Obituary of Rev. Roy Upton
UPTON, Roy Eldon, of Toronto Ontario, the weary warrior of 97 years, laid down his armor and entered into his eternal rest with his Lord and Saviour at the Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg Ontario on Friday, 27 August 2021 after a sudden illness.
Roy is predeceased by his parents George and Marie Upton and survived by his brother Gordon Upton. Roy was married to Maisie (Morrison) who passed away in 2002 and was then married to Vera (Quinton) who passed away in 2018. Roy was the father of David Upton of Cobourg Ontario, and grandfather to Geoffrey Upton (deceased) and Katie Upton. Kenneth Upton of Kitchener Ontario, and grandfather to Laura Gawne and Jordan Upton, and great grandfather to Oliver and Noah Gawne. Roy was also pre-deceased by his middle son, Gordon Upton. Dad/Grandpa/GG left a profound impact on members of his family and will be deeply missed - until that new day.
Roy was born in Eston, Saskatchewan on May 11, 1924, the eldest son of Rev. and Mrs. George R. Upton. Roy joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 and served as a Clerk Accountant. His military service took him to various Air Force bases in Canada. Following discharge after the cessation of hostilities, and after a spiritual conflict as to whether he would accept an offered position with the British American Oil Company or enter the ministry, Roy enrolled at Eastern Pentecostal Bible College, (now Masters’ College and Seminary) choosing ministry. At college, he met and married Maisie Morrison of Hamilton, Ontario. They raised three sons: David, Gordon, and Kenneth. Gordon was tragically killed in a car accident in 1979. Following graduation in 1949 Roy and Maisie accepted the pastorate in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, where they served for two years. Feeling the call to Evangelism, Roy resigned and entered Evangelistic ministry. Their travels took them throughout Canada, Great Britain, and several other European countries. Following return to Canada, Roy felt a call to pioneer a church in the eastern suburb of Toronto, where no Pentecostal church had been established. In 1956, with District and National assistance, they purchased property on Markham Road, just north of Lawrence, and Scarborough Gospel Temple came into existence. Roy remained as pastor for ten years before accepting an invitation to Glad Tidings Church in Victoria, B.C. The Scarborough congregation has since become Global Kingdom Ministries, relocating further north near the 401 on Markham Road. In 1969, Roy accepted a position as Promotional Missionary Secretary, operating out of our National Office in Toronto, being involved in several committees, and serving also as the Editor of the Pentecostal Testimony. In 1975 Roy accepted a call to Kitchener Gospel Temple, ultimately serving as the Assistant District Superintendent of Western Ontario. In 1983, Roy and Maisie were invited by the Overseas Missions Dept. to go to Nairobi Kenya to Pastor the great Valley Road “Christ for the Nations” congregation and to supervise the construction of a new 4000 seat sanctuary. On the opening Sunday, there were three services, each one filled to capacity. This continued during their ministry in Africa.
Returning to Canada, Roy engaged in Interim Pastoral Work with multiple churches in pastoral transition. He also enjoyed his time at the family cottage at Lakeshore Pentecostal Camp in Cobourg Ontario where he had great fellowship with camp friends there.
Roy leaves behind a legacy of Christian Service, multiple friendships, a loving family, many hobbies, and will be deeply missed by many who knew him.
We celebrate his life at this time.
