With great sadness and thanksgiving for his life, we share that Paul died suddenly on September 17, 2024. He will be dearly missed as a husband, father, grandfather, pastor and friend to many.
Born to Jack & Bessie Pearce in Brantford, Ontario on September 19, 1947, Paul was the middle of five siblings (Alan, David, Shirley, and Carol) and grew up on a small farm. He had an early and sustained connection with the church community which grew in his youth and continued throughout his life. While initially pursuing studies in accounting, he found his passion in ministry and moved to Alberta for further education in classical studies and theology.
He went on to meet Patsy, a young woman also recently arrived in Edmonton. They would be married for nearly fifty years and raise a son, Jonathan. Life would carry them from Edmonton to Vancouver to Calgary to Toronto and then back to the West Coast. Paul was the pastor for several local Baptist congregations across Canada and then served as the area minister for British Columbia for the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada helping to support pastors and congregations across the province. He had a keen interest in helping to understand how to develop healthy multicultural churches representative of the diversity of Canadian society, on which he focussed his doctoral studies. In his later ministry, he was also devoted to the development of affordable housing for seniors in his work with Beulah Garden Homes, Vancouver. He helped facilitate conversation and interest in how to be thoughtful and live intentionally into our later lives in his work with the Centre for Healthy Aging Transitions.
Calm but joyful, he found beauty in the day to day – the smiles of his grandchildren, his love of walking, sharing food together, and blooming sunflowers amongst many others. Paul lived with steadfast commitment to his family and faith. While he experienced and witnessed the suffering of many, he lived with great hope in God’s faithfulness and goodness in a broken world. May we all continue to carry this hope in our lives.
“May you know that absence is alive with hidden presence, that nothing is ever lost or forgotten.” –John O’Donahue
If you wish to make a contribution in remembrance of Paul, you may do so to either Kinbrace Community Society, Vancouver or The Mustard Seed, Victoria.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Myrna Sears
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Loren Balisky and Tama Ward Condolences and love to Patsy, Jonathan, Erin, and the grandkids. You are loved especially more in this season of loss. Paul would be the first to lean in love you in these days of his passing.
The key word that comes to mind for Tama and me is that Paul was an encourager. He stepped into vulnerable spaces and times, and gave a boost, a word of hope, a laugh, a practical suggestion. Not overbearing, not save the world approach – but just letting others know they were seen for who they are and what they are trying to do. I experienced this when he joined and served for six years on the Kinbrace board of directors when the organization was going through growing pains. He was a mentor and champion through those years, and his legacy lives on within the org structure and in the lives of the many refugee claimants impacted by his presence.
And Paul loved to walk – that’s where we would bump into him in the most unexpected places and times. My last encounter with him was on Victoria Drive at Broadway in Vancouver – he in Raiders of the Lost Ark hat, and I … (without a hat). He was quick to bring me up to speed with what was trending his life – moving to the Island, and always eager and interested to listen and know what was up in my life.
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Gerry and Janet Fisher Gerry and Janet Fisher
Early on the morning of September 18 I received a call from a friend telling me that Paul had died suddenly the day before. After absorbing the shock of this news for the rest of that day and many more to come my thoughts were flooded with so many memories of my friend of 54 years. When we met neither of us knew that our paths would intersect for the rest of those years. We worked as colleagues on several occasions. We shared great times as couples. For several years we were members of the same church and even shared the role of Interim C0-Pastors of that church. To Patsy, Jonathan , Erin and family we send our love and prayers. Our lives are so much richer because he was our friend and hence the sorrow of loss is great.
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Jodi Spargur Paul was the Area Minister for my ordination process and he was wise and generous in his encouragement of me on this path. I will ever be grateful for this in a time that was filled with fear and uncertainty for me. Later I had two opportunities to live along a path that Paul regularly walked, whether that was heading downtown to First Baptist or on his way to Beulah. Whether we chatted or not I was always buoyed even by the nod of acknowledgment we would exchange. I have always wondered and never asked what he was listening to on his headphones! My love and prayers are with you Patsy, Jonathan, Erin and children.
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Marilyn & Allen Howey It is with good memories and now sadness we remember Paul Pearce.
We have fond memories of Paul and Patsy duringg the early years at Bonavista Baptist in Calgary. Thank you Paul for serving us during that time.
A very welcoming, friendly and humble guy.
Hearing of all the various ministries you have been involved in as you continued serving our Lord, Rest in His Care now.
Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.
Our sympathy to Patsy, Jonathan and family.
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Bob and Dawn Krahn Paul was a dear and faithful friend over many years and in a great variety of ministries. We shared the joys and challenges of ministry in many thought provoking conversations and across several provinces. He was the best man at our wedding and our hearts are aching that he is gone so soon. We look forward to a heavenly reunion. We send our love and deepest sympathy to Patsy, Jonathan, Erin, and the children. We are praying for all of you and Paul’s wider family and friends.
Patsy and Jonathan and all whom Paul loved,
I am sharing in your sorrow as I remember the beautiful life of faith of a very special person. Paul means so much to so many. His positive influence will continue to be a blessing.
God give you comfort and courage.
Myrna