Community mourns loss of Maryborough’s Alex Stephensen

A family’s sudden and heartbreaking loss has been mourned at a moving and quirky funeral held in memory of a 27-year-old man who touched many lives.

Alex Emil Zachery Stephensen died suddenly on April 4 aged 27.

A family’s sudden heartbreak has been mourned at a quirky and moving funeral service held in memory of their beloved son and brother.

Alex Emil Zachery Stephensen died suddenly on April 4, 2023, aged 27. His family still has no idea why.

On Friday, mourners packed his funeral service at the Heritage Chapel at Maryborough Crematorium.

His mother, Christine Barber, paid tribute to her son, describing how he had been born on a “beautiful Friday evening” on September 8, 1995.

“We loved you from the moment we saw you. Our hearts were full,” she said.

Mrs Barber said she knew her son wouldn’t like to be the centre of attention but, “in typical Alex style”, he had the great gift of bringing everyone together.

Alex, the first grandchild in his family, quickly made his mark on the world, with his attention to detail and his fiercely loyal nature.

Alex Emil Zachery Stephensen died suddenly on April 4, aged 27.

He relished his role as a big brother, Ms Barber said, showing the world his caring heart and soul as he protected and adored his sister, Morgan.

Alex attended Aldridge State High School as a teenager and was dedicated to the navy cadets, where he achieved the rank of chief petty officer, an accomplishment he was hugely proud of, Ms Barber said.

His involvement with TS Maryborough was the start of many epic adventures.

He completed trips to Sydney and Darwin and was also selected to sail on the Young Endeavour from Gladstone to Mackay, climbing masts in the storm and sleeping in hammocks.

During the voyage, he wrote a letter to his future self, saying that “life isn’t as bad as you think if you get along with people well and try hard”.

“Everything will work out.”

In the workforce, he was a model employee, going above and beyond what was asked of him.

Alex worked at Blue Care and Ms Barber said the family had been told how much he was loved there.

When he left Blue Care, he didn’t want fanfare, Ms Barber said, or a big going away party, so his colleagues chipped in and got him $100 worth of Cherry Ripes.

Alex loved to travel, taking in many varied cuisines and cultures.

Alex Emil Zachery Stephensen died suddenly on April 4, 2023 aged 27.

But Ms Barber said on a ski trip to Japan, the first signs of his battles to come emerged and he was later diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

“In all his battles, he faced them with a smile and a selfless laugh.

“He never once complained, he just did Alex.”

Quirky musical choices accompanied the ceremony, with Live or Let Die, performed by Guns and Roses, played alongside Blue (Da Be Dee) during a montage of photos of Alex.

His body rested in a black casket.

Alex loved to immerse himself in board games and video games, Ms Barber said, excelling in them all.

“The ripples of your 27 years will be felt until the end of time,” she said.

“Such was the incredible impact of your incredible soul on this earth.

“Alex, you always told us about the first law of thermodynamics.

“That no energy gets created in the universe and none gets destroyed.

“So we are comforted to know that all your energy is still around.”

Alex Emil Zachery Stephensen died suddenly on April 4 aged 27.

She said she knew Alex’s presence in the world meant so much to many people.

“You don’t just lose someone once, you lose them over and over, sometimes many times a day,” she said.

“When the loss, momentarily forgotten, creeps up and attacks you from behind, the fresh waves of grief smash into you with the realisation he’s gone again.

“You don’t just lose someone once. You lose them every time you open your eyes to a new day and as you awaken, so does your memory.”

Ms Barber said she would miss her son until her last breath.

“I will never have the joy of celebrating your wedding day, I will never have the joy of holding your child,” she said.

“I will never have the joy of watching you grow old.

“But I do have the joy of knowing you are now flying high with the angels and all your demons have been replaced with peace.

“Goodbye my son. I love you.”

The service ended to the strains of the Imperial March.

Originally published as Community mourns loss of Maryborough’s Alex Stephensen