Obituary of John Ewen Henderson

HENDERSON, John Ewen, 91, of Ross Street, Pictou passed away peacefully on March 12, 2018 at the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.  Born in Truro, he was a son of the late Craig MacGowan and Fiona (Hay) Henderson.  He was a member of Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church in Pictou.  A graduate of Mount Allison (BA, ‘48), and Pine Hill Divinity School (B. Div, 1950), the latter was also the year of his ordination as a minister of the United Church of Canada.  Previous to his ordination, he did summer field work in Chaplain, Sask. and New Glasgow.  Following two years serving his first charge, Center Burlington, he completed his academic studies with post-graduate work at Union Theological Seminary in New York.  His subsequent career included a stint as Field Secretary of Christian Education for the Maritimes in Sackville N.B., as well as pastorates in Brookfield, Lawrencetown, Kennetcook, Doaktown N.B., Keswick Ridge N.B. and Wallace.  He directed summer camps in Chance Harbour and East Chezzetcook while still in high school and was actively involved for many years in organizing model parliaments for boys in the Maritime provinces.  He served briefly as chaplain of the Boys’ and Girls’ school in Dobb’s Ferry (New York). He and Isabel co-directed seven consecutive Family Camps in Berwick.  Lorraine MacAskill from Kennetcook and Chesley Boutilier from Brookfield entered the ministry from his charges.  John had been an Oblate member of the Community of Jesus, an ecumenical Benedictine monastery, since 1987.  John and Isabel eventually received membership in the Roman Catholic Church (2001).  John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Isabel Jane (Campbell); brother, Silas Blair Kent, Toronto;  sons, Br. Abraham and Br. John, monks of the Community of Jesus, Massachusetts;  Roderick Ewen, Pictou;  and two grandsons, Christopher Thomas Ewen (Lower Jemseg, N.B.);  Matthew John (Fredericton, N.B.); and two great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his son, Christopher John and his sister, Mary MacGowan (Davies).  Funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m on Friday March 16 in Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Pictou, with Father Tom MacNeil officiating.  Spring burial will be in the parish cemetery. Reception to follow in the Stella Maris Church Hall.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Restoration Fund of Stella Maris Church would be appreciated.