Deacon Stanley Joseph MacLellan
November 18, 1937 – April 6, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce that Stan died peacefully at dawn on April 6, 2021. Stan was a proud northerner, born in Nakina, Ontario on November 18, 1937 to Donald and Karolina MacLellan, as the younger brother of Angus (D.2017). He is survived by his wife, Olga (Welyczko) and children Christine, Robert and Jim (Nicole), his grandchildren Gregory(Diana), Anna(Rafael), Tanya(Oliver), Nadia(Christopher), Ben(Jordana), Koda(Linda) and Maude, and his great grandchildren Tessa, Conor, Sarah and Andrew.
In Stan’s own words (from various sources, edited): It has been an exciting journey from Nakina, a small railway town in Northern Ontario to boarding at St Michael’s College School, on to St Michael’s College, U of T, Assumption University Windsor, and University of Western Ontario.
There were many excellent teachers along the way…the absolute best was Alice Downey, in Nakina’s two room school house (Grades 1 through 10). Those taught by Alice learned when they travelled south to continue their educations that they were far ahead of their southern counterparts.
I have been constantly inspired to seek many challenges and a variety tasks. I thrived on being busy, mentoring, and productive in improving situations for those I worked with during my business career, my church community, volunteer groups, friends, and especially for my family.
As a young man, I worked on the railway during summers, on the St. Lawrence Seaway, as a brand manager, as treasurer of the economics student organization at University of Windsor, and as a Teaching Fellow. I started my business career in Toronto, working at Equitable Securities, MV Jones, CMHC, the Appraisal Institute (teaching), TD Investments, Garvin Guy Butler, Canadian Executive Service Organization (volunteer advisor – over 25 projects worldwide), Cockfield Porretti Cunningham, and Dorchester Wealth Management, plus various consulting jobs along the way.
My faith is my rock on which all else grows. In 1972 my former classmate from U of T St Mike’s, Paul Giroux persuaded me to join the Permanent Diaconate Programme. Twenty seven of us were the first in English Canada to be ordained. I continued with the Diaconate Programme out of St Augustine’s Seminary for 5 years, creating and upgrading course programming. I served the longest as a deacon at St Michael’s Cathedral, for 14 years, running the Baptismal Programme. My great joy was to participate in the marriages of my grandchildren and baptize my great-grandchildren. I retired from the Diaconate at the age of 75.
I also enjoyed working with the Basillians. We met at Carr Farm to create programmes and fundraise to help the poorest of the poor in the mountain regions of the Island of St Lucia — proof of success of the programmes is that their leadership now comes from the local people who participated in them.
My love of the North is strong. I always felt renewed after being in the bush. I have shared this with my children and their children as we travelled to fly-in fish, and to hunt. Nothing but God’s country to admire in peace, and the enjoyment of each other’s presence. What an amazing gift, this country of ours! There are many stories to share about organizing these yearly trips…the same can of fruit salad joined us for many years.
I guess mentoring has been a big part of my life.
For me, my life has been about faith, love for family, love of nature, passion about work, service to community and to the world. To sum it up, it has been an exciting journey!
Stan was generous with his most valuable possession – time. A father, husband, trusted mentor, deacon, advisor, volunteer, friend. He deeply impacted the lives of, and will be sorely missed by, a great many people – he was truly loved.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Palliative Care Team of Caledon, Peel Region. Without their gentle and professional care, we could not have given Stan the peaceful passing at home that he wished for.
The Funeral Mass will be held at St Michael’s Cathedral at 10:00AM on Saturday April 17, 2021. While it will be private due to pandemic restrictions, it will be livestreamed — the link is www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live (or check www.stmichaelscathedral.com/schedule). You may find additional information and share your thoughts on the website of Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home.
Those who wish to honour Stan may consider making a donation to one of his choice charities, which include: Catholic Missions in Canada; Cardiac Take Charge Fund of the Toronto Rehab Foundation (UHN); and, L’Arche Canada.
If you wish to send flowers click here.
2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Deacon Stanley Joseph MacLellan 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:TORONTO, Province: Ontario