Caledonia Times
November , 2013 Issue The Caledonia Section of the Anglican Journal
The Rev. Canon JC Martinson (1919-2013) The Rev. Canon John C. Martinson, Rector Emeritus of Christ the King Parish and Region Dean of Metlakatla died in Prince Rupert on Sunday, September 22nd 2013. He was 93 years old.
John was born to his parents Arthur and Ida (nee Wise) Martinson in London, England on November 29th, 1919. The family emigrated from England back to his father’s home of Kenora, Ontario in 1921. John was 2 yrs old. John was the eldest brother. He was joined by his sister Pearl Gloria and brother Edward Arthur. After finishing school, John worked as a projectionist at the Paramount Theatre and also at Sandy Browns Funeral Home. When war broke out in September, 1939, John enlisted in the Canadian Forces and served overseas with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. He served as a physical education instructor in England for troops and was a part of the Italian Campaign and was seriously wounded in fighting in Sicily. He was sent to North Africa where he was hospitalized for a time and then sent onto England once he was strong enough to make the journey. John returned home to Canada in 1944. After the war, John chose to seek ordination and trained for ministry at St. John’s College in Winnipeg. He excelled as a seminarian. Subsequent to his graduation, John was ordained and ordered deacon on September 17th, 1950 and then ordered priest on June 11th, 1951 (St. Barnabas Day). John desired and intended to serve in First Nations communities. As a priest he served in Churchill, MB, Fort George, PQ, Hodgson, MB., Stonewall and Winnipeg, MB. In Winnipeg, he served also as Archdeacon of Selkirk. At the invitation of Bishop Douglas Hambidge, then Bishop of Caledonia in 1971, John came to Kitkatla and served the community as their priest. He served Kitkatla from 1971 until 1985. During his time in Kitkatla, John married Lorna Connell, a native of Digby NS, who was a well known teacher at the school in Kitkatla. After a sabbatical, Fr. John took charge of Christ the King Parish in Port Edward, in June 1986. During his tenure as rector, he offered frequently workshops on the Scriptures and the Christian life. Out of the group came a dozen catechists. These teachers of the faith
The Rev. Canon John C. Martinson (rt.) with wife Lona Martinson. the picture was taken in the Fall of 2011 at Christ the King Parish In Port Edward. Canon Martinson served as rector of the parish for many years and then was appointed Rector Emeritus by the Bishop to honour his years of service to the parish.
went on to study further. Of the dozen, eight were ordained deacon and seven of the deacons were later ordained priests. John also served 25 years as the chaplain at the Prince Rupert Hospital. He was a registered grief therapist with the American Greif Therapy Association and organized the hospital’s pastoral care program. In addition to one to one counselling, John ran Grief support groups as well as continuously also being on call for the hospital for pastoral emergencies.
in prayer, living in humility, and loving the people God entrusted to his care, have been a blessing to so many of us. According to Canon Martinson’s final wishes, his funeral was held on September 27th at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Prince Rupert. There was a Eucharist from the Book of Common Prayer celebrated by Dean Jason Haggstrom, assisted by Archdeacon Ernest Buchanan and the clergy team from the Parish of Port Edward.
In more recent years, John passed on the hospital ministry to the Rev. Jim Whaley, of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and served as Regional Dean for the coastal parishes of the Diocese. He continued to meet with and counsel people in his own home.Bishop William Anderson responded to the news of Canon Martinson’s death this way: I am going to deeply miss John, as he has been a constant support throughout my episcopacy. His counsel and his humour have always been supportive and encouraging for me. But more importantly, the Church has lost someone who has been a great teacher. The men and women he has prepared for ordained ministry are arguably his greatest legacy to our Church, for he has trained them well. Together with Lorna, John’s gifts of persevering
When Fr. John served in Kitkatla, he was adopted by a family in the Eagle Tribe and was given the name “eagle who sat on a stump” - Ed
Inside this issue: - News from Council of the North page 2 - Books on the Way page 3 - Comic Corner page 4 - The Anglican Foundation rebrands page 4