John Stephens served for the British army in North Africa until the war ended in 1945. (Stephens Family)
John Solomon Stephens who passed away peacefully at age 98 in Toronto last month was a World War II veteran, having served for the British army in North Africa until the war ended in 1945.
He attended Trinity College and completed is studies at St. Anthony’s College in Kandy Sri Lanka.
Mr. Stephens married Rose in 1946. He worked at Noori Estate, Deraniyagala for a brief period. Apparently he did not like the estate life, so he moved to Colombo and was employed at De Soysa & Co. Ltd, and he also was in the Company cricket team. He was Treasurer of the Mercantile Cricket Association in the 1960s, during this time the present cricket grounds of the MCA was purchased. He was an active member of Colts Cricket Club and Treasurer of the Club for some time.
Mr. Stephens leaves his beloved wife Rose of 69 years, loving son Eugene, daughter Olga, daughter in-law Christobel, son in-law Lloyd, Granddaughters Mitchella (Dishan) and Annemarie and Great Grandson Zachariah.
