Talking Music and Family with Nelson Boaventura

Nelson Boaventura, Manager of Cemetery Services at Elgin Mills Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Centres, is rarely at his desk – and that’s just the way he likes it. A naturally social person, Nelson enjoys building genuine connections. Whether he’s stopping to chat with visitors paying respects to their loved ones or engaging with community members, his warmth and approachability have helped him form lasting relationships throughout the community.

Although Nelson grew up next to Prospect Cemetery, a career in death care wasn’t his obvious path. As the youngest of five in a hardworking Portuguese family, he was more familiar with his father’s construction business than the funeral industry. But his family life shaped him in deeper ways.

Nelson’s older sister lived with Down Syndrome and their relationship profoundly shaped who he is today. Growing up alongside her gave him a deep appreciation for equality and resilience. As a young adult, he dedicated his time to volunteering with local government programs like Adult Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) Industries, supporting individuals with Down Syndrome and other disabilities in advocating for their inherent worth.

“I feel incredibly privileged to have had a relationship with my sister,” said Nelson. “She was honest, funny and loved life. Being in a relationship with someone who is living with a disability or who might have other challenges creates opportunity for all of us to learn compassion and to be kind.”

Nelson's experiences with his sister not only shaped his perspective on life but also influenced his understanding of what truly brings fulfillment. This insight stayed with him as he navigated the challenges of adolescence and considered his own path forward.

“When I was in my late adolescence, my dad owned a disposal company,” said Nelson. “I had summer jobs separating garbage with my two other brothers and I hated it. I didn’t want to do it. I knew I needed to be in a job that would make me happy.”

At the age of 16 and with a freshly ironed shirt, he stopped into a funeral home to ask if he could hang around for the day.
“I’d never seen a funeral, but I thought I might be interested in the industry,” said Nelson. “I asked if I could be a fly on the wall. I wanted to see if I would like it.”

The rest was history.

Nelson joined the Mount Pleasant Group (MPG) in 1999 as a cremation centre coordinator and has steadily risen to oversee seven of the company's 10 cemeteries. Over the years, he has grown both personally and professionally, mentoring and supporting staff along the way. Through it all, death has remained a constant presence in his life. Personal experience has allowed him to easily connect with people, which is incredibly important to him. But his outlet has always been music.

Nelson started making music at 15, and for a time, his band was on the brink of a record deal. But as life unfolded – with the demands of family, marriage and his career – his priorities shifted. In 2018, the music called him back, and he joined a cover band called South of Wilson. They played at local venues and corporate events, enjoying every moment. While it’s been a few years since Nelson last performed, he has recently found his way back to songwriting.

“I’m working on some songs that I need to complete – it’s part of my bucket list. My goal is to release some of my material because none of it is out there right now,” said Nelson, whose daughters are 15 and 17. “My music style is similar to U2 meets The Clash, and some of my influences vocally are Bono mixed with Jon Bon Jovi – I can hit certain ranges like that.”

While Nelson works to get back to music, you will find him around Elgin Mills, doing what he does best: connecting with people. His appreciation for life is obvious, even in a profession surrounded by loss.