Daniel MATHESON

MATHESON, The Very Reverend Archpriest Daniel, Doctor of Divinity
Peacefully on July 5, surrounded by love, in his 99th year. Father Daniel was born on the family farm in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. He was the youngest of four children born to Charlie and Annie Matheson. He was predeceased in 2010 by his beloved wife of 68 years, Presbytera Vera. He is survived by his devoted children Mary (Crawford), Neil (Donna) and Peter (Cindy). He was blessed with four grandchildren, Rawni, David, Heather and Danielle. He took much delight in being the great-grandfather of Kate, Sam, Will, Jack and Cullen. Father Daniel received his B.A. in 1940 from Dalhousie University in Halifax. He received his M. Div. degree from Pine Hill Divinity Hall (now Atlantic School of Theology), also in Halifax. In 1967, The United Theological College of Montreal conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa). He was ordained into the ministry in the United Church of Canada in 1942 and faithfully served congregations in Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Ontario. In 1985, Father Daniel was received into the Evangelical Orthodox Church where he founded and served the Holy Epiphany Evangelical Orthodox Mission in Ottawa. In 1987, he was ordained to the priesthood of the Orthodox Church. In 1991, he began his ministry in St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Ottawa. He was blessed with the love and fellowship of the St. Elias Christian community until the end of his life on earth. Visitation will be held at McEvoy and Shields Funeral Home on 1411 Hunt Club Road at Albion Road on Wednesday, July 9 from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. Prayers for the repose of Father Daniel will be offered at St. Elias Cathedral on Thursday, July 10 from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. The Rite of the Burial of Archpriest Daniel will be held at St. Elias Cathedral on Friday July 10 at 11 a.m. Father Daniel's family express their heartfelt gratitude to all those who cared for him in his time of need, in particular, the staff of Valley Stream Manor. Their devotion, care and love was a gift from God. He was so appreciative. "In his last months he might not always have remembered what he had for breakfast, but he always remembered the name of the person who served it to him." In memory of Father Daniel, please consider a donation to St. Elias Cathedral or to the St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto (www.stjohnsmission.org).