Eldon Hay
1931-2017
With full and grateful hearts the family
announce the death of Eldon Hay on
September 17 in Sackville, New Brunswick. Eldon Roy Hay was born on
December 15, 1931 on a farm in Marvelville, a small community near
Ottawa. Eldon was the middle child of three children of George Hay and
Anna Carscadden. He was predeceased by his parents, his older brother,
Keith, and his younger sister, Kathleen and her husband,
TonyLamont.
Eldon is survived by his second wife,
Anne Pirie, and their children: James, Alex, and Donald (Clare Bustin)
Pirie-Hay. He is also survived by his first wife, Vivien (Beach)
Hicks, and their children: Keith (Susan) Hay, Heather Hay (Bill
Piggott), Ron Hay (Hilaire St-Pierre), Nancy Hay and by grandchildren:
Lindsay (Nuni) Müller, Sandy Hay, and Mari Piggott, and by
great-grandchildren: Shasta and Sebastien
Müller.
Eldon completed degrees from Carleton
University and Queen’s University, and then travelled to
Scotland to further pursue his love of learning, completing a PhD in
Theology from Glasgow University. In 1962, he joined the Department of
Religious Studies at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB, where
he served as head of the Department and retired as Professor Emeritus
in1997.
Throughout his academic career Eldon
wrote scholarly articles on theology, inter-religious dialogue,
process thought, and Covenanter church history. He received a Paul
Paré award for outstanding contributions in teaching,
research, and scholarship. After retirement Eldon continued his
research in Canadian Covenanter history and local church history, for
which he received honours and awards.
Eldon’s recognized wisdom came
from experience as an ordained minister of The United Church of
Canada, as a congregational minister and as a prison chaplain at the
Dorchester Penitentiary in Dorchester, NB. Eldon served as
minister to congregations in Point de Bute and Jolicure, NB, and at
Central United Church,Moncton,NB. Over the years he was a member and
chaired several local, regional, and national committees of The United
Church.
During his career as an ordained
minister, scholar, professor, author, and counsellor Eldon impacted
many persons. He faced critics and controversies because of his human
rights advocacy, and from time to time (!) penned a letter or three to
the editor. Eldon always stood by his theological beliefs with courage
and strength of mind, assuming a significant leadership role by
founding and leading the Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered People (PFLAG) chapters in Moncton and
in Amherst, and serving as the first president of PFLAG
Canada.
In 1997, he was awarded the New
Brunswick Human Rights Award for his tireless efforts in raising
awareness of gay acceptance. Never strident, always thoughtful, Eldon
Hay was often among the first people many turned to for insight and
action when it came to gay rights issues.
His fierce support of the LGBTQ
community continued until the last weeks of his life, as evidenced
when, wearing his trademark rainbow hat, Eldon sought out NB Premier
Brian Gallant to advocate for transgendered issues at Moncton Pride on
August 26.
In 2001, Eldon was named the winner of
the Queen’s University Alumni Association Award; in 2002, he
received Volunteer of the Year award from Affirm United. In October
2003, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2004, the
degree of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) was conferred on Eldon by
Queen’s University. And on September 15, 2017, he was
awarded the Senate of Canada Sesquicentennial Medal.
Eldon’s inspiring leadership
and distinguished service impacted the church and extended into the
community at large. Always attuned to the rights of marginalized
groups, Eldon championed a more tolerant and just society –
and, as recognized by the Order of Canada: “He desired a
better country”.
Family members invite others to join in
celebrating the life of Eldon Hay on Friday, September 22, at 11am at
Mount Allison University Chapel.
Visitation at Sackville United Church,
110 Main Street, Sackville, NB on Thursday, September 21, from 2 to
4pm and 7 to 9pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to PFLAG
Canada, The United Church Mission and Service Fund, or a charity of
your choice.
Arrangements are under the care and
supervision of Jones Funeral Home, 70
Bridge Street, Sackville, NB (506-364-1300).
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Eldon Hay – 1931-2017.source

Décès pour la Ville: Sackville, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick

avis deces Eldon Hay – 1931-2017- avis mortuaire Eldon Hay – 1931-2017