SANDWICH, Mass. — Stephen W. Fernald, 53, died peacefully in the arms of his wife on July 11, 2010, after a courageous and inspiring 12-year battle with colon cancer.

An amazing man of courage, integrity, and compassion, Stephen embraced life’s challenges with dignity and determination. He was passionately devoted to his family, his friends, his country and to Boston sports teams. He was an accomplished athlete, excelling in tennis, volleyball, ping pong and skiing.

Stephen was born in Newport, R.I., and grew up in Peterborough. After graduating from ConVal High School in 1974, Stephen attended Colgate University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1978. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and he began his military career at Quantico, Va. He was subsequently stationed in Iwakuni, Japan, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Parris Island, S.C., and Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif.

While in the Marine Corps, Stephen received a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Chapman University. He proudly served his country and was among the first 100 Marines sent to Saudi Arabia on Aug. 11, 1990 to respond to Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. As the number of U.S. Forces in Saudi Arabia expanded, the Marine Command was reorganized and Captain Fernald, a telecommunications officer, joined the staff of Lt. General Walter Boomer, commanding general of the First Marine Expeditionary Force.

At the end of the Gulf War, Stephen resigned from active duty in the Marine Corps and entered the inactive reserve as a major. He enrolled at the Carroll Graduate School of Management at Boston College, obtained an MBA degree in May 1993, and then went to work for AT&T in Basking Ridge, N.J. He was still employed by AT&T at the time of his death.

He was a lifelong student of history, especially ancient Roman civilization and World War II and he had an amazing memory for facts, names and places.

After being diagnosed with colon cancer in 1998, Stephen was determined to win his war with cancer. No matter what it took, he trusted in the power of prayer, good medicine and his faith in God. Despite great pain, he lived his life to the fullest, with energy, gratitude, and optimism. He never gave up hope that there would be one more treatment to try.

He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth and the loving father of his little angel, Natasha. Stephen was a devoted son of Richard and Judith Fernald of Peterborough, and beloved brother of Mark (Beth) of Sharon; Russell of Killeen, Texas; and Jeffrey (Trish) of Farmington. He will also be dearly missed by his father- and mother-in-law, Henry and Mildred Wojnar; sisters-in-law, Marianne (Joe) Rocco and Carolyn Lenehan; and his brother-in-law Mark (Trish) Wojnar. He was a special uncle to Matt and Katie Fernald, Daniel Fernald, James Henry Wojnar and Michelle, Emily, Theresa, Katie and Max Wojnar.

Stephen was grateful to the doctors and nurses who cared for him at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York; Texas Oncology in Austin, Texas, especially Dr. John Sandbach and Lisa Painter, ARNP; and Massachusetts General Hospital, especially Dr. Dave Ryan, Dr. Vicky Jackson and Dr. Padma Gulur. Special thanks are extended to the nurses of the Peterborough branch of Home Healthcare, Hospice, and Community Services and heartfelt thanks to the nurses of the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Cape Cod and the staff of the McCarthy Care Center, who helped the entire Fernald family during the last week of Stephen’s life.

Friends and family are warmly invited to call at the Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 33 River Street (Route 202 South) Jaffrey today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, 89 Main St., Jaffrey on Friday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Wilfred H. Deschamps, pastor, will officiate. Military honors will follow the mass. Following the service, Stephen’s family invites all to join them at the Union Congregational Church, 33 Concord St., Peterborough, for a time of fellowship.

Should friends desire, contributions in Stephen’s memory may be made to Wonders and Worries, 923 Westbank Drive, Suite C, Austin, TX 78746 or to the charity of your choice.