Obituary of Canon Emery Harris

HARRIS, Rev. Canon Emery Gordon – 83, Berwick “Come unto me all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you” Matthew, 11: 28 Words are incapable of conveying the deep sadness and loss felt by so many on the passing of the Rev. Canon Emery Harris on February 2, 2013 at age 83. Canon Harris devoted his life to serving God and humanity in his decades of Ministry. Emery was a strong, gentle and inspiring father, devoted and loving husband, and dear friend to the countless souls fortunate to have had him in their life. Emery was a true gift from God, dedicating his life to guiding others through the many travails and burdens this world presents in the course of a lifetime. Where there was pain, Emery eased it; where there was doubt, Emery eliminated it; where one fell, Emery extended his hand to help one stand again. Emery guided many families through grief and rejoiced with them in their better days. All came to see the kindness in his soul which burned bright with love. Emery was born August 11, 1929 in Halifax, Nova Scotia to George Gordon, of Halifax, and Violet Estelle (Cummings), of Quoddy. Following tradition, he was given the name of his godfather. Emery grew up on Preston Street in Halifax and attended the LeMarchant Street School and then Queen Elizabeth High School. Emery’s father, Gordon, was a typesetter with the Halifax Herald, and Emery as a young man once had the largest paper delivery route in Halifax, often running his route with full bags of papers. Emery was an elite track and field athlete at QEH, winning numerous competitions and contending for a spot on the Canadian Olympic sprinting team. Emery attended the University of King’s College and was ordained to the Ministry in 1958. Emery served as a Chaplain in the Canadian Navy, and then began his loving devotion and service as Rector at numerous parishes in Nova Scotia beginning with the Parish of Maitland including St. Peter's in Upper Kennetcook, followed by Christ Church in Dartmouth, Emmanual Anglican Church in Spryfield, Church of the Holy Spirit in Dartmouth (including St. Andrew’s in Cole Harbour), and Holy Trinity Church in Bridgewater (including Conquerall Mills and Conquerall Bank). Emery was Program Director for the Diocese of Nova Scotia, Chairman of the National Program Committee of the Anglican Church, and a past Chairman of the Board of Governors Atlantic School of Theology. Throughout his life Emery mentored and guided numerous clergy starting out in their careers, and inspired many others to become clergy with his example of strength and compassion. The imprint of Emery’s influence on the Church will be felt for many generations to come. In retirement, Emery remained active in the Church as an assistant in the parishes of St. James the Apostle in Guelph, Ontario and Christ Church in Berwick. Emery was also a constant builder: out of his carpentry, brickwork, landscaping and gardening came countless works of lasting beauty and value, and many places of solace and quietude, for all of those he loved. Emery is survived and dearly missed by his brother, the Rev. Ronald Harris (Gwyneth), and by his wife Ruth Ann (Morse) of Berwick. Emery was predeceased by his first wife, Frances (Oickle) (1929-1980), and daughter Melinda (1952-1962). Emery was also a loving, compassionate and inspiring father to Jessie Earlene Doucette (Neil), Beverly Skripal, Thomas Archibald, Susan Archibald, Wallace Archibald, Jonathan Archibald, Stuart Archibald and David Archibald,Uncle to David Harris, grandfather to Tristan, Candice, Melinda, Lily, Samuel, Graham, Simon, Ian, Gregory, Ann, Frances, Doulton, Shelby and Hunter, and great-grandfather to Hannah, Shaun and Ethan. Emery dearly loved all humanity, and the world is all the poorer for his loss. Visitation will take place Wednesday February 6 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 192 Commercial Street, Berwick, . Funeral service will be at All Saints Cathedral in Halifax at 11 a.m. Thursday February 7, followed by interment at Berwick Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Anglican church hall in Berwick following the interment. Donations may be made in Emery’s name to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Foundation, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund or the Canadian Cancer Society. Donations and condolances may be sent c/o H.C.Lindsay Funeral Home, P.O Box 355 Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 3X1