Obituary of John Ferguson Wilson

With unwavering faith, dignity and spirit, Fergy left this world to be with his Lord and Saviour on August 13th, 2016. Fergy was born in Toronto, ON January 4th, 1940 and is survived by his wife Mary (Greer), daughter Melanie, son Sean (Shannon) and grandchildren Cary and Ruth.Raised in Dauphin, MB and Toronto, ON, he received a degree in Forestry from the University of Toronto and in 1968 began working in Quetico Provincial Park. During his time at Quetico, Fergy started to study for the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Canada. Although he loved working where he could be immersed in nature, Fergy grew more and more certain that God wanted him to be a fulltime priest. In 1983, Fergy left one ministry for another and fully committed himself to the Lord, leaving Atikokan and his beloved Quetico to study at the University of Manitoba. He graduated with his Masters of Divinity and was ordained May 22nd, 1986.Fergy went on to serve at St. Alban’s Cathedral in Kenora, ON. Most of his pastoral care was “on the street” ministering to people where they were and on their own terms reflecting his passion to minister to a congregation, and to be one-on-one council to those in spiritual need.In 1995, an invitation from Correctional Services Canada (CSC) led Fergy to become a chaplain in the federal prison system at the Regional Treatment Centre (RTC), a psychiatric facility within Kingston Penitentiary. There he ministered to staff and inmates alike until his retirement in the spring of 2013. While with CSC he set up a web page “Have Robe Will Travel” and sent out inspirational ‘Thots for the Week’ email messages to readers world wide, coast to coast and abroad. His final ‘thot’ “In the end it’s not the years of your life that count. It’s the life in your years,” – Abraham Lincoln, reflects how Fergy chose to live his life.From 1996 to 2014 Fergy and Mary cruised every 2 years. Throughout all the cruises, he was constantly in awe of the majesty of God’s creation and was so thankful to have met many beautiful people, many of whom are now fast friends.A heartfelt thanks goes out to all the medical staff, clergy, friends, prayer partners and family who ministered and continually prayed for him over the past year. Special thanks to Scott (Kathleen) who has been like the brother he never had. Thank you Scott for making Fergy’s last night such a beautiful and animated evening.Fergy’s earthly remains have been cremated and his ashes will be interred in Thunder Bay next summer.A celebration of Fergy’s life with Holy Communion will be held Friday September 23rd, 2016at 1:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cataraqui, 990 Sydenham Road, Kingston with reception following.Those who wish to make a donation in memory of Fergy, may do so to Hospice Kingston (36 Barrie St., Kingston, ON K7L 3J7); the Friends of Quetico Park (PO #29127, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6P9) or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to CATARAQUI CEMETERY AND FUNERAL SERVICES.