Sun Youth co-founder Sid Stevens dies at 85 after seven decades of community service
The organization said Stevens died Sunday surrounded by loved ones.
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Montreal Gazette
4 hours ago
- Montreal Gazette
Sid Stevens, Sun Youth co-founder and community champion, dies at 85
Sid Stevens, who co-founded Montreal's Sun Youth Organization and spent more than seven decades helping the city's most vulnerable residents, has died at the age of 85. Stevens launched what would become Sun Youth in 1954 alongside his childhood friend Earl De La Perralle, transforming a neighbourhood sports club into a vital support system for thousands. Sun Youth announced his death in a statement Monday. It said: 'It is with deep sadness that Sun Youth announces the passing of its co-founder, Sid Stevens, on Aug. 17, surrounded by his loved ones. A towering figure in Montreal's culture of solidarity, Sid dedicated more than 70 years to helping the most vulnerable, leaving behind an invaluable legacy.' The organization described him as a visionary who helped create Quebec's first food bank, pioneered home delivery services for those with reduced mobility and led emergency relief efforts. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante posted a tribute on X, saying she was saddened. 'A member of the Order of Montreal, he built an organization serving Montrealers. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.' Federation CJA also paid tribute, saying the Montreal Jewish community was 'deeply saddened by the passing of Sid Stevens, a visionary leader and co-founder of Sun Youth, whose tireless dedication to social justice and community service transformed the lives of countless Montrealers.' It noted his work supporting vulnerable families across Montreal, including members of the community. 'On behalf of the entire Montreal Jewish community, Federation CJA extends heartfelt condolences to Sid's family, friends, and the Sun Youth organization,' it said. 'May his memory be a blessing and an enduring inspiration to all who strive to build a more compassionate and equitable society.' His funeral will take place Thursday at 11 a.m. at Paperman & Sons (3888 Jean-Talon St. W. in Montreal). This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM.
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Sun Youth co-founder remembered for lifelong dedication to vulnerable Montrealers
Sid Stevens has died at 85. He founded the organization that would become Sun Youth, spending more than 70 years helping Montrealers.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Quebec senior without landline phone for 2 months as provider, Hydro-Quebec blame each other
Jean Furcall has been waiting for more than two months for her landline phone service to be fixed. (CTV News) A 92-year-old woman who lives near Sainte-Martine has been without her landline for more than two months and says she's caught between Hydro-Quebec and Bell — with each company blaming the other. Jean Furcall's home is in a wooded area, about 45-year-old kilometres southwest of Montreal, with poor cellphone reception. 'I depend on the telephone,' she told CTV News. 'Every day, usually, more than once a day for sure.' But for more than two months, all she hears when she tries to make a call is a dial tone. 'I just feel very isolated and don't feel safe,' she said. She says the phone stopped working when water damaged the equipment on the telephone pole in early June. Bell told her the pole was unsafe for crews to access because it was rotting and Hydro Quebec needed to repair the pole before Bell could fix the box. Both companies have come to the property several times, but the problem is still not fixed. 'Everybody has a little version of what needs to be done, what could be done, what should be done. But nobody's actually gotten through,' Furcall said. 'It's just gone back and forth and back and forth.' For now, her daughter, Valerie, has been handling the logistics for her mother and she's concerned for her mom's well-being. 'I'm the only one talking between Bell and Hydro,' Valerie said. 'The frustration has been worrying about my mother's safety and security.' Living in such a rural area means access to a phone line is imperative, in case something were to happen, like a fall or a medical emergency. The fact that it hasn't been operating for nearly 70 days is extremely concerning for the family. Furcall uses a device called a lifeline, which automatically calls 911 if she needs medical attention but it only works when it's connected to the phone. 'I'm really at the mercy of whatever happens here, which is scary,' she said. In a statement, Hydro Quebec says: 'We are sensitive to our customer's situation. The case is being handled by our teams, in collaboration with our partner Bell, in order to fully understand what happened and ensure that the customer's telephone service is restored as quickly as possible. Significant work has already been carried out by our teams, and further work will be carried out as soon as possible within the next two weeks to resolve the situation.' Bell, the parent company of CTV News, also provided a written statement about the repair. 'In this case, the delay to repair stems from a hydro pole that has been deemed unsafe. As a result, Bell technicians are unable to safely access our equipment to perform the necessary repairs to the customer's phone line. Bell reached out to Hydro-Québec to request the required work on the pole so that we can proceed with the repair,' the statement reads. 'We continue to follow up with Hydro-Québec and are now actively exploring alternative solutions to help accelerate the restoration of service. We are committed to resolving this matter as quickly and sincerely apologize to the customer and her family for the inconveniences causes by this situation. Bell will be crediting the customer for the time she's been out of service.' Meanwhile, the family is waiting by phone for the problem to be fixed.
