REV. MICHAEL HENRY MITCHELL

Mitchell, Michael

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of the Rev. Michael Henry Mitchell on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018.
Born in Halifax, N.S. on June 3, 1953, Michael was the son of the late John Alfred Mitchell and Ruth Josephine Mitchell.
Michael first served in the Roman Catholic Church with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and was ordained as a deacon in 1979 and as a priest in 1980. The early years of his ministry were spent in Ontario in the parishes of Hamilton and Fort Frances.
Michael was ordained in the Anglican Church in 1996 and served in the parishes of St. Martin’s, Western Shore and St. Thomas, Fall River. Then on May 1, 2005, Michael and his wife, Holly, came to the parish of St. John’s Anglican Church to serve as their rector.
Michael’s ministry has led him to serve as a retreat director and ministry among Canada’s First Nations’ people in Labrador and Northern Ontario, as well as research with the provincial government and fundraising work in the not-for-profit sector.
He has served as the co-chair of the Diocese of N.S. and P.E.I. Leap for Faith Capital Campaign, and as a member of the Diocesan Planned Giving Committee since 1998, incluidng as chair from 2005-08.
In 2009, Michael was appointed Regional Dean of the South Shore Region of the Diocese and in January, 2012, he was named Archdeacon of the 13 parishes of the South Shore.
As a talented pianist, Michael always was looking for opportunities to share his love of music, whether through his own participation in services or through opening up the doors of the church to world-class performances by international artists.
To have a ministry with boundaries so wide and deep, Michael depended upon and cherished the support from his family. Times shared in simple pleasures like gardening, cooking, hiking, and reading all were considered precious to him and were a great source of his strength.
Michael is survived by his wife, Holly; daughters, Christy Hagen of Bedford and Michelle Hagen (Jody) of Dartmouth, and son, Michael (Paula) Landygo, of Winnipeg; and grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Caleigh, and Trinity.
Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Teri Bobinski of Wadena, Sask.; brothers-in-law, George (Inessa) Kulyk of Basel, Switzerland and Morris (Pat) Kulyk of Cochrane, Alta.; brothers, Greg (Sharon) Mitchell of Brookside and John (Mary) Mitchell of Brookside; sister, Debbie (Kevin) Wilson of Elmsdale; nieces, Trina, of Brookside, Crista-Lee (Ruben) of Canmore, Alta., and Stephanie (Keith) and Haley, both of Elmsdale; nephews, Matthew (Jennifer) of Brookside, Johnny (Sarah) of Eastern Passage, and Stephen (Heidi) of Brookside; aunt, Pearl Gregory of Elmsdale; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Ruth Mitchell; uncle, Harry Gregory of Elmsdale; as well as numerous aunts and uncles.
Michael always will be remembered for his big smile, his sense of humour, his infectious laugh, his positive attitude, his story-telling, his generosity, and support of all those he knew and loved. He treasured his times spent with all of his family and especially his grandchildren, whom he loved more than words can say.
He shared his love of travelling (cruising) with his wife, Holly, and together they had travelled extensively.
Michael had a profound love for the people of all the parishes he served.
A memorial service to celebrate Michael’s life will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 at 2 p.m., with the Right Rev. Ron Cutler, Archbishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and Rev. Alvin Westgate officiating.
Interment will be in St. Martin’s Anglican Cemetery in Martin’s River.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to St. John’s Anglican Church or the Palliative Care Unit of the Lunenburg Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital.