Eric Lowe, Priest: October 5, 1926 - February 27, 2017

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Melissa Skelton

I write to tell you that the Reverend Eric Lowe, priest, died on Monday, February 27, 2017 in South Surrey, BC.

Eric was born in Athlone Ireland in 1926, the son of George and Mary Lowe.

Eric came to Canada as a student in April, 1947 under the sponsorship of the Colonial and Continental Church Society. He graduated in 1951 with a BA from the University of Saskatchewan and an LTh from Emmanuel College, Saskatoon that same year. He was ordained to the diaconate in May, 1951 and to the priesthood in 1952.

Eric also studied full-time at UBC in 1967-68 while on furlough as a missionary in India.  He was obviously committed to being a lifelong learner with his file filled full of the records of the regular courses and seminars he completed.  

He served first as Rector of Duck Lake and Rosthern in the Diocese of Saskatoon from 1951-1953 and then as Missionary-in-Charge at Loon Lake in the Diocese of Saskatchewan from 1953-1956. From 1954 to 1956 he was Rural Dean of Turtleford and a member of the Diocesan Executive Committee.  

In September, 1954 he married Margaret Bradshaw.

From 1956 to 1961 he served in parish ministry at St Andrew's, Lahore in the Diocese of Lahore, Pakistan and later as Missionary-in-Charge, Gojra supported by the Bible and Medical Missionary Society (BMMS). He was appointed as Executive Secretary for the BMMS in North India and served from 1963-1970 as priest-in-charge of St Paul's, Landour in the Diocese of Lucknow. He became Deputy Director for Canada of BMMS from 1970-1975. He and Margaret served for 19 years with BMMS, now Interserve, in Pakistan, India and Canada.

Eric was appointed rector of St. Thomas' Church, Vancouver, August 1975 and then rector of St. Alban's, Burnaby in September 1985. He formally retired in 1993. Eric continued to serve in various part-time appointments, mostly recently at St. Mark's, Ocean Park.

Eric was predeceased by Margaret, his wife. He is survived by his sons, David (Ruby) and Peter (Justyna) and grandsons Zack and Andrew.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Church, 12953 20 Ave. Surrey, BC on Saturday, March 25th at 3pm.

Please remember our brother in your prayers and at the altar.