FENNELL, Austin Boyd. Following a brief illness, the Rev. Dr. Austin Fennell died on December 15, 2022, at the age of 89 years, one month before his 90th birthday. Austin was born in Hafford, Saskatchewan, in 1933, the first child of Sadie (Boyd) and Rev. Harold Fennell. Austin attended the University of Saskatchewan (B.A.) and St. Andrew’s College (B.D.). He married Jean (Ford) in 1956, and they shared many happy adventures over 66 years of marriage. Austin and Jean travelled widely (more than 30 countries) and shared in community and church life in many places in Saskatchewan, Scotland, Manitoba, and Alberta.

He was ordained by Saskatchewan Conference of The United Church of Canada in 1957. From 1960-1963, Austin and Jean lived in Scotland, as Austin studied under William Barclay for a PhD in New Testament from the University of Glasgow. Over the years, Austin made a significant contribution to church and community leadership, through music, Scouting, curling, General Council, Rotary Club, and as a school board trustee. He was chair or president of numerous organizations, including Presbyteries and Conferences of the United Church, the University of Winnipeg Library Board, St. Andrew’s College Board of Regents, University of Lethbridge Chaplaincy Committee, the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs, the Lethbridge Symphony Association, and more. He served 10 pastoral charges of the United Church over a ministry of 41 years, and continued to preach and offer the sacraments for many years in retirement. Following 8 years of service with Southminster United Church in Lethbridge, he wrote a history of this church and the related history of Methodism in Alberta. He taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Winnipeg and was the first Dean of the Lay School of Ministry in Western Canada. Many younger ministers benefitted from his mentorship and encouragement over half a century, and his colleagues valued his support and counsel. An avid amateur musician, Austin played piano his whole life, enjoyed singing, and at various times played the organ. In 2017, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from his alma mater, St. Andrew’s College.

Always ready for a laugh, a good story, or deep reflection on a theological or social problem, Austin enjoyed a cup of tea and cookie anytime. The classic Absent-Minded Professor, he sometimes caught up to conversations about 10 minutes after the subject had changed. He felt deeply connected to the land and was an eager and gifted gardener. He was profoundly grateful for and proud of his immediate and extended family. He baptised several of them and conducted many family weddings. Austin will be remembered for his deep care for others, his readiness to listen, his generosity, his modesty, his intellect, his broad and deep knowledge, his excellent teaching, his powerful preaching, his lifelong love of learning, his commitment to a better society, and his abiding, trusting faith in Jesus Christ, in whose company he now rejoices, among the saints who have gone before him.

Remembering him with love and gratitude are his wife Jean, daughter Moira (Doug), sons Ian (Melanie), Andrew (Kerri), and Rob (Sally), sister Kay, brother Brian, 14 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and dear friends and colleagues.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada, of which Austin was a lifelong supporter.

A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 am, on Friday, February 3, 2023, at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH, 1011 4 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB.

 “Well done, good and faithful servant.”