Kenneth Stevens

It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of Kenny Stevens’ passing. Kenny was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Kenny passed away suddenly but peacefully at the Kiknu Nursing Home in Eskasoni on September 3, 2025. He was 74 years old.

Kenny was born on April 4, 1951 in Sydney, NS to the late Tom and Susie Stevens. He was a humble, kind and soft-spoken man with a unique sense of humor. Proud of his Mi’kmaq heritage, Kenny celebrated his culture and spirituality by participating in traditional ceremonies, sweat lodge and as a traditional dancer. He was an interpretive guide at Goat Island and had a passion for sharing his Mi’kmaq culture with visitors. In his younger years Kenny played ice hockey and was a loyal San Jose Sharks fan. Kenny stayed physically active by walking and biking. He enjoyed participating in pow wows/“Mawiomis”, camping, fishing, bbq’ing and online poker. He had a love for animals and held a special relationship with his many pets over the years including his beloved dog Winnie.

Kenny lived in both Canada and the U.S. during his lifetime. Kenny was living in California when he met his wife Maria in 1994. They were married for 30 years. He earned his associates degree from Cabrillo College in Aptos, California. He had a career as a mechanical drafter. He was a skilled hand drum and leather craftsman. His beautiful traditional hand drums have been either gifted or sold to people living across Canada, the United States and several other European countries as well as being displayed in a Russian museum. Kenny was a Mi’kmaq lodge attendant and drug and alcohol counsellor for N.A.D.A.C.A and was passionate about supporting people through their sobriety journey.

Kenny was loved by so many and will be deeply missed by his surviving wife Maria Stevens, his children Craig Paul (Madelaine), Annessa Wright and Justin Christmas, his seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, his siblings Gibbet Stevens (Jim), Kennis Paul (Martha), Doreen Stevens (Vance), Dawn Stevens, Annie Francis and Amanda Julian (Cyril), his goddaughter Terena Francis and numerous other family members, his good friends Vince Marshall, Walter Young and Richard Denny. In addition to his parents, Kenny is predeceased by his godparents Mary Ruston and Roddie Johnson.

A three day wake will commence at the Elder’s Centre in Eskasoni beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Traditional prayers will be held on Thursday at 11am at the Elder’s Centre. A community feast and salité will take place at the Gabriel Center beginning at noon on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting twcurry.com.