Jack was a long-serving and well-known priest and archdeacon in our diocese; well respected and appreciated.
Jack died on Friday, February 3, just three weeks short of his 97th birthday. He was predeceased by his wife of over 70 years, Pat, in 2019, and is survived by his sons Lorne Major of Fort Langley and David Major of Vancouver, and grandchildren Paul and Carolyn.
Originally from Fort Langley, Jack was baptized and married at St. George, Fort Langley.
Jack was educated at the Anglican Theological College at UBC, graduating with a Diploma in Theology in 1963, and an LTh in 1966.
Jack was ordained to the diaconate in 1963, and to the priesthood in 1964, here in the Diocese of New Westminster. Prior to his ordination to the priesthood he was a student minister at St. Michael, Surrey from 1961 to 1963.
He served St. Laurence, Coquitlam starting in 1963, when it was a new mission, until 1969. He was the Incumbent of St. David, Boundary Bay from 1970-1979 and St. Matthew, Abbotsford from 1979-1991. After his retirement he was Priest-in-Charge of All Saints, Agassiz and St. Peter, Rosedale from 1995-1996.
He was also Regional Dean of South Fraser Deanery, Deas/Nicomekl Deanery, and Yale Deanery prior to being appointed as Archdeacon of Yale in 1985. He subsequently served as Archdeacon of Fraser, retiring in 1991.
Jack served on the VST Senate and on many diocesan committees including the Ministry Commission, the Committee on Renewal, the Task Force on Leadership Training, and the Task Force on Worship. He was a sessional lecturer at VST in Pastoral Theology in 1978, and was a supervising pastor for theological students in VST’s Field Education Programme. He chaired the Youth Unit from 1969 to 1971. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Sorrento Centre.
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The Venerable Jack Major in 2008
Funeral details are yet to be confirmed.