STEPHENSON, Leonard Fielding

DOMINION

We wish to announce the peaceful passing of our dad on August 27, 2017 at the age of 95 at Taigh Na Mara Nursing Home, where he resided for the past year. He was a wonderful father, husband, historian and a community leader.

He was born in Dominion on November 6, 1921, to Raymond and Ethel (Fielding) Stephenson and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

We his daughter’s, Joanne (Fred) Gillis and Mary Anita (Allen) McCormick, and his grandchildren, Liam and Anna Gillis, Jessica and Kyle McCormick, were blessed to called him Dad and Papa. He was a devoted husband of 58 years before the passing of his wife, Audrey (Farrell) in 2010. Dad grew up with eight siblings and was a kind and supportive brother to each of them.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Clara (Mickey) Mullins, Sister Mary Stephenson, Margaret (Graham) Crosby, Geraldine and Shirley, and his brothers, John (May), Francis and Thomas in infancy. He was also predeceased by his loyal canine buddy, Bailey. Dad is survived by his sister-in-law, Marguerite Stephenson.

Dad lived a very full and colourful life and his involvement and commitment to his community spanned decades. He worked a short time in the coal mines before joining the Merchant Marine where he served as a medic beside his brothers for 4 years during WWII. Upon his return to Canada he joined the Post Office and served as Dominion’s Post Master for 35 years, retiring in 1987.

Dad was a solid athlete and coached basketball, baseball and boxing. He was the Captain and short stop of the first team to bring a Maritime Baseball Championship to Cape Breton playing for the Dominion Hawks in 1940 and 41. He was also head trainer for the Glace Bay Miners’ Professional hockey team in the hey-day of the Maritime Major Hockey League from 1946 to 1953. He was a volunteer fireman for 50 years and was made an honorary member. He was also an honorary member of the Italian Community and the Dominion Community Hawks Club. He served as board chair of Seaview Manor and was a board member of the Miner’s Museum, Dominion Credit Union and the Children’s Aid Society of Cape Breton. He was very active in St. Eugene’s Church and was a member of Royal Canadian Legion. During the 1987 Jeux Canada winter games, he assumed the role of the chairmen of Medal Design and Presentation Committee. Dad loved playing bridge and taught the game to many new enthusiasts. He also had a bird watching and astronomy passion and built two observatories. Dad also had the reputation of making the best seafood chowder and lobster sandwiches. Dad is best known and well respected for researching history, documenting the people, buildings and the stories of Dominion. These works were written and published in 5 books which are on display at the Dominion Heritage Museum, which was re-constructed under his leadership. He also researched and led the design of the Miners’ Memorial and Firemen’s Monuments. A true gentleman, he shunned the accolades, reluctantly accepting “Citizen of the Century” in 2006, the Queens Jubilee Medal and the Provincial Volunteer Award.

Visitation will take place Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Curry’s Funeral Home, 775 Main St., Glace Bay from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral service will be held Friday, September 1, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Parish with Fr. Daniel Boudreau officiating.

Condolences to the family may be sent to currysfuneralhome.com.