It is with sad hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Thomas Jeffrey Stephens on January 5, 2017 in Beijing, The People’s Republic of China. Tom was born in Truro, Nova Scotia on April 26, 1967, nineteen minutes after the birth of his twin brother and best friend, Robert Owen. Growing up in Truro, Tom played hockey, baseball and football at many levels. After high school, he completed bachelor degrees in Arts and Education at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax and the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Upon completion of his studies, Tom embarked on a remarkable career as an international teacher combining a natural wanderlust with an unquenchable thirst for learning, discovery and teaching. He travelled and worked in several overseas countries including South Korea, Japan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Germany. Tom also taught at several local Truro schools. For the last ten years Tom taught at several schools throughout Beijing and Shanghai, China. While Tom travelled far and wide, he sought neither fame nor fortune, but instead was a collector of life experiences, interacting with children and adults of many different cultures. Tom loved great conversation, reading books, politics, and being out on the Edge or the Fringe as he would often say. He was a peaceful soul who adored his mother, family and his so many, friends. As Tom would say “Life...what a ride”. Tom is survived by his mother Isabel Stephens (the late Donald Charles Stephens); sister, Stephanie MacNeil (David); twin brother, Rob Stephens; brother, Donald (Chuck) Stephens Jr. (Wanda); niece, Sarah and children (Sophia and Emmett); nephew, Devon, and extended family throughout Canada and the U.S. A Celebration of Life will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday February 4th, in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Truro Homeless Outreach Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Colchester Community Funeral Home. Online messages of condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.ColchesterCommunity.com