Obituary

 A funeral service for Paul Gibson and Elizabeth Gibson will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday March 19th, 2022 at St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church, 1399 Bayview Ave, East York, ON M4G 3A6

Those who wish to attend we kindly ask to RSVP at Register

If you would like to watch a recording of the service after you can view it Here

 

Paul’s family mourns his passing on Friday, January 14th at Idlewyld Manor, Hamilton, at the age of 89, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease

Paul was born in Guelph in 1932 and moved to Toronto when he was 13. He left high school at the age of 16 and worked as a type-setter for Canadian Press until the call to priesthood led to him to enroll at St. Chad’s Theological College in Regina, from which he graduated in 1956. He was ordained into the Diocese of Montreal that same year. Paul went on to study at Bishop’s University and Oxford University. He holds honorary degrees from the University of Emmanuel College, Saskatoon; Huron College, London; Vancouver School of Theology; Montreal Diocesan College; and Trinity College, Toronto. In 2006, he received the Cross of St Augustine, presented by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Paul was a university chaplain for nine years in England and Canada after which he served as Principal of the Hong Kong Union Theological College and Dean of St. John’s College, Hong Kong. After returning to Toronto in 1972 Paul began work as the national Liturgical Officer for the Anglican Church of Canada. During this time Paul contributed significantly to the Book of Alternative Services and Common Praise. Upon his retirement in 1998 Paul began teaching liturgy at Trinity College, University of Toronto. He is the author of six books.

In 1959 Paul married the love of his life, Elizabeth Home, at St. George’s Bloomsbury in London. Together, Paul and Elizabeth travelled the world, especially the south of France. They remained steadfast companions until Elizabeth’s death in 2020.

Paul was tragically predeceased by his son Mark.

He leaves behind his loving daughter Amanda Rogers and three beloved granddaughters, Harriet, Felicity and Leila Rogers. Paul is held in love by his sisters Ruth King and Elizabeth Nikitin, and by his nephews and nieces Gregory, John, Stephen (deceased), Jennifer and Jane and their families. As a world traveller for work and leisure, Paul had friends and colleagues across the globe. His loss will be keenly felt by his family and friends, as well as throughout the Anglican Community and far beyond.

Paul was a life-long learner, a courageous scholar and an advocate for social justice. His love of liturgy and music lit his path. Throughout his long life he inspired many people and helped bring about powerful and meaningful change in his work and his personal life.

Paul’s family would like to express their sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Idlewyld Manor, Hamilton, who cared for Paul as tenderly as if he was family.

In lieu of flowers donations to Parkinson Canada would be appreciated.

“The way of the Good Shepherd begins right here, in all the mess that we and our world find ourselves. It provides no final answer but only the intimation that the way may be found, and may only be found, on the way itself”. (Paul Gibson, 1994)

Rest in the Peace of the Lord.

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February 15, 2022
Phyllis Creighton
I send my heartfelt sympathy to you, Amanda, on the death of your father. Paul was such an engaging highly intelligent priest and we became friends when he came to St Philip-the-Apostle. We both worked on Primate Ted Scott's Task Force on Human Life, which produced Abortion, an Issue for Conscience, and I secured its publication authorized at the 1975 General Synod. When I wrote a book about donor insemination, based on task force discussions, Paul ensured I got the opportunity to present it to the Calgary General Synod in 1977. I was out of synods for a few years until Paul asked me to get myself elected to diocesan and general synods in 1983 to support the new Book of Alternative Services. He rightly foresaw there would be opposition from the traditionalist old guard, some from Toronto. It was the only time I ever used my professional status as an editor at the University of Toronto Press at General Synod, to assure members of the quality of its liturgical writing and beautiful language appropriate for worshippers in the late 20th century. The hymn book he created, Common Praise, has been a joy to me as a member of Anglican choirs until a couple of years ago. When in the late 1980s General Synod voted for a study on genetic developments, Paul asked me to pull together members of the Task Force on Human Life. But they would not commit to working on the issues, so I told Paul I'd failed. He responded that his job depended on getting the work done. So I wrote a book on complex scientific issues, Paul got it reviewed by some qualified scientists, and the book got published (Whose Child Is This...). And Paul nominated me for the Anglican Award of Merit, which the Primate, Archbishop Michael Peers, came to a service at St Philip's -- attended by the whole parish -- to give me. Paul was a cherished Anglican colleague! He also gave our family happiness! In one of our early conversations at St Philip's I mentioned I was going to buy a sailboat. He me about the Laser he had sailed in Hong Kong Harbour. I bought one and from the age of 43 until I was 81 I loved skimming around Muskoka Lake in my Laser. It's now being sailed by a nephew. When our daughter Jane died tragically as Mark did, it was your mother and father who understood.... When my husband Philip and I were going to Europe for a holiday, Paul gave us the contact for his favourite small hotel on the Left Bank in Paris, near the Jardin du Luxembourg. We loved it and had two holidays there. When Paul was teaching at Trinity College and I was Adjunct Faculty in Divinity, I met him occasionally at worship in the chapel and saw him struggling with walking. I cherish my memories, Amanda. Your father was an imaginative, gifted Christian leader. with a true heart and a poetic soul. I valued him as a friend. I'm sure you miss him deeply. In deepest sympathy, Phyllis Creighton
January 24, 2022
Andrew Chan, Archbishop of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui
Dear family of the Rev. Dr. Paul Gibson, I am sad to learn that our beloved colleague and brother Paul passed away on 14 January, 2022. On behalf of clergypersons and people of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, may I extend you all our condolence in Christ. Reading the life of Paul, he has shown that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed. Man took it, and sowed it in his own garden. In time, it grows up, became a large tree, and the birds of the sky found lodging under its shadow. By God’s grace, Paul was called to dedicate his life to holy ministry, and came to Hong Kong to serve as principal of the Union Theological College back in the 60’s and 70’s. The tree that he planted at St John’s College, Hong Kong blossomed, as many of us here today could attest: we are the birds who found comfort under its shadow, for many of the senior clergy who now serve in the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui were once students at the Union Theological College. Today, we are called to remember this treasured sower of seeds who came before us, as we give thanks to our Lord for the comforting blossom that he left behind in his garden. Paul moved to Hong Kong, and served as Principal of the Hong Kong Union Theological College and Dean of St John’s College. It was here that Paul made his first mark in Hong Kong, by training many of our clergy during the decade. As time would prove, this would not be the last time when Paul should look towards Hong Kong. After his stay, we thank God that he soon began working as a liturgical officer for the Anglican Church of Canada. He also started a part-time post at the Anglican Consultative Council; a post that would, with time, grow to become the co-ordinator for liturgy. He was also secretary to the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation. It was during this time that Paul served as editor of the Book of Alternative Services from 1982 to 1998, and manager of the Common Praise hymn book in 1998. As Anglicans, we know full well how much of our worship is shaped around the texts and music found in our liturgy books and hymn books, so it is not hard for us in Hong Kong to imagine the impact that Paul had on the Canadian Anglican Church! Through his dedication and hard work, Paul’s life could be felt in multiple and far-reaching corners of the church. As part of his work at the Anglican Consultative Council, Paul would find himself looking Eastwards once again in 2002, for that was when Hong Kong hosted the ACC12 meeting for the first time. It was my privilege to have such chance to work together with him in ACC12. His enthusiasm, friendship, leadership and wisdom are so impressive to us all of us while we were surprised that he still spoke a lot of Cantonese. For his life-long contribution to connecting the worldwide Anglican Communion, Paul was awarded the Cross of St Augustine by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2006. And now, as we remember this life-long scholar, this bringer of friendship, and this sower of seeds, we dedicate the life of our treasured Paul to our Lord. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory. May God bless you all.
January 20, 2022
Emily Mariconda
My condolonces to the entire family. Love peace and faith to you all during this difficult time. May God grant his soul eternal peace and May the good Lord hold "Uncle Paul" in his arms until one day when we will all meet again face to face. Emily M
January 19, 2022
The Rev'd C.Ray D. Fletcher
As a member of the clergy of the Anglican Church in Canada I remember Paul with affection. He was a mentor to many of us in liturgical studies as well as a compassionate and empathetic colleague.
January 19, 2022
Sister Constance Joanna Gefvert, SSJD
I give special thanks for Paul's long and faithful ministry at St. John's Convent in Toronto. He has had a profound influence on the worship, spirituality and theology of the Sisterhood. Those of use who were members of the community when he was still coming regularly on Sundays and major feast days (often alternating Sundays with his good friend the Rev. Don Anderson) remember the way he could make scripture come alive and relevant for our times through his brilliant preaching. For those of you who have not had the privilege of hearing him preach often, you can read his sermon collections in three books (one each for years A, B, and C in the lectionary cycle), entitled Briefly Stated and published by the Anglican Book Centre. We are praying for his family and all those who will miss his friendship and ministry, and we give thanks for the way he gave us a vision of a God of love, justice, and inclusion.
January 19, 2022
Rebecca Bisbee
Amanda Please accept my deepest condolences on your dad's recent passing. Please cherish the memories of your dear father and hold them close to your heart. We will all miss his independence, his wise words and his smile at Idlewyld Manor. I am honoured to have met him and spend time with him .....thank you. May he rest comfortably while being reunited with his wife. Rebecca Idlewyld Manor
January 19, 2022
R. Jane Winstanley
Such a patient and gentle man. I valued his quiet wisdom and guidance which he shared as we planned our weekly liturgy at Trinity College. Blessed to have known him.
January 19, 2022
Vanessa Rose Rottner
My heartfelt condolences to the family on the loss of Rev.Dr.Paul Gibson, I had pleasure of knowing him through the Anglican Church of Canada. His warmth, kindness and his extensive knowledge of church liturgy will be sadly missed. I had many discussions with him, a very find Priest and humanitarian. May light perpetual shine upon him and give him grace. He will continue his work in heaven and warmly look upon us, I am sure.