EVERYONE LOVED LENNIE
Dominion mourning death of community historian, volunteer
Dominion historian remembered as community-minded man.
It seems everyone has a story about Lenny Stephenson.
Stephenson, 95, who was known for his work as a community volunteer and historian, died Sunday at Taigh Na Mara nursing home in Glace Bay.
“It’s been a hard few days for sure but it’s comforting hearing the stories and memories that people have been sharing with us,” said his daughter Mary Anita McCormick.
Although her father loved his community, McCormick said she and sister Joanne Gillis know he also loved his family.
“He was giving and non-judgmental and taught us to treat people with respect and show respect,” she said. “Everything he did, he did for his love of community, love of people and family. He never expected or wanted anything in return.”
McCormick said her father was most proud of the Dominion Heritage Schoolhouse Museum project, which was reconstructed under his leadership.
“He loved being down there to share the stories of the history, of the people and the building.”
Dist. 10 Coun. Darren Bruckschwaiger described Stephenson as an incredible man.
“If anyone helped me in life it was that man. He was always so kind and a generous man. We use to go clam digging with him and he’d take me and a lot of kids for ice cream.”
When Bruckschwaiger operated a pizza shop in the community, Stephenson would often stop by for a chat.
“We were in the fire department together and even managed the bar together for awhile.”
Bruckschwaiger said while Stephenson was the community’s postmaster he was known for helping people fill in forms, deliver mail to the elderly and much more behind the scenes.
Stephenson was also known for his research and knowledge of the history of Dominion and produced numerous books on the subject.
A few years ago Bruckschwaiger nominated Stephenson for the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and it was presented at a Cape Breton Regional Municipality council meeting.
Eric Spencer, an active honorary member of the Dominion Volunteer Fire Department, said
he got to know Stephenson when he joined the fire department in 1977.
”He kind of took me under his arm at the time. From then on until he retired he became my true mentor.”
Stephenson often took the firefighters on outings to thank them for their service.
“He would do it at his own expense to thank the boys for their hard work.”
Spencer said he and his brother-in-law repaired a dilapidated barn in Stephenson’s yard.
“It became one of the finest barns ever but he still called it ‘the cow barn.’ There was
a beautiful pool table set up there and there were hundreds of pictures and ornaments of cows. Many people spent a lot of time in there playing pool with Lenny.”
Stephenson will be honoured with a fireman’s funeral.
“He was just a remarkable man and we’re really going to miss him.”
Frank Canova, president of the Dominion Italian Hall, said Stephenson helped members of the Italian community who had difficulty with the English language when they arrived in Cape Breton.
“He was awesome and is going to be sadly missed.”
Billy MacPherson, a retired member of the Dominion Hawks Club, said Stephenson helped many people in many ways.
MacPherson said when they started the Dominion Hawks Club 25 years ago Stephenson was their “go to guy.”
“He gave us so much insight and history of the Hawks Club and how it started in the 1950s.”
MacPherson said with Stephenson’s help they found the original deed and it included the names of several individuals who were still alive.
“They gave us the land for absolutely nothing and because of that we were able to continue the tradition of the Hawks Club and it was Lenny who led us and
helped us.
“He was the local hero, he was our local historian.”
Visitation for Stephenson will take place Thursday at Curry’s Funeral Home in Glace Bay from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Parish with Fr. Daniel Boudreau officiating.