Carol Jean ORPHANACOS
ORPHANACOS, Carol Jean Carol was born at home in Edmunston, New Brunswick on February 17, 1941 to Tom and Jean (MacGillivray) Sawyer. She was the second of three children and is survived by both brothers Vaughn (Dana) and Ralph (Paula). Carol graduated from Ecole Superieure Cormier in 1959 with Honours and was the proud recipient of the Birk’s Medal of Leadership for Outstanding Leadership qualities throughout her high school years. Carol met and married Nick Orphanacos in 1961. Their children Stephanie (Ed), Karen, David (deceased), Christina (Pat) and Keatha (Paul) were born between 1962 and 1976. The couple relocated to Ontario in 1965. Carol joined the Ministry of Community and Social Services in 1966. Her first position was at the Ontario Women’s Guidance Centre in Brampton, now known as the Vanier Centre for Women. Her career carried her through many of the treatment and correctional centres of southern Ontario. These included the Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women, Elmcrest, the Oakville Assessment and Reception Centre that became the Syl Apps Youth Centre. She participated in policy development in Toronto in the Operational Support Unit attached to the Children’s Service Division of MCSS. She consulted to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in a study of Secure Custody. She travelled to Simcoe to become the Superintendent at Sprucedale School. Carol was contracted to provide support and direction to the Oxford Regional Centre and she proudly ended her career (2000) at the Genest Detention Centre for Youth. Carol’s deep seated empathy and belief in service to those less fortunate was a motivating force in her journey to change the system by making it better for those involved (staff and clients) and by bringing the concepts of equality and accountability to this sector. At her retirement, the representative of the Minister of Community and Social Services credited Carol and two of her peers (Dave Mason; Provincial Director and Les Horne; Provincial Advocate) as being the three individuals whose interpretation of the Young Offenders Act shaped it’s application for the rest of the Province. Carol’s legacy lives on in the lives of the many, who met her as troubled youth and moved forward to become successful members of the community. She worked with great dedication to her staff; providing guidance and mentorship was an aspect of her career that she most especially enjoyed. Carol was greatly loved by her Family and leaves behind 6 grandchildren (Brier, Mike, Steven, Alexandra, Nicholas and Grace), many nieces and nephews and a number of close friends who will miss her greatly. Carol suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in the early morning hours of March 6th and passed with grace from this the Hamilton General Hospital on March 10th, surrounded by her Family. Carol’s ashes will be interred in Antigonish Nova Scotia and a celebration of life will follow in July. The Family would like to thank all who have sent their condolences and most respectfully request in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to Haldimand-Norfolk Reach where families and children access services.