Obituary of Canon E. Lloyd Lake

LAKE, The Reverend Canon Ernest Lloyd, B.A., L.Th. - Reverend Lake, who was born in Toronto on July 17, 1918, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Bobby‘s Hospice. Canon Lake’s true calling came to him in 1940 when he had been working in Toronto for several years. It was at that time that he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army for training while studying at Union College (UBC) and Huron College (UWO) to become a chaplain. His sixty five years of dedicated service began when he was ordained Deacon at All Saints Church, Windsor, Ontario and was priested at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, Ontario. Following his ordination to the priesthood, Lloyd became Rector of St. Andrew’s Church, Harrow, Ontario in 1951. He served as Chaplain in 1953 at Wainwright, Valcartier, and Petawawa before his deployment to Korea at the time of Korean conflict. On leaving the chaplaincy service, Lloyd was appointed Assistant Rector at The Church of St. John the Evangelist, Ottawa in 1957. He then spent a year on post-graduate studies at St. Augustine’s College, Canterbury, Kent, England before accepting the appointment as Rector at St. John the Evangelist Church in Eganville, Ontario. His next appointment was in the Anglican Parish of Florenceville, NB at The Church of the Good Shepherd before coming to Saint John as Rector of All Saints Church in 1973. Lloyd was Chaplain at the Loch Lomond Villa (1974-2005), Chaplain at the Regional Correctional Centre (1990-2003) and following his retirement he assisted with Sunday services at Trinity Church for twenty five years. Lloyd also produced his own cable TV program originally entitled "Religious Reflections" for more than a quarter of a century. His unstinting community service with the Saint John Rotary Club, the Saint John Boys’ and Girls’ Club, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Korea Veterans Association, the Probus Club, Scouts Canada, his activism in tree conservation on Manawagonish Road and as a Life Member of Burns' Lodge, No.153 A.F. &A.M., - Reverend Lake, as he was known to all, became one of Saint John’s best known citizens. Always willing to lend a listening ear, pass the time of day or take a meal with old and new friends and acquaintances from all walks of life, and brimming with spiritual and practical advice, he touched thousands of lives. His decades of service were recognized in many ways, including the installation of Canon (Honorary) of Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, NB on the 5th of October, 2003, four Paul Harris Fellowships presented by the Rotary Foundation, the dedication of the Rev. E. Lloyd Lake Park at Turnbull Place in Saint John’s north end, the 2009 New Brunswick Day Merit Award, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2003) and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), which are awarded to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. His connections with England began at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Ottawa, where he met Doreen (Dyke), his wife of 55 years, who came to Canada from England in 1957. Doreen, their children Elizabeth Sexton (Paul), Alison Peel (Douglas) and Andrew Lake (Merida), and their grandchildren Phillip and Christine Sexton, Emily, Alec and Sarah Peel, and Nicola and Sophie Lake, survive him, along with his brother Gordon (Connie) Lake and many nieces and nephews. Lloyd was predeceased by his parents Foster Stanley and Edna Winnifred (Smith) Lake and brother Murray Lake. Visitation will be held at Trinity Church, 115 Charlotte Street, Saint John, NB from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Thursday, October 10, 2013 preceded by a Legion Tribute service at 6:30 pm. Funeral service will be held on Friday October 11 at 10:00am at Trinity Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to Trinity Church, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation or Bobby’s Hospice would be greatly appreciated by the family. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). Online condolences and remembrances may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.