Crooks, Rev. Robert Alexander (Bob) – Truro


Rev. Robert Alexander Crooks, B.A., M.Div., A.Mus (McGill)

Died: April 5, 2015, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Robert Alexander (Bob) Crooks, beloved son of the late Thelma (Muggah) and George Crooks, was born March 7, 1931 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Bob’s early education was in Central School, Sydney and Sydney Academy. As a young man, he showed a great talent for music, studying both piano and organ and obtaining an Associate diploma in organ performance from McGill University. His university studies began at Prince of Wales College (Charlottetown), culminating in a B.A. from Dalhousie in 1956. He then pursued theology at Pine Hill Divinity Hall (Halifax), graduating with an M.Div in 1958. Bob was ordained by the Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada on June 10th of that year.

In 38 years of dedicated ministry, Bob served churches in all three Maritime Provinces (Elmsdale, P.E.I., Moncton and Fredericton, New Brunswick, Halifax, Nova Scotia) and in eastern Ontario (Cardinal, Belleville, Ottawa). He was president of Maritime Conference in 1983/4, Conference Organist for 10 years and both a commissioner and an executive member of the highest body of the United Church – its General Council.

Bob leaves a family deep in mourning and thanksgiving: his wife, life-long love and partner in all things Margery (MacLean), his four children – Jamie (Willa), Cathie, Chrissie (Robert) and Tim (Alison) – and his eight grandchildren – Bill and Sam, Sydney and Jackson, Whitney, Ellis and N’Kysha, and Lily. He leaves also his brother Roland (Jean), sister-in-law Marilyn, brothers-in-law Ian (Wilma), Sandy (Lila), Hugh (Norma) and Alan (Alison) and 17 nieces and nephews.

Bob’s parishioners will remember the benevolent thunder of his sermons, the inspiration of his own unshakeable faith, and the selfless dedication of his pastoral care. His family will remember, above all, his abiding love for them. We are called now to take up the example of his irrepressible humour and his seemingly effortless kindness. Anyone who heard Bob preach could attest his ability to ‘speak with the tongues of men and angels’. But, for us, he was above all a living embodiment of the knowing love celebrated in I Corinthians 13. Now, by that love, he sees God ‘face to face’.

Visitation will take place Thursday, April 9th, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the church parlor of First United Church, Truro. Funeral Services will take place Friday, April 10th at 2 p.m. at First United Church, Truro.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First United Church Restoration Fund, The United Church Camp Meeting Association at Berwick and/or Phoenix Youth Programs, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.