Rev. Joseph Sahadat BTH, MDiv, OM
February 16, 1949 – July 17, 2020
Peacefully, on July 17, 2020, Joseph Sahadat passed away at his home in Picton, Ontario, with Lynda, his wife of 28 years, at his bedside.
Born of Persian ancestry in a little village called Balmain, Trinidad, West Indies, he is predeceased by his parents, Miriam and Ben Sahadat, a brother, Samuel (Carol) of New York, a sister, Wasilla Elliott (Don) both deceased, a sister Wahemah Mohammed (Noor) both deceased, a sister, Margaret Gaudette. He leaves his wife, Lynda, a brother, Professor Dr. John Sahadat (Lorraine) of Sudbury, Ontario, a brother, Ezekiel (Hazra) of Trinidad, a sister Joyce of Trinidad and several nieces and nephews.
Joseph was baptized when he was nine and educated at Naparima Boys School founded by Canadian Presbyterian Missionaries. In his last two years at Naparima, he attended St Andrew’s Theological College in preparation for youth and Sunday School formation. He travelled to Jamaica where he studied at the United Theological College of the University of the West Indies. He then returned to Trinidad to the Seminary of St John’s Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs on Mount Saint Benedict, at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies where he graduated with his Bachelor of Theology. Joseph’s formation led him to be a Liberation Theologian with a strong emphasis on social justice. He served in many pastoral charges in Trinidad and Jamaica as a student/lay minister.
Joseph came to Canada at the request of the All Nations Baptist Church in Sudbury, Ontario. He became ill with heart problems and a few months later in 1988, and had five coronary bypasses. Later on he learned that he needed to take studies at a Canadian University to become part of the Canadian milieu. He studied at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he graduated with the Master`s in Divinity (M DIV) and accepted ordination with the United Church of Canada in 1992. He accepted the call to Kapuskasing United Church in June 1990. In 1991, he met Lynda Parks , from Tweed, Ontario, who was working on contract at the Sensenbrenner Hospital in Kapuskasing, Ontario. They were married on May 30, 1992 and have enjoyed 28 years together . He introduced soccer to the community and coached both English and French High Schools and won the Coach of the Year award in 1995. Joseph opened a community food bank, was the Chaplain of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 85, Kapuskasing and won a seat on municipal council and delivered on his promise of providing clean water.
Joseph and Lynda were missionaries with the Presbyterian Church in Grenada from 1996-1998. Due to Joseph’s illness, they returned to Canada and their home in Picton, Ontario where Joseph did pulpit supply and preaching in the Belleville Presbytery and was a Voluntary Associate Minister at the Picton United Church. Twice, he ran for a seat as a Member of Parliament in the Hastings & Prince Edward Riding: once as an Independent and once for the Green Party. As well, he volunteered at Health Sciences North when he and Lynda lived in Sudbury and was member of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary .
During Joseph’s 47 years of ministry, he embraced his faith on the basis of Isaiah 30:15 “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength”. He maintained his relationship with God in devotion on a daily basis. Joseph is cherished and will be missed.
A private family service has taken place with internment in the Victoria Cemetery, Tweed, Ontario. Due to the restrictions surrounding the COVID -19 pandemic, a celebration of Joseph’s life will be held at a future date.
At Joseph’s request, donations in his memory can be made to the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, Dancing with Parkinson’s Programme, 196 Palmer Road , Belleville, On.
Arrangements entrusted to the Whattam Funeral Home, 33 main St., Picton, ON.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rev Joseph Sahadat BTH MDiv OM February 16 1949 July 17 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Picton, Province: Ontario