In April 1995, Paul Candy joined Mount Pleasant Group (MPG) as a Grounds Foreman in Training at Beechwood Cemetery. With a background in horticultural landscaping, he thought it would be cool – and quiet – to work at a cemetery. He was right about the cool part but quickly learned that cemetery operations are anything but quiet.
“Working at a cemetery is about so much more than cutting the grass and preparing the landscape,” said Paul. “We’re preparing plots, training employees, dealing with equipment breakdowns, maintaining buildings, and clearing roads and sidewalks in the winter. There are a lot of moving parts – so much goes into running a cemetery.”
While Paul has certainly left his mark, he admits he didn’t think he would stay longer than two years. In the 1990s, formal training was limited, and he and his colleagues learned many aspects of the job on the fly – mistakes included.
“We stuck with it because there was so much change happening, and I couldn’t wait until the next season,” Paul said. “There was always something new and so many opportunities coming your way. That’s what kept me interested and motivated. It’s a great company.”
Thirty years later, Paul is not only an expert in cemetery operations and mausoleum development, but also a respected leader and a valued contributor to collective bargaining. Over the course of his career at MPG, he progressed through a series of leadership roles from Assistant Grounds Manager for Beechwood and Prospect Cemeteries to Grounds Manager for both sites, to Property Manager for Meadowvale and Elgin Mills, ultimately serving as Property Manager at Elgin Mills, where he oversaw a period of significant growth and development.
As he prepares to retire at the beginning of April 2026, marking a three-decade career in property management with the organization, Paul does so knowing he has helped shape the growth and future of the sites under his care.
“When I first started, people were still using typewriters,” Paul said. “There’s been so much growth and change over the years. We used to dig foundations by hand, and grass cutting was mostly done with walk-behind mowers instead of riding mowers.”
He also points to significant evolution in mausoleum construction.
“We completely changed the way mausolea are built – how crypts are sealed, the tools and materials we use. In the early days, we didn’t even include climate control. Now it’s standard. And today, we’re moving toward geothermal. The Evergreen Columbarium at Elgin Mills uses geothermal for heating and cooling as well as solar panels that generate more power than we consume, sending excess energy back to the grid.”
As Paul prepares to step away from his career, he reflects on the pride and gratitude that comes with maintaining spaces in perpetuity – seeing the small trees they planted decades ago now standing more than 30 feet tall.
For Paul, one of the greatest rewards of his career has been the opportunity to work outdoors and watch the cemeteries evolve over time.
“There’s something special about being outside every day – walking the grounds, seeing the trees, hearing the birds,” he said. “You can actually see the results of your team’s work and how things change year after year. I’ve always appreciated that.”
It’s that variety, he says, that kept the work engaging even decades in.
“After all this time, there were still new challenges and things I hadn’t encountered before. It’s hard to get bored when no two days are the same.”
Known for his easy-going nature, steady calm and sense of humour, Paul will be missed by colleagues across MPG. Still, he takes comfort in knowing the sites he’s cared for are in capable hands. As he looks ahead to retirement, he’s most looking forward to something simple: time.
“Having Saturdays free will be a big change,” he said. “Time with family and friends and not always having to problem-solve.”
Cooking dinner for his family and travel plans are also included in Paul’s retirement plans.
“I’ve been collecting recipes for a while now,” he said. “It’ll be nice to actually take my time cooking dinner instead of rushing and maybe go on some vacations along the way.”
MPG thanks Paul for his 30 years of dedication, leadership and care, and wishes him every happiness in a well-earned retirement.
