Fr. Melvin John Stevens

1937 – 2022

We lament the passing of Fr. Melvin Stevens, SFM, who died on Monday, April 4, 2022, at the Houses of Providence, Scarborough, Ontario. He was 85 years of age.

Born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, on March 4, 1937, Fr. Mel was the son of John and Arthena Stevens and was one of eight children. He attended Centre Town School, Consolidated Memorial School, and St. Ambrose High School in Yarmouth. He then went on to study at Our Lady of Hope Mission Seminary in Newburgh, New York, for one year, specializing in Latin, before entering St. Augustine Seminary in Scarborough, Ontario. He was ordained to the priesthood for Scarboro Missions on August 6, 1966, in Yarmouth, by Bishop Albert Leménager.

After his ordination, Fr. Mel was appointed to mission in Saint Vincent, an island nation in the Southern Caribbean and served as curate at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kingstown, the capital city.

After two years in mission, Fr. Mel returned to Canada and joined the Scarboro Missions pastoral team, assisting at parishes in the Diocese of Saint Catharines, Ontario. His first post was to the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in 1968, then to Our Lady of the Scapular Parish in Niagara Falls in 1975, and to St. Kevin’s Church in Welland in 1979.

In October 1983, Fr. Mel suffered a coronary and was hospitalized. He recuperated at Scarboro Missions central house until he was well enough to return to pastoral work at Our Lady of Scapular Parish in Niagara Falls in May 1984. That same month he was appointed by Most Rev. Thomas B. Fulton, Bishop of Saint Catharines Diocese, to serve again at parishes in the diocese. He served at Star of the Sea Church in Saint Catharines for seven months, at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Welland for 10 years, and then at Saint George Church in Crystal Beach for more than five years until he was forced to retire in 2006 for reasons of health. From that time, Fr. Mel lived at a Seniors Home in Niagara Falls and later at the Loyalist Retirement Residence in Saint Catharines, returning to his Scarboro community whenever he could for visits, as well as special meetings, retreats, and gatherings. In January 2020, he moved to the Houses of Providence in Scarborough where he remained until his death.

Of his overseas mission experience, Fr. Melvin said, "What I remember the most is the generosity of the people in Saint Vincent. How much they could sacrifice for one another, sharing with one another from the little they had. So when I came back to Canada this was what influenced me deeply to work with refugees here at home." His experience in Saint Vincent, journeying with people on the edges of life and witnessing their strength and resilience, drew him in time to a ministry with newcomers to Canada.

Fr. Mel is predeceased by his parents and by his sisters Lillian Farmer and Rebecca Brothers, and by his brother Gordon Stevens. He is survived by his brothers Ross Stevens (Jeanne) and Jackie Berry Stevens (Donna), by his sisters Leona Stevens and Sheila Nichols (Philip) and his brother-in-law Cecil Brothers. Fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews.

Fr. Melvin will be remembered for his kindness and compassion, but also for his large personality and great sense of humour. He could make you laugh at a situation with just the look on his face.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 12:00 PM at Presentation Manor Senior Living Chapel, 61 Fairfax Crescent, Scarborough, Ontario. Following the Mass there will be an Interment at Our Lady Queen of the Clergy Cemetery, 2661 Kingston Road in Scarborough. The Chapel Service will be available through livestream: https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/51165

May he rest in Peace.