Gordon MacDermid
Lieu de naissance : Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de naissance : 22 septembre 1939
Lieu de décès : Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date de décès : 3 mars 2009
Gordon MacDermid died peacefully at Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, on Tuesday afternoon.
Gordon was raised in Westmount, N.S., before venturing out to earn his B.A. at Mount Allison University and his M.Div. at Pine Hill Divinity Hall in Halifax. In 1961, he was ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada. His first pastoral charge was West Bay, N.S. After completing his Ph.D. in Church History at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, he returned with his young family to join the faculty at Pine Hill Divinity Hall in 1967. His association with the school, which became part of the Atlantic School of Theology, continued for 33 years and saw him take on a variety of roles and challenges there. During that time he also served for five years as minister for St. Andrew’s United Church in Halifax. Too young to retire at 60, he moved west to occupy the office of the Dean of Theology at the University of Winnipeg until 2005. Throughout his career he was active at different levels in the United Church and was, for many years, on the board of the Association of Theological Schools, which afforded him many welcome opportunities for travel. After retiring, he continued to contribute to the community. The peace movement was especially important to him among the many social issues that drew his attention and energy.
His passion for life manifested itself in his zeal for lively debate, his habit of staying in motion, his curiosity about people and his delight in their diversity. He enjoyed the feel of a fountain pen on paper, the taste of single malt scotch, the sound of Leonard Cohen’s songs, and the sight of the highlands of Cape Breton. Gordon possessed a rare intellect, abundant compassion, extraordinary humour, and sesquipedalian vocabulary, gifts he readily shared with all who cared to receive them.
Gordon was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Katherine (Morrison) MacDermid of Wreck Cove, N.S.
He is survived by his children, Graeme, Heather (Barry Meston), and John (Meaghan Seagrave); their mother, Pam MacDermid; his brother, Allison (Jane); his sisters, Mary and Anne and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also remembered by the many close friends he cherished in his life.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 9, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Sydney Memorial Chapel, 49 Welton St., Sydney, N.S. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 1 p.m., at Westmount United Church in Westmount, N.S., with Rev. Genevieve Trudel officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall. Burial will take place at Oceanview Cemetery, Birch Plain, N.S.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gordon’s memory can be made to the peace initiative of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
