WICKENS, REV. EDWIN - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rev. Edwin P. Wickens. His wish to die at home with his family came true on Sunday, June 29th at 7:12 pm at the age of 96 years. He leaves his devoted wife of 71 years, Hazel Wickens of Calgary, sons Arnold of Moncton and Gene of Calgary, grandchildren Renee (Spencer) of Welch, Vancouver and Chadd Wickens of Calgary, great-granddaughters Olivia and Isabella of Vancouver. He was predeceased by brothers, Everett and Ernie and sisters, Eva, Besse, Dorthy, Irene and Florrie. Born in Maplecreek, Saskatchewan ranch country he was one of eight children. He graduated from Prophetic Bible Institute in Calgary Alberta in 1939 and later was ordained through the Apostolic Church of Canada. He came to New Brunswick in 1942 and evangelized in the Miramichi and Sussex area. It was in Sussex where he met Hazel Long and married in 1943. He leaves behind an extensive legacy of ministry and teaching throughout Canada but the mere mention of his name in the Maritime provinces calls to one’s mind words like: leader, teacher, mentor, integrity, faithfulness, discipline, spirituality, industrious, humility and respect – just to name a few. His wisdom and ability to illustrate practical Christianity was valued by all who heard him. He was best known for his WICKENS-ISMS, those one sentence, well-crafted expressions that would sum up the subject at hand with his own unique dry humour. He began ministering in Nova Scotia pastoring four churches simultaneously. McAdam and Moncton were privileged to have him pastoring their area. He retired from Gateway Cathedral in St. Stephen in 1984 after ten years of ministry leaving the congregation with a beautiful new building to worship in. He was also the principal of the United Pentecostal Bible Institute in Fredericton and superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church. Rev. Wickens was a man of many talents. Ed, with his two sisters and two brothers had their own orchestra. While his sisters play the piano, he would play the violin or guitar. Although he did not play the piano himself, he learned to tune pianos for “convenience sake” and tuned them for over thirty years. Age did not limit him: Building a house and motorcycling in his late sixties, learning computer and building cabinets in his seventies, developing and delivering a radio talk show in his eighties, and continuing to read and study into his nineties to name a few. We will miss his dry sense of humor, sharp mind and ability to “cut to the chase”. His influence, integrity, and life changing/life affirming insights into the scriptures that he so loved and generously and consistently shared with us have changed the life of many. As husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, minister, advisor and friend, he will be profoundly missed and fondly remembered.
A celebration of his life will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel on July 12th, 2014 at 2 pm, Rev. L. Moore, a close and dear friend officiating. Condolences, comments of memories can be shared at www.fostergardenchapel.ca or www.facebook.com. Rev EP Wickens (a community page).