August 27, 1923 – March 24, 2013
Rev. John Probyn Travis died peacefully on Palm Sunday, March 24. He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth, and is survived by their daughters, Deirdre (Peter) and Gaye; their son, Dermod; grandchildren, Sarah, Simon, Travis and Christopher, and his sister, Betty in Plymouth, England.
John was born in Swansea, Wales in 1923. After wartime service with the RAFVR, John studied theology at New College, London, and was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational Church in Huddersfield, England in 1948, the year he and Elizabeth were married. In 1951 John received a call to enter the ministry of the United Church of Canada and thus began the biggest and happiest adventure of their lives. He and Elizabeth moved across Canada as he served charges in Northport (NS), Franklin Centre (PQ), Rundle Memorial United Church, Banff, Centennial United Church, Victoria, Central United Church, Edmonton, and St. Andrew’s United Church, Maple Ridge. In retirement he volunteered as a senior citizens counsellor.
Before he died John wrote, “I am thankful for having had a remarkably good life and gratefully acknowledge those still with us and those who are part of the ‘unseen cloud of witnesses’ for all they have contributed to my physical, intellectual, and spiritual well being – not least among whom has been my wife, Elizabeth.”
A celebration of thanksgiving for his life will be held on Monday, April 8, at 2:00 pm at Christ Church Cathedral, Quadra St. at Rockland Ave., Victoria. If desired a donation may be made to the Victoria Parkinson’s Centre, 813 Darwin Avenue, Victoria V8X 2X7 (www.vepc.bc.ca) or Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (www.msf.ca)
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Alec and Juanita Osachoff
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Stewart and Margaret Crerar Our sincere sympathy to you in the loss of your father. I have often said that each minister has special strengths and his was to be an orator extraordinaire. We moved to Banff around the same time and were friends of you all for your time there. I know Stewart taught Gaye but I am not sure of the others. John’s life without Elizabeth was lonesome I am sure and his passing is so final for you all. You will have so many wonderful memories as even we do. We could tell some Derrnod stories as he was the only baby ever born into the Banff manse. We saw him on TV the other day.
Our very best wishes to each of you
Stewart and Margaret Crerar (now of Comox)
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john and sharon macdonald To Rev. Travis’s family – In 1973, we were married by your father in Centennial United Church. He counselled us before we married and was so kind and wise. He baptized our son, Kelly as well. I had a chance a few years ago to see him at church, and thanked him again. He was such a nice man. His words in our church newsletter every Christmas were always so inspiring and full of the true meaning of the season. He will be greatly missed. Sincerely, Sharon, Jack and Kelly Macdonald.
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Wayne & Noella Sennett We were very sorry to hear of Johns passing and regret we will be out of town for the celebration of life. John & Elizabeth were great friends of Wayne’s Father and Step Mother, Max & Oda Sennett when John was the minister at Rundle United Church in Banff. John presided at Max and Oda’s wedding in Banff as well as ours in Victoria. Wayne remembers one of the highlights of growing up in Banff was attending Sunday school and later church as well as various youth groups at Rundle United Church .
Max, Oda and Wayne felt privileged to have known the Travis family during the Banff days as well as in Victoria and I felt honoured to have met the Travis family before and after my marriage to Wayne in 1977. Rev. Travis officiated at our wedding here in Victoria and it was a very nice ceremony.They were a lovely couple and it was a great pleasure to have had them in our lives.
Our condolences to Dermod, Deirdre, and Gaye.
Noella & Wayne Sennett
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Susan Dunn To Deirdre, Gaye & Dermot – I was so sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. I met you all many years ago through Sunday School at Centennial United Church, I was Susan Bell back then. I have so many fond memories of your family and you all meant so much to me as a young teenager. Your Father’s sermons were awe inspiring and I felt that he was speaking directly to me To say that a young teenager was mesmerized by a sermon I think speaks volumes of his understanding and care for the youth of the church. Over the years I was able to speak with your Father when he would, from time to time, attend Centennial and I knew then that he was not enjoying good health. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man who will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Susan
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Sheila Marshall I have so many fond memories of both John and Elizabeth. My earliest ones are of their days in Maple Ridge and then the later years here in Victoria. John gave me valuable guidance at a time of my life when it was most needed so many years ago in Maple Ridge. Attending St. Andrews and listening to him each Sunday was a wonderful “filling station” . Visiting them both in their home for tea was a special experience. We kept in touch from then on and his annual Christmas letter with it’s added sermon was the highlight of the year. I lived in Calgary when the windows of the church in Banff were celebrated. I was invited to the event and saw how special this place was to them. He was such an inspirational minister and it was so obvious he was adored by congregations where ever he went.
He will remain in the hearts of many and will be a guidance to his whole family for an eternity. My love and prayers are with you all through this very difficult time.
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Judy Langdon Rev. Travis and the family were a great part of our lives in the summer of ’63 when we worked at the Banff Springs Hotel. The Rundle Summerites and Sunday services were all we had time for other than work. We have valued their friendship over the years.
Is the service at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver?
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Lynda Blundell (nee Phillips) In the1960s whenever I was on vacation in Banff I attended Rundle Church, as did my parents, and enjoyed your father’s sermons. My parents, Connie and Frank Phillips. kept in touch with your parents for many years and when my parents passed away over a decade ago I found copies of your father’s sermons, which he had mailed to them over the years, in their belongings. My sympathy to you all. May your memories help sustain you in the future.
Lynda Blundell (nee Phillips)
We are saddened indeed at the passing of your dear Father – a man who was loved by all who knew him. Reverend Travis was a man of honor and inspiration, and as my husband I look at our wedding photos, we are reminded once each year that it was your Father who married us on July 15, 1961 in that lovely church in Banff. We have lived in California for 50 years, but we always visit that special place in Banff where our wedding took place.
We pray for your family and wish you God’s blessing and comfort. May his memory always be in our hearts.