Brother Kevin (Matthew J. Garvey), C.Ss.R., died the early afternoon of Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at The Houses of Providence, Toronto, Ontario. Brother Kevin was born on February 05, 1921, in Buckingham, Quebec. His first profession of vows as a member of The Congregation of The Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) took place on March 15, 1957. Brother Kevin professed final vows on March 15, 1960.
Brother Kevin’s area of specialty was as a Carpenter. He built chapels, shrines, tables and chairs; renovated houses and repaired churches. He was also a wonderful Sacristan and enjoyed working in maintenance. Brother Kevin exercised his skills in various parts of Canada. 1957 – 1958, at St. Alphonsus Seminary, Woodstock, ON. 1958 – 1959, St. Gerard’s Novitiate, Keswick, ON. 1959 – 1963, St. Mary’s College, Brockville, ON. 1963 – 1968, Holy Redeemer College, Windsor, ON. 1968-1969, St. Alphonsus Parish, Whitbourne, Newfoundland. 1969-1972, St. Teresa’s Parish, St. John’s, NL. 1972 – 1974, St. Patrick’s Parish, Toronto, ON. From 1975 – 2010, Brother lived in semi-retirement at the Provincial Residence, Toronto, ON. From 2010 – 2012, he lived in retirement at St. Patrick’s Parish, Toronto, ON. Brother Kevin moved to Providence Centre, a long-term care facility, in 2012.
Brother Kevin came from a large family. He is survived by a brother, Regis Garvey, of Ottawa, ON and by three sisters; Sr. Clarice Garvey, O.L.M., Toronto, ON., Claire Hawkes, Aylmer, Quebec, and Mary Burke, Kitchener, ON, along with numerous nieces, nephews and relatives. Brother Kevin was a proud Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Viewing will take place at St. Patrick’s Parish, 131 McCaul Street, Toronto, ON on Monday, August 29, 2016, commencing at 8:30 AM. A Mass of Resurrection will follow at 10:00 AM. A reception follows immediately in the parish hall. Interment afterwards at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery, Toronto, ON. May Brother Kevin rest in the peace of Christ.