Lionel Challenger

Lionel Ebenezer Challenger

March 24, 2026

Lionel Challenger, aged 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, Ontario surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born on February 4, 1943, in Tabernacle, St. Kitts (WI), the eldest son of eight children born to Aaron and Olive Challenger. The Challenger family moved to Basseterre, St. Kitts, when Lionel was eight years old. At 19, as a police officer (#184), he met the love of his life, Rita, and later followed her to Canada. They were married in Montreal, Canada on July 29, 1967. They were blessed with 59 years of marriage. Lionel is survived by his wife, four children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, and his three living sisters.

After a fulfilling career at Purolator, Lionel retired and focused his time on spiritual development of himself and numerous others. Lionel was a devout follower of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and joyfully served as spiritual mentor, prayer warrior, and friend to many. At the young age of 80 years old, he answered a lifelong call and became ordained as a Pastor. Whether a person was a stranger, brother or sister in Christ, or lifelong friend, if the Holy Spirit moved him, Lionel would obediently answer the prompt to pray for, or with them. He never missed the opportunity to intercede in prayer for anyone who needed it.

Lionel had a sweet tooth and was well known among his Mississauga 55+ Seniors Group for his unparalleled food plate and takeaway container which could include chicken, a slice of cake,

salad, fruits, lasagna, a bun with a bowl of ice cream on the side. Despite this, he remained lean and fit through the joy of dancing the twist, power walking, and maintaining a prayer stance for hours to fulfill every prayer request he received.

Lionel will be remembered as a beloved Husband, Father, Papa, Brother and Friend.

He will be missed by his wife, children - Nigel, Tracey (Charles), Trevor (Son), and Lori, grandchildren - Anique (Darius), Paul (Marie), Jonathan, Justin (Krysten), Anthony (Natty), Oneshia, Alex, Sebastian, and Ethan, great grandchildren – Maya and Kalia, sisters – Pearline (deceased), Sadie, Nell, Mary, Martha (deceased), Don (deceased), Dave (deceased), extended family and many friends.

Lionel's life was a blessing, and he will be dearly missed by all his loved ones.

May his Soul Rest in Eternal Peace and the Perpetual Light shine upon him for ever more. Amen.

Psalm 23: 4

A funeral service in celebration of Lionel’s life will be held at North Bramalea United Church in Brampton on Thursday, April 2, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice.