On Friday, March 18, 2022, Robert William Stephens, 49, died young and unexpectedly in his hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts.
He was born at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts on January 28th, 1973. He is the son of Patricia Margaret Stephens of Millbrook First Nation, Nova Scotia and the late Robert William Rose.
Robert was Licensed as a Master Barber in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the founder and owner of Robert’s Family Barbershop in Norwood, Massachusetts. Robert was a well known storyteller amongst his community who liked nothing more than to comedically educate his friends and family, especially his children. While becoming a successful business owner, Robert notoriously insisted upon the educational success of his children and ensured their pursuit of happiness no matter the dream. He notoriously tended to satisfy that desire by carefully selecting schools for his children’s private education and often supporting his children’s musical, athletic, academic and professional careers with surprise instruments, surprise equipment, business advice, parental advice, and much, much more. He loved his kids dearly and was also an enrolled member of the Mi’kmaq Tribe who always stressed the importance of staying close to one’s culture. His favorite artists were Biggie Smalls, Snoop dogg and 2Pac. His favorite album was 2Pac’s album All eyez on me. He was a Shark Week enthusiast, and his favorite movie was undoubtedly the 1990 Crime Drama Goodfella’s, by Martin Scorsese. He also enjoyed taking friends and family to Six Flags, Red Sox Games, Disney Land, The Museum of Science and walking the Charles River.
He is pre-deceased by his close cousins Renee Stephens Marshall and Joseph “Joey” Michael Stephens, uncles Gordy and Michael Stephens, and his grandmother Rita Rose Stephens.
In addition to his mother Patricia, Robert is survived by his sons Robert William Stephens Jr. and Joseph “Joey” Michael Stephens II, daughters Michelle Porcaro and Adria Stephens, his grandchildren Giovanni Porcaro-Cappiello and Caramia Porcaro-Cappiello, brothers Karl Francis and Al Francis, brothers Richard Rose and Robert Rose, his favorite cousin Tabetha Stephens, and most especially the love of his life Tina Gallant.
A celebration of life ceremony is scheduled for 4:00pm on Saturday, April 2nd at Casper Funeral Home, 187 Dorchester Street, Boston, Massachusetts. It will be followed by a traditional Mi’kmaq memorial service lasting 3 days at The Millbrook Community Hall in the Mi’kmaq community of Millbrook, Nova Scotia. He will be buried close by in Sacred Heart Cemetery which is also located in Millbrook, Nova Scotia.
The family asks that all media inquiries or questions from journalist be directed to The Higher Circle at (617)-970-6925, and that donations for the Stephens family be made in leu of flowers to Millbrook Band Administration through Colin Bernard at (902)-897-9199 or [email protected]