Geoffrey Howard Parke-Taylor

PARKE-TAYLOR, Geoffrey Howard - Passed away peacefully at The Briton House, Toronto on May 11, 2009 in his 90th year. Geoffrey, beloved husband of Mary Isabella Bagshaw Parke-Taylor, for 63 years. Loved father of Janet Bowyer and of Michael Parke-Taylor and his wife Barbara Butts. Lovingly remembered by grandson The Rev. Daniel Bowyer and his wife Sarah Franklin. The Right Reverend Geoffrey Parke-Taylor was consecrated as Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Huron in the Anglican Church of Canada in 1976. In 1981, he was elected Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of Toronto serving as Area Bishop in The Highlands until his retirement in 1985. Born in Denham (Buckinghamshire) England in 1920, Geoffrey came to Canada in 1932. He graduated from St. John's High School in New Brunswick at the age of 14 and studied at Wycliffe College in Toronto receiving an Honours B.A. in Oriental languages (now Near Eastern Studies). He received a Masters in Oriental languages from the University of Toronto where he pursued doctoral studies, played soccer and was part of the university's track team. According to Reginald Stackhouse (The Way Forward: A History of Wycliffe College, Toronto, 1877-2002 [Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2002]), Geoffrey Parke-Taylor was considered 'someone too good to lose, a man whose place in the classroom must quickly change from student desk to professor's lectern.' From 1944-1951, he taught at Wycliffe College, where he was Professor of Old Testament. Geoffrey pursued his calling as a parish priest in the 1950s, first as Incumbent at the Parish of Fenelon Falls and Coboconk (1951-1953) and then at St. Andrew's, Thistletown and St. Paul's, Rexdale (1953-1955). After serving as Incumbent at St. Elizabeth's, the Queensway in Toronto from 1955-1959, he returned to teaching. He was Professor of New Testament at the Anglican Theological College in Vancouver (1959-1964) and Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Huron College, London, Ontario (1964-1976), serving as Dean of Theology from 1966-1976. He earned his Doctorate of Divinity from Wycliffe College and was awarded honorary doctorates from Trinity College and Huron College. Geoffrey Parke-Taylor published two books: Yahweh: The Divine Name in The Bible (Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1975) and The Formation of the Book of Jeremiah: Doublets and Recurring Phrases (Society of Biblical Literature Monograph Series, 2000). The latter received the R.B.Y. Scott Award in 2001 from the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies. His family remember him best for his keen mind, his sense of humour and his gentle spirit. We give thanks for the excellent care and love he received from The Briton House, Toronto where he and Mary resided since 2007. A public funeral service will be held at St. James Anglican Cathedral on Friday, May 15, 2009 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Covenant House, the Salvation Army or the Primates World Relief and Development Fund would be appreciated and can be made through the Mangan Funeral Home (705-426-5777). Online condolences are welcomed at www.manganfuneralhome.com