Rev. Dr. E. Leicester Bigby

Rev. Dr. E. Leicester Bigby
June 14, 1931 - January 1, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rev. Dr. E. Leicester Bigby, early New Year’s morning. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family. He is the cherished husband of Hazel; father of Wayne (Dianne), Paul, Karyn and Sherryl; and brother of Rupert (Lelieth) and Windsor (Yvonne). Leicester will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Christina (Eugene), Charles, Peter (Amy), Nigel, Spencer, Antony, Terrence (Dominique); great grandchildren, Astrid and Alyss, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins as well as his former colleagues and parishioners in the United Church of Canada; the wider religious community; and so many good friends who loved and respected him dearly. Leicester is predeceased by his parents Mabel and Richard and by his brother Walbert, sisters Joanna and Myrtle, and infant son, Peter. Leicester will be forever in our hearts.

After emigrating from Jamaica to Canada with his young family in 1969, Leicester served as Minister in United Church congregations in Plainfield, Roslin, Thomasburg, Enniskillin, Tyrone and Welland, Ontario as well as Montreal’s Union United Church.

It was John Wesley who said, “The world is my parish,” and Leicester lived it - using his experience and expertise to not only help his congregations, but the Black community and the wider church in Canada and the United States. He worked tirelessly on many committees at the local, national and international levels. For example, in 1982 Leicester started Heritage Week at Union United Church to celebrate differences amongst the many cultural groups which comprised his congregation. Along with Hazel, Leicester served as a resource person to “The Whole People of God” curriculum writers and editors. This Christian education curriculum is used not only by various denominations in Canada, but in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and some European countries. The new United Church Hymnbook also received input from Leicester in its use of inclusive language and imagery as it pertains to Blacks. Leicester also served on the Multicultural Education and Black Congregational Ministries Committees of the National Council of Churches of Christ. And, his passion for singing and music led to the formation of the well-known Union Church Gospel Choir.

Leicester received several awards for his involvement in the local Montreal community: The Jackie Robinson Community Award from the Montreal Association of Black Business Persons and Professionals; The Renaissance Community Award from the Afro-Quebec Community for the improvement of Little Burgundy in Montreal; Outstanding Service Award from The Council on Black Aging; and the award from the Government of Quebec for Community Involvement and Leadership.

Leicester also felt truly honoured and blessed to have shared his pulpit with such pioneers in the fight against racism, more specifically against apartheid in South Africa, as President Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Rev. Allan Boesak, and Walter and Albertina Sissulu.

Leicester received his training in Education, Public Health and Theology in his native Jamaica. He also earned his B.A., M.Div. and M.Ed degrees from Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.

All are welcome to pay their respects at Ward Funeral Home, 52 Main St. S., Brampton, Ontario on Friday, January 10, 2020 from 3pm to 5pm and 7pm to 9pm. Additional visitation will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 from 10am to 11am at Grace United Church, 156 Main St. N., Brampton, Ontario followed by a Funeral service to honour and celebrate his life at 11am.

In remembrance and in lieu of flowers, contributions to Grace United Church, Brampton or Trillium Health
Partners Foundation would be very much appreciated.