Funeral services for the Reverend Dr. Everett James Briard will be held Monday Jan. 30th, 2023.
Everett passed away peacefully, surrounded by friends and family at Lakeridge Health Oshawa on Tuesday January 24th, 2023 after a short stay in hospital. Predeceased by his loving wife Lorna. Loving father of Bruce (Sheila), Mark (Janet), Joy (Steve Sisnett), and Melanie (Paul Calandra). Dear grandfather of Rachel, Shayna, Kai, Elliott, Leah, Danielle, Natalie, Olivia, and Spencer. Brother of Marilyn (Toronto).
Everett was born in Paspebiac on the Gaspe Peninsula on June 6th 1930. He was one of three students in Canada to win a prestigious scholarship covering all costs from McGill. This allowed him to attend and he earned a degree from McGill. He then attended the Presbyterian College from which he graduated in 1954. He ministered in Montreal until 1968 when he moved to West Rouge, Ontario. There he looked after two congregations until they became self-supporting in 1974. Everett stayed with Grace Presbyterian Church and while there earned his Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. He retired from full time ministry in 1997 but even after retirement Everett remained active in the ministry.
Everett enjoyed puzzles, board games, and socializing with family and friends. He remained a strong man of faith until the end.
The family will receive friends at the McEachnie Funeral Home, 28 Old Kingston Road, Ajax (Pickering Village) from 4 to 7 Saturday and Sunday. The Funeral will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church 447 Port Union Road on Monday January 30th, 2023 at 10:30 am. A reception will follow the service at Grace. Should family or friends desire, donations to World Vision Canada would be greatly appreciated.
CONDOLENCES
You may leave a message of condolence for the family in our online Guestbook.
Your gentle face and patient smile,
With sadness we recall.
You had a kindly word for each
And died beloved by all.
The voice is muteand stilled the heart,
That loved us well and true.
Ah, bitter was the trial to part
From one so good as you.
You are not forgotten loved one,
Nor will you ever be
As long as life and memory last,
We will remember thee.
We miss you now,our hearts are sore,
As time goes by we miss you more.
Your loving smile, your gentle face
No one can take your vacant place.
Rev. Briard was a great influence in my life as a child growing up in Grace. From him baptizing myself and my sisters, to giving me my first Bible, to marrying me in 2008 of which he came out of retirement to perform that ceremony, I will forever be grateful to him for the profound impact he had on my life. He will truly be missed by many but finally reunited with Lorna.
View MoreI joined Grace Presbyterian Church in 2000 and kept on hearing so much about Dr. Briard who had served until 1997. His strong faith in God and his influence on the Grace community and beyond was still tangible after his departure. When he returned to preach, there was hardly an empty seat in Grace. Then I understood why he was held in such high esteem. I had the good fortune to meet Bruce at L’Amoreaux CI when I was appointed Vice-Principal and later Principal. Through Bruce I was able to find out about his Dad, how he was doing and the various outreach endeavours in which he was still heavily involved. Dr. Briard’s life touched so many as evidenced in the many whom he mentored, married, blessed and connected with. Rest in Peace Dr. Briard. Your servant leadership will remain a strong force in our daily walk with Christ.
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