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Douglas JAY

1925 - 2021

Douglas JAY obituary, 1925-2021, Toronto, ON

BORN

1925

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Turner & Porter Neweduk- Neweduk Chapel

1981 Dundas Street W

Mississauga, Ontario

Douglas JAY Obituary

REV. DOUGLAS JAY CM BA M.Div. Ph.D. DD Passed away peacefully on January 1, 2021 in his 96th year, after a brief illness, following emergence from a Covid19 diagnosis a month earlier. A Member of the Order of Canada, Douglas was Principal Emeritus of Emmanuel College (of Victoria University in the University of Toronto), founding Director of the Toronto School of Theology, and Minister Emeritus of Christ First United Church. Predeceased eight years ago by his wife of 62 years, Ruth (Crooker) , Douglas is survived by his three sons : David (Kathy), Ian (Leesa) and Garth (Colleen) ; as well as by six grand-children (Emily, Alex, Glynis , Catherine , Victoria and Madeleine) ; and by three great-grandchildren (Logan , Nathan and Ava) . Douglas was born October 10, 1925, just months after the formation of the United Church of Canada, to an erstwhile Methodist Minister (Charles) and a church organist (Luella). Growing up in rural communities in southern Ontario, he excelled in his studies, especially when the family moved to Toronto. Throughout his studies, from Victoria College and Emmanuel College through to a Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh, Douglas was determined to follow his father into ordained ministry in the United Church, a calling in which he was soon joined by his brother , Donald and his brother-in-law , David Reeve . His professional academic career began when he was in his early twenties, as a Lecturer at Queens University, training returning veterans in Logic. After pastoral assignments in the Elk Lake and Trafalgar charges of Ontario, Douglas returned to academia at Emmanuel College. He travelled continually promoting inter-faith dialogue around the world as a visiting lecturer in India, Korea, Zambia, South Africa and the Philippines, with multiple trips to Israel and China, and on special projects for the United Church and for the World Council of Churches. Doug's distinguished career as Professor of the Philosophy of Religion and of Christian Ethics at Emmanuel College led to his selection to form and direct the Toronto School of Theology. His success at persuading the leaders of disparate Christian colleges to share resources and cross-train their next generations of theological scholars and ministers , and his reputation as an international elder of the inter-faith movement , resulted in Doug being made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1988 . After a decade at TST, Doug returned to his beloved Emmanuel College as Principal, from which he retired after nine challenging years. Even in retirement, Doug pursued his passion for theological education as President of the Association of Theological Schools. Cremation has been performed. A memorial service will be announced in the coming months.

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Published by The Globe and Mail from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Douglas JAY

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9 Entries

Mary Craig-Low

March 31, 2024

I hadn´t seen this obituary of Dr. Jay until today. He was the Minister of my church in Elk Lake. I babysat David when he was a baby. I often tell people about Dr. Jay and I believe his name was Father Uno(?) combining the Friday afternoon religious class and we learned about each others beliefs. I was allowed to call Mrs Jay, Ruth, which I thought was quite wonderful. Both of this couple had a strong influence on my life and I remember them fondly. Condolences to all the family. Mary Craig-Low.

Ruben (butch) Nelson

August 16, 2022

My condolences to Dr. Jay's family and all who knew and loved him. He touched my life lightly, but deeply, when I was a student at Queen's Theological College in the 1960s. He was much admired by Donald Mathers, my Systematics professor and a colleague of Dr. Jays. They were the preeminent theologians in the UCC at the time. Donald suggest that I pay attention to Dr. Jay. I continue to be thankful that I did.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Deborah Bongard

Planted Trees

The Rev. Prof. Dr. James T Christie, D.Min. 2001, Ambassador-at-Large, Canadian

January 18, 2021

Doug's was an extraordinary life filled with extraordinary accomplishments and contributions. The Theology and worldview which inspired him to invent TST not only informed and guided his own work, but, in a significant way pushed the agenda of inter-religious peace-building and global harmony further towards what surely must be the intent of however we understand God. As a graduate of TST, a UCC minister, and a leader in multifaith dialogue I can testify that Doug's influence and insight continue to inspire and inform both individuals and the entire inter-faith enterprise.

BRONSON (formerly Geoffrey) SMITH

January 9, 2021

My Condolences to Ian Jay and family.

Alvin A. Lee, Emmanuel `57

January 8, 2021

He was `caritas' in action within the University of Toronto and in the wider world. His course in ethics at Emmanuel has stayed with me positively for six decades.

Valerie Legge

January 4, 2021

I retain fond memories of "Uncle Doug" and "Aunt Ruth", longtime family friends of my parents Garth and Joyce Legge. Despite Uncle Doug's impressive academic career, I remember him mostly as a kind, soft-spoken and gentle soul who was in his element at the cottage with his sleeves rolled up, working on yet another building project. He never failed to bring a smile as he shared his stories! Sending my condolences to the family, near and far ...

Ann Crysdale

January 4, 2021

What a wonderful man! My father, Rev. Stewart Crysdale knew him very well. Dad always spoke highly of Rev. Jay -- kind, respectful, thoughtful, caring and so focused on what he perceived his ministry to be. I'm sure you will all miss him.

Jaden

January 4, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results

Memorial Events
for Douglas JAY

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Turner & Porter Neweduk- Neweduk Chapel

1981 Dundas Street W, Mississauga, ON L5K 1R2