriching Stephen's life. Memorial donations may be made in Stephen's memory to the Guysborough Memorial Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 170, Guysborough, NS B0H 1N0. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Homes Ltd., Guysborough. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com