Mervyn Bowles

MERVYN GESNER BOWLES surrounded by his family passed away on Wednesday August 12, 2009 at the age of 65 at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, after fighting lung cancer for several months. Mervyn was born on August 24, 1943 in Amherst , Nova Scotia. He is pre-deceased by his parents James and Lillian Bowles and one brother Lewis (Buster) Ishmael. Mervyn, who worked hard in the Transportation Industry for over 40 years, was also an accomplished comedian and actor in his own right. He performed on stage and in several movies, television shows and commercials throughout the years. He always loved to entertain and was an extremely charismatic, fun loving, outgoing person who enjoyed his family and many friends. He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Beulah Bowles (nee Sparks), his sons Richard Bowles (Bowmanville), Randy Christopher Bowles (Hamilton), Jeffrey Mervyn Bowles (Toronto), Barry Anthony Bowles (Brampton), Michael Collin Bowles (Toronto), his two daughters, Kimberly Marsella Bowles (Toronto), and Crystal Gail Bowles (Toronto), one step daughter Leslie Bowles-Gaudet(Toronto). Seven grandchildren, Cody Bowles, Jacob Bowles, Dejanee`Bowles, Joseph Bowles, Chauntaya Bowles, Breanna Bowles, and Mickael Bowles. Two Daughters-in-law, Monica Bowles (wife of Jeffrey) and Donnette Bowles (wife of Michael). He is also survived by three brothers, Robert Ishmael (Atlanta, Ga), Wayde (Rocky Johnson) Bowles (Davie, Fla) and James (Ricky Johnson) Bowles Jr. (Toronto). He was also a beloved uncle to several nephews and neices, including Curtis Bowles whom he viewed like a son.



The Mervyn Bowles Tribute
Tribute to Bowles

To my loving brother who I shared birthdays with for 65 years. Just one year and a few hours to the exact day August 24th. Mervyn and I shared birthday parties with cake, cupcakes and homemade ice cream that our mother made and oh how we enjoyed. He tried so hard to hang on to go back to Amherst, Nova Scotia for one last birthday party together. Sheila and I came to Toronto three weeks ago to take Mervyn back to Amherst for the last time. Then he wanted to come to our home in Missouri, to visit our home in Florida and then for us to bring him back to Toronto for his final doctors appointment in September. He told me it would be his final curtain call. Mervyn knew he was getting ready to go home to be with the Lord. When we arrived in Toronto and met Mervyn, Sheila and I knew in our hearts that Mervyn wasn’t strong enough to go down home. We hugged and kissed Mervyn. We went and asked the family if we could take Mervyn for a few days. We went and got a suite at the hotel and what a wonderful four days we spent. He told Sheila, Curtis and I stories about our childhood both the good and bad memories. Oh how we laughed. Mervyn had a memory like an elephant. Many of the stories I had forgotten. He asked Sheila, “do you remember last year when I called you after watching Rocky become the first Black Canadian Wrestler in history to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and the First World’s Heavy Weight Champion” and she said, “yes Mervyn I was there”.He laughed saying, “I’m so proud of Rocky”. Mervyn was a proud man. I would ask, “Mervyn are you in pain?” His answer was always, “I have no pain at all”. Yet we knew he was in pain and we knew it was just a matter of time. He would ask, what our plans were for each day. Our answer was always wherever you want to go Mervyn. We could see he was getting weaker by the day. The phone rang around 6 a.m. He asked, “who’s calling this hour of the morning”. I said, “I don’t know it’s for you a voice said, stay strong Uncle Mervyn its your Nephew Dwayne you can beat this, I love you very much”. Mervyn sat straight up in bed it was like he saw an angel they talked for about 10 minutes. When he hung up he said, “that was my nephew Dwayne”. We said, “yes we know”. He laid back down with a big smile on his face, however, he just laid there, forget sleep he was too excited, Sheila, Curtis and I could see he was failing very fast and it was time for him to spend his remaining days with his family, although it broke our hearts we could not be selfish we had to let him be with his family. Sheila and I both kissed Mervyn goodbye knowing we would be back very soon. So now your in God’s hands and, we know when it’s our time you will be their waiting with open arms and a big smile for Sheila and I. We already know that you have reserved a special place for Sheila and I. Mervyn is telling others to move over this space is reserved for my brother Rocky and my sister-n-law Sheila. So until we meet again Mervyn we love and miss you.