Obituary of The Reverend Canon Alan Ferguson

Passed away peacefully to join the saints on November 1, 2017 at Shepherd Lodge at the age of 85. Alan led a full and rewarding life, but was challenged by Alzheimer’s Disease in his last four years. Beloved husband of Marilyn (nee Davis), devoted father to Amy (Brian Budd) and Michael (Lana), and playful Grandpa to Michaela, Blythe, Paige and Carly. Born on October 6, 1932 in Toronto to May and John Ferguson, brother to the late Rev. David Ferguson (Sheila) and Jean (Bob McGinley).  Brother-in-law to the late Peggy Profit (Keith) and the late Ted Davis (Michelle), and loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Alan grew up in the parish of St. Aidan’s in the Beach where he was ordained Deacon on May 6, 1962 for the Diocese of Saskatoon, as he had offered his ‘unattached’ self to serve in a place where it was difficult to attract clergy , and set off to Holy Trinity Mission (6! small parishes in rural Saskatchewan.)   He was ordained Priest on Dec. 21 of that same year in Saskatoon, and served the Mission for 5 years, until he returned to Toronto in 1967 as Associate priest at St. Clement’s, North Toronto – now married to Marilyn and brand-new father to Amy.   Michael arrived in 1968, and in mid-1970 the family were off again to more remote parts, Thompson, Manitoba, for 6 wonderful years in the parish of St. James.   He returned to Toronto as Rector of St. Bede’s, Scarborough for 3 years; then as Rector of St. Margaret’s, Etobicoke for 9 years, and finally as Rector of St. Timothy’s, North Toronto for another 9 years until he retired.  Moving to Aurora we became part of community of Trinity, Aurora, where Alan ministered as a part-time staff member for the next 10 years, free from the duties of parish administration, and able to just do what he truly loved – be a pastor to people.   After his 2nd retirement party, he continued to serve as an Honorary Assistant, particularly enjoying taking services at the local nursing home, mentoring his friends at the A.B.L.E network, and doing the Tuesday “bread-run” for Welcome Table.

In his spare time, he enjoyed tending his gardens – flowers, fruits and vegetables, and lots of garlic – and following Jesus’ vocation of carpentry, frequently making furniture for the house. He enjoyed tennis as a young man, and taught both his children to play, and exercised regularly all his life, doing his “power walks”, and riding his bicycle to do parish visiting when he could.  After retirement he took up cooking – baking bread, making fruitcake (and aging it for years!) and making jams, jellies and especially Seville orange marmalade - and he finally returned to piano lessons now that he had time to practice.  His grandchildren began to arrive just as he retired and he loved to play with them, building igloos in the winter and having water fights in the summer.

Visitation will take place on Friday, November 3 from 5-9 pm at Ogden Funeral Home, 4164 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto, and on Saturday, November 4 from 1-2 pm at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, 70 Silver Birch Ave, Toronto, followed by the funeral service at 2 pm at St. Aidan’s.   If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, or a charity of your choice.