CHRISTIE, REVEREND G. HOWARD - Reverend G. Howard Christie at the age of 93, died peacefully at his home in Cobourg, Ontario. He was the husband of Marion Lanktree, and predeceased August 5, 2006, by Dorothy Christie (Wilson), the mother of his five children: Robert, Kenneth, Karen, David and Donald. Howard was born in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, into a Clergyman's family, Rev. George A Christie, and lived in Alberton, and York, PEI, Chatham NB. He taught School before attending Mt. Allison University, graduating in 1944. He was ordained at Pine Hill Theological College, as a minister of the United Church of Canada. Howard's ordination by the maritime Conference was special in that his father, who had been president the previous year, was granted the privilege of ordaining his son. A very moving experience for both him and his Dad. His first congregation was at Jerusalem, NB. He served in Hunter River, and Charlottetown, PEI, as assistant Minister of Trinity United, where he helped organize outreach to a new congregation and build the Park Royal United Church. Then he moved to the Fredericton Presbytery where he was the minister at Marysville and Penniac United Churches, from 1958 to 1966. Howard then moved to Boston to study for a degree in Pastoral Counselling and Chaplaincy. He was appointed to the Montreal General Hospital and later to the Royal Victoria Hospital, department of Pastoral Services. During his time there Howard led courses in Clinical Pastoral Education, and was involved in various training programs for volunteers. His main focus was his direct involvement with the many bed patients, as well as Psychiatry. He retired in 1986. He had joined St. Lambert United Church and later served as Minister Enumerates, from 1969 to 2007. After retirement, Howard and Dorothy enjoyed numerous travels abroad, and were tour leaders for church trips to Israel. He also made trips to Europe, the Oberammergau Passion Play two times, visits to his missionary daughter Karen, in South Africa, visits to China, and to his son David's home in Texas.
The funeral will be held at Trinity United Church in Cobourg on November 22 at 11 am with visitation from 10:30 to 11 am. There will also be a memorial at St. Lambert United Church in Montreal on November 25. A graveside service will be held in Fredericton, N.B. in the spring. Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com.