John Edward (Jackie) Stephenson
Born In: Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: December 25th, 2011
John (Jackie) Stephenson, 77, of Sydney, a well known Tenor passed away Dec. 25, 2011, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Born in Sydney Mines, he was the son of the late Edward and Dorothy (Gillis) Stephenson.
Jackie worked at CNR and then left home to go to Boston to study at the New England Conservatory of Music. He worked for Jordan Marsh Co. as a buyer, then went into the hotel business in New York and later worked for the Famous Leona Hemsley at the Hemsley Hotel. He then came to Halifax and Worked for the Chateau Halifax for 16 years and was known as the singing Bellman. Jackie was very active in the Rotary show’s in Sydney and acted in a number of concerts.
He was a soloist in the Presbyterian Church Choir, and was very active in Boston Music Circles and gave his recital at the Boston Symphony Hall. Jackie sang for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society in Halifax.When he returned to Sydney in 1996 he formed three choirs Kiwanis Golden K, Cape Breton Gospel Choir, Cape Breton District Masonic Choir, and the Cape Breton Trio with Louise (Honey) Mann and Don Crouse. Jack was a member of Sydney Masonic Lodge #84 and was a 32 Degree Mason and a Shriner.
He is survived by sisters, Marion MacKeigan, New Jersey, Jean (Arnold) Campbell, Glace Bay, Shelia (Ross) MacLeod, Sydney, Barbara Ann Meara, Boston, and Donna (Michael) Hasluk, Westville; brothers, Robert ‘Bo’ (Joan) , Sydney River, Gillis (Judy) Leamester, Mass.; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jackie was predeceased by sisters, Eleanor MacQueen, Sandra Stephenson, and a brother, Rolland in infancy.
Visitation will be today (Wednesday) 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Sydney Memorial Chapel. Funeral service to be held at St. Andrews United Church, Thursday at 7 p.m. with Rev. Stephen Mills, Rev. Thomas Whent and Rev. Ritchie Robinson officiating. Interment in Hardwood Hill Cemetery. There will be a Masonic Service held at St. Andrews United Church at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
