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R. Maurice Boyd

FUNERAL HOME

Frank E. Campbell – The Funeral Chapel

1076 Madison Ave

New York City, New York

R. Boyd Obituary

BOYD--R. Maurice, 77, of New York City and Tobermory, Ontario died on March 24, 2009 at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Boyd was a preacher, author, and lecturer of international renown, and created a radio ministry that engaged listeners throughout the tri-state area. His service spanned over sixty years and included positions as the Senior Minister of Metropolitan Church in London, Ontario, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York, and ultimately, The City Church, New York, an independent, inter-denominational organization founded in 1993. A memorial service will be held at 11:30am on Tuesday, March 31, at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Avenue in New York City. The family respectfully requests no flowers.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Mar. 29, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for R. Boyd

24 Entries

Kent Milroy

June 1, 2024

I was privileged to serve as Maurice Boyd´s organist and music director at Rhodes Avenue United Church in East Toronto, not long after his arrival from Ireland! Wonderful man!

Jim Fraser

November 21, 2023

One of Rev Boyd´s first congregations in Canada was First United Church in Hamilton, Ontario. He was our youth director and also made the best homemade root beer. A great man whose advice to a teenager was key in my success as an adult

Rev. Deacon William Shank

March 23, 2019

In my journey through Gods service I always check my notes on what Doctor Boyd had to say about a subject. Since moving to Puerto Rico I enriched my studies by referring to his tapes and writings. I became active in the Episcopal Church and now serve as a deacon in All Saints Episcopal Church in Vieques. My teachings and sermons would be empty without his direction.

April 28, 2009

Because of Dr. Boyd's sermons I learned that I didn't have to park my brains on the church steps in order to worship. Dr. Boyd baptized me when I was about 23 in the Metropolitan United Church in London. He was a very significant influence in my Christian journey and I cherish my memories of his personality, his vibrant preaching style, the beautiful thoughts he shared with us about the nature of God and how we might appreciate our lives. One that I found especially lasting and useful was when he pointed out that we might love our children uniquely rather than equally. (Isn't that the way God loves us?) I am grateful to have known Dr. Boyd. Even thought I haven't seen him since London days, my world isn't the same without him in it.
~Tomke Meyer, Frankford Ontario

Patricia Sharpe

April 25, 2009

I inherited a drawful of Rev Boyd's tapes and have the luxury of enjoying the depth of his knowledge and the beauty of his voice whenever the going gets tough. His message is timeless.

Theresa Fenik

April 25, 2009

Sincere condolences to Dr. Boyd's family & friends. I will always remember Rev. Boyd's mellifluous voice and charismatic personality. I am still inspired by his taped sermons from The Metropolitan United Church in London, Ontario. May you rest in peace, child of God.

Tory Handford

April 8, 2009

"Go out into the world with a tender and a daring love - it stands in great need".

I probably don't have the benediction exactly right, but as I type this, I can hear Maurice's voice. I often quote Maurice. As a teenager and young adult I attended Metropolitan United Church in London, Ontario - and I would frequently attend two services, one in the morning and again in the evening.

The preacher prior to Maurice, Dr. George Goth, taught me a great deal about Fosdick, Niehbur, others. I was too young to really absorb it all. Maurice taught me about poetry and lilt. I was indeed a lucky child to have such a balance from the pulpit as I grew up.

I am currently writing a doctoral thesis on trust. I have absolutely no doubt that the roots of this doctoral thesis reach back to my pew at Metropolitan.

To the family, I extend my sympathy for your loss.

Richard Brand

April 5, 2009

The members of First Presbyterian Church in Henderson, NC were fortunate to have Dr. Boyd for one of their Royster Speakers. They were saddened to hear of his death. They were blessed by his gifts.

The McGregor Family

April 4, 2009

Maurice;You came to us at a perfect time and taught us to be the uncommon man, to love our children uniquely and whatever we do; do it with love, for love is the greatest of all. Thank you Maurice.

Lisa Price

April 3, 2009

I worked for Dr. Boyd in New York City. He was a true inspiration. He had so much conviction--and now he is enjoying the peaceful reward of it. God bless.

R. Garth Kidd

April 1, 2009

Provocatively, I would ask: "Well Maurice . . . how are things going in the Christianity business?". Conspiratorially, you would answer: "Garth . . . you may have noticed . . . there's still a little bit of sin around". Then you baptized me into the Church, where I have been ever since. May God grant you traveling mercies while -- as one of the peregrini -- you voyage in search of the wild places.

Ann Bowe

April 1, 2009

I was raised in London, Ontario and my mother and father attended Metropolitan United Church during Dr. Boyd's time there. They never wanted to miss a Sunday and I always attended church whenever I visited from Toronto.

My father, Harry Ferguson, died in 1987 and Dr. Boyd preached at this funeral. My healing began with the beautiful words he spoke.

The following fall I treated my mother, Madeline Ferguson, to a long weekend in New York City and the first thing on our minds was to be sure that we attended the service at Fifth Presbyterian. It was a glorious sermon, as always.

In my mother's later years, she got immense pleasure from listening to Dr. Boyd's sermons on tape and CD. Mom passed away on March 12th, and I am so sad to hear that Dr. Boyd has left us, too. I have inherited her treasure trove of books and recorded sermons. A lot to look forward to!

I am so thankful to have had the honour to know, learn from, and be inspired by this amazing man.

May I offer my sincere condolences to his dear ones, both family and friends. Thank you for the support you gave him over the years, as I'm sure you assisted him in finding the love and energy required to attend to his congregations as he did.

Don Rhynas

March 31, 2009

I worshipped at Metropolitan United Church in the '80s and will never forget the way Dr. Boyd challenged my thinking and assured us of God's abiding love. I think of him as an unacknowledged (until now) mentor, whose books and tapes I will always treasure.

March 31, 2009

I am very saddened to hear of the loss of Maurice. I only had the pleasure to have known him for the two years but he always lifted my spirits and made my day. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Kurtis Robbins TOBERMORY ONT e mail [email protected]

Laura Luttrell Thomas

March 31, 2009

I am so saddened at the loss of the RMB, a person I have known since I was 4 years old. He was a very important man to our family and he will be greatly missed. I will always cherish my childhood memories of him and his constant teasing of me.

John Catterall

March 31, 2009

Our sincere condolences to the family on their loss. We only regret that we did not have the opportunity to meet this great individual in person during the many years that we have known Heather. We did, however, hear many good stories about Dr. Boyd and had the opportunity to listen to a few of his sermons on CD.

John and Mary Catterall and family

Michael Brown

March 31, 2009

Dr. Boyd preached at the church I served in NC, and years later my members were still talking about the impact he had. I have been listening to him and collecting his CDs since my days in seminary. He has had an inexpressible impact upon legions of us who are Called to the ministry of proclamation. Our prayers surround the family. Our loss is Heaven's gain.

March 30, 2009

Our thoughts are with the Boyd family at this very sad time.

Members of Grace Community Church Thorold Ontario Canada

March 30, 2009

Never strike sail to a fear, but come into port greatly, or sail the seas at His behest.

Fondly remembered by Carolyn and Rick Wood, London, Ontario.

Janice Barringer

March 29, 2009

When I heard his first sermon at Fifth Ave Presbyterian, I knew I must be a member of the congregation. I then followed him until the end of his career. There could have never been a more magnificent preacher. How fortunate my husband and I were to have had him marry us in 1996. Our lives are changed because of him and his messages.
Janice Barringer and Rick Griner

Bill and Lisa Purdom

March 29, 2009

Rather than mourning Dr. Boyd's passing we choose to celebrate his life. From his first sermon in NYC to his last sermon at the City Church our lives are so much richer for all he taught us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and our thanks go to God for the extraordinary life and great work of our beloved friend and teacher. We will never forget you.

Bill Shank

March 29, 2009

Dr. Boyd taught us that we are all God's children and with His Fatherly love He will bring us at last to the land of promise, to the country of the Great King. It will be reassuring that he will be there to show us the way.
My condolences to his family;

March 29, 2009

We offer our deepest condolences to Dr. Boyd's family. We feel so blessed to have sat under his teaching from 1979 to 1988.
sincerely
Henry and Kathy Berg, London, Canada.

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