Born, Velky Ruskov, Slovakia,
at 16 years, Stephen Roman, below, decided to immigrate to Canada. When
he first came to Canada, young Stephen worked as a farm labourer before
enlisting in the Canadian Armed Forces, 1942. After developing a medical
condition, he was discharged, 1943, disappointed that he was unable to
help free his conquered homeland. Going from farm labourer to foundry worker
to munitions employee, eventually to speculating investor and financier,
Stephen Roman went on to become the founder, Denison Mines. During his
day, it would become the largest independent uranium mining company in
the world. He was a Canadian delegate to the Atlantic Community Conference,
1962. There, Mr. Roman introduced a resolution calling for all governments
of the Free World to confront growing Communism by working together to
assist less fortunate countries to attain economic and political stability.
Recipient of honorary degrees from St. Francis Xavier University and University
of Toronto, Mr. Roman was made Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory
the Great by Pope John XXIII and was made a Member of the Order of Canada,
1988. A former Director, John G. Diefenbaker Memorial Foundation, formerly
Director, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, Honorary Member, Royal
Canadian Military Institute, and Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Inductee,
1977, Stephen Roman was the spearhead behind the vision and building of
the Slovak Cathedral of the Transfiguration of our Lord, Unionville, Ontario.
Consecrated by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, 1984, before it was completed,
the Cathedral, today, is a prominent landmark north of Toronto. In this
view, Mr. Roman, July 1986, surveys the second largest bell peal in the
world. One of three bells is waiting to be hoisted into the 210 foot central
tower, a triumphant monument signifying renewal and hope, and a reminder
that Stephen Roman, who died in 1988, never forgot his Slovak spiritual
heritage. [Photos, courtesy Helen Roman-Barber/The Toronto Star]