Denzil George Stephens
January 19, 1927 – January 9, 2022
On Sunday, January 9, 2022, Denzil passed away peacefully at home. Predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Merlyn, his eldest daughter, Loraine, and his son, Eugene, he is survived by his sons, Derek, Vivian, and Douglas, daughters, Theresa and Maree, sisters, Shirley and Sheila, brothers-in-law, Henry, Vivian John, and Eustace Thompson, sons-in-law, Roland and Glen, daughters-in-law, Tracy, Beverley, and Suzanne, grandchildren, Allan and family, Nisha and family, Mark, David, Rachael and family, Nina, and Rebecca, great grandchildren Julia, Miranda, Max, and Ivy. Denzil will be missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends in Toronto, India, UK, USA, and Australia.
Denzil worked with Future Executive in Toronto with Mr. Harish Mehta, and Macneill and Magor in India where he is fondly remembered by the Khaitan family, Bahadur Postwalla, the Archdiocese of Calcutta, Jesuit priests, the Carmelite and Loreto nuns, the Missionaries of Charity, and Rev. Dr. A. Joseph Lazar (India).
Our thanks to the Local Health Integration Network (James), Denzil’s caring PSWs, the Music Program/Alzheimer Society of Toronto, and In Good Company.
Viewing will be held at the Bernardo Funeral Homes, 2960 Dufferin Street, Toronto on Friday January 14, 2022, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend but must reserve a time slot. Below, please click the blue RSVP button to reserve your time for visitation. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, 640 Glenholme Avenue, Toronto at 10 a.m., followed by burial at the Prospect Cemetery in Toronto.
His Story.
Denzil was born to devout and humble parents, Maria Victoria, and Clement Francis Stephens. Denzil was the eldest amongst his siblings, Wilfred, Peter, Shirley, Sydney and Sheila. Denzil studied at Saint Aloysius High School in Nagpur India and excelled in academics and sport. He went on to study Engineering and obtained many distinctions both locally and from the United Kingdom, having been sponsored by his employer Kilburns where he learnt the Art of The Deal under the direction of Mr. Jimmy Madan and made friends with Mr. Bahadur Postwalla. The two remained close friends till the very end. Kilburns was later taken over by Macneill and Magor and it is here he met with Mr. B.M. Khaitan and his family and worked with Macneill’s until retirement. At that time he immigrated to Canada to be with the rest of his family.
Denzil married Merlyn Millicent Thompson whom he met in Adra India. Merlyn was the fifth amongst her siblings, Wilfred, Melville, Herbert, Eustace 1, Eardley, Noreen, Henry, Vivian John and Eustace. It is said that Denzil was so in love with Merlyn he cycled many Kilometers daily just to see her and risked on many occasions his boxes being thrown out of his parent’s home if he was not back before sunset. This was during his apprentice days. He married Merlyn on January 29th, 1950, and the two celebrated their 50th year of marriage in Toronto Canada. They were truly golden years for Denzil, Merlyn and the family, Loraine, Derek, Theresa, Vivian John, Eugene, Douglas and Maree.
Denzil’s secret of success was built on solid foundation, God, family and work. He imparted to his children Biblical beliefs, principles and values and lived by setting the example himself. In a secular world it is so easy to follow the ways of the world and on many occasions, he has used the Biblical phrase, broad is the road that leads to destruction and death, narrow is the road that leads to peace and happiness. For 95 years of his life, Denzil walked the narrow road and was repaid a hundred-fold in doing so. Denzil’s repayment was both monetary and spiritual. Monetarily there was nothing more for him to achieve in his capacity as General Manager Marketing and Spiritually he tasted heaven on earth during his visits to the Holy Land where he went with his wife Merlyn to pay homage to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. This is the same journey undertaken by the Magi during the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Tradition holds they were from Iran, Zoroastrians.
Denzil never missed attending Mass daily and insisted on receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus. On this topic he was engaged in theological discussions with eminent theologians both from the Eastern and Western worlds. As well, he travelled to Rishikesh in India to meet with holy men and discuss the universality of God the Creator. Many years prior, the Beatles also travelled to Rishikesh in search of true Peace which appeared to have eluded them. Denzil found true Peace in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. This was a gift which many kings would long to have. His firm commitment to the Eucharist and in the Real presence of Jesus earned him the admiration of many priests and nuns and holy men of all denominations.
In the year 1986, Denzil was awarded with the Pope’s medal for his efforts in bringing Pope John Paul 11 to the nation of India. On the steering committee was his good friend from old, Mr. Bahadur Postwalla and the two along with Mr. B.M. Khaitan held a personal meeting and audience with the Pontiff in a classroom at Saint Xaviers College Calcutta. Family members had also been invited. The occasion was so monumental it continues to have a lasting impact on the lives of these families. “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church” is what the Pontiff urged. Denzil also had a very good and close relationship with Mother Theresa of Calcutta who lived just a few kilometers away from Denzil’s home which was later occupied by the French Embassy. Denzil was baptized as a Priest, Prophet and King and lived life in abundance. I come that you may have life and have it in abundance are words that hold true for Denzil who used his God given resources to help the community and perform works of charity.
The author Rev. Dr. A Joseph Lazar in his best-selling book Be Not Afraid, I Am With You Always accredits Denzil with a unique position within the worldwide Catholic Church. Denzil had the opportunity to meet with many canonized saints during their lifetime on Earth. A feat that may go unparallel for centuries to come. Denzil and his wife Merlyn were also given the rare opportunity by Almighty God to meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury during his visit to Calcutta.
Cardinal Picachy and Archbishop Henry D’souza were his close friends in India and many dinner meetings took place between the three. The Jesuit priests and in particular Fr. Huart and Fr. Bouche from Saint Xaviers School and College have thanked Denzil profusely for his involvement in providing computers and computerized technology for educational purposes. This was achieved by kind and gracious donations from businesspeople in India including Mr. B.M Khaitan.
Denzil’s truly great achievement was not in mingling with the wealthy and nor was it in meeting Pope’s and saints on planet Earth. Denzil’s greatest achievement of all time are the many visits he made to the Holy Land. He has recalled with passion his visits to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth, Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus, The church of Nativity and The church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. To be able to see with his eyes the imagery Jesus would have seen, to walk the places Jesus would have walked have all resulted in the formulation and development of a personal relationship with the LORD who called Denzil to himself on January 9 – 2022. When asked about his accomplishments, without the blink of an eye he says, the greatest is his walk with the Lord. This he maintained till the very end even when under pressure and the pain of his afflictions in old age. His Alma Mater had always been in the Dunamis Power of Almighty God.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Denzil George Stephens Sunday January 9th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario