In this season of giving thanks for all the saints we give thanks for the life, faith and witness of the Rev. Canon George Sutherland who died early this morning surrounded by the prayers of the church and the love of his family.

Canon George lived to the wonderful age of 98 and was well until the last two years of his life.  A priest until the end he was one of the longest serving priests at All Saints’ in Huntsville from 1954 to 1990- 36 beautiful fruitful years encompassing years of great growth in the church.

Prior to his incumbency at All Saints’, he served at St. Paul’s in Wawa (1951-1954). In 1953 he took a year’s leave from Algoma to complete graduate studies in New York. He returned to Wawa after that and saw the completion of the Church and the rectory.

Canon Sutherland moved from St. Paul’s Wawa to All Saints in 1954. Part of his legacy in Algoma are the building projects he facilitated. In 1964 , under the guidance of Canon George Sutherland, the chapel within All Saints’ Church was built and an addition made to the organ loft , so the new pipe organ could be installed.

He was Rural Dean of Muskoka from 1961-1967 and Archdeacon of Muskoka from 1967-1975.

He retired in 1990 but still remained very active in ministry.

In 1989, All Saints’ Church Parish Hall, erected in 1905, was named Sutherland Hall on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his ordination in honour of the Rev. Canon George Sutherland and his wife Jean for their devoted service to the church, the parish family and the Huntsville Community for over a span of 35 years.

Canon George  is predeceased by his beloved wife Jean in 2018; he leaves his seven children: Mark, Greg, Marion, Anne, Janet , Robert, Catherine, their spouses, fifteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Archbishop Anne spoke with Canon George’s son Greg this morning. Of his father Greg said, “He was a great dad and we are very fortunate to have had him for so long. He lived such a good healthy life.”

An obituary will be forthcoming from Mitchell’s Funeral Home. A funeral service presided over by the Venerable Kelly Baetz will be held at All Saints’ on Monday 27th November at 11am.

We give thanks for everything about Canon George’s life that inspires us and for every way in which it continues to speak to us today, giving thanks for all those who were ministered to by Canon George.  We pray for those who mourn his death, especially the parish family of All Saints’ in Huntsville.

From the Ven. Kelly Baetz –

“Having begun his ordained ministry in Thunder Bay, Canon Sutherland went on to serve as Rector of All Saints’ Huntsville for well over thirty years.  The parish hall bears his name.  He is still fondly remembered not only by the congregation but by the community at large.”