Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant.
We give thanks for the life of Bruce Campbell Gifford, Priest, and are grateful for his ministry in our diocese and in the Anglican Church of Canada.
Bruce died on Monday, November 6, 2023, at Mount St. Joseph’s Hospital, Vancouver.
Bruce was born in New Westminster BC where he attended elementary and secondary school and attended Holy Trinity Cathedral with his family.
Bruce was educated at UBC where he graduated with a BA (Psychology and Literature). He was awarded a Konrad Adenaur Exchange Scholarship for study in Theology and Literature at Heidelberg University which cemented his already developing relationship with German language and culture. Continuing his academic work at the University of California-Berkeley, he was employed as a teaching assistant in the Department of Germanic Studies and graduated with an MA in German Literature in 1956. Having had his vocation to the priesthood affirmed, he enrolled at the University of Trinity College, Toronto where he earned an LTh in 1959.
Ordained to the diaconate in 1958, and to the priesthood in 1959, by Bishop Walter Bagnall of the Diocese of Niagara, Bruce served as Deacon Assistant at St. John, Ancaster, Ontario from 1958 to 1959 and as Rector at St. Michael, Hamilton from 1960 to 1961. He was also a lecturer at Hamilton Teachers’ College from 1959-1961. He transferred to the Diocese of New Westminster in April 1961, to join the staff at St. James, Vancouver as Assistant Priest where he served until 1966. During this time, he was known for his religious-themed broadcasts for the CBC morning show.
Bruce returned to academia to do doctoral studies at Simon Fraser University and was an Instructor in the Department of Modern Languages. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1970 and served on many committees at the University in the early 1970s.
In 1976, Bruce was appointed Rector of the Parish of St. Mark’s, Kitsilano by Archbishop Somerville. He was appointed Chaplain at the Vancouver School of Theology in 1984 and was the Regional Dean of Arbutus-Point Grey. While at St. Mark’s he supervised many theological students. Bruce resigned from St. Mark’s in 1988 to take up the position of Director of Religious Programmes for the Government of British Columbia Corrections Branch – a position which he held until his retirement in 1993.
In 2022, Bruce was predeceased by his partner of 61 years, the Reverend Edward Hulford. He was also predeceased by his brother, Ross, nephew, John and his parents, John (Jack) and Agnes. He is survived by his nephew, Dave, niece, Kathy Glassie, Chad Jupe and Greg Kirkham, Maria Villones, and countless friends.
A Requiem Mass will be said at his request. Details are to be confirmed.
Please remember the Reverend Gifford in your prayers.