Rev. Dr. Garfield (Gary) Rupert Walsh unexpectedly passed away at the age of 77 on August 16, 2021.

Gary is deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Ellen (McFarlane) Walsh; his sons, John (Jillian) Walsh, Charles Walsh, and James (Anna) Walsh; grandchildren, Duncan, Liam, Finn, Natasha, Lillian, Winston, Seamus and Cormac; great-grandson, Peter; siblings, Grant (Roxane) Walsh and Diana (Wayne) King; as well as numerous relatives, colleagues, and friends. Gary was preceded in death by grandchildren, John (Jack) Rupert Walsh and Georgia Grace Walsh.

Gary Walsh was an ordained minister in the Free Methodist Church in Canada. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Greenville University. His journey in ministry included serving in Canada, where he pastored in Ontario at the Brantford Free Methodist Church in Brantford, served as Conference Superintendent for the Canada Great Lakes Conference and was elected as Bishop of the Free Methodist Church in Canada in 1993. He also pastored in the United States at the Wilmore Free Methodist Church in Wilmore, Kentucky, and the Pearce Memorial Free Methodist Church in Rochester, New York.

Gary had a distinguished career in inter-denominational leadership, serving as President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada; global partnership development as President of Interdev; and global antipoverty initiatives as President and CEO of Opportunity International Canada. He also served as the Executive Director of Wesley Acres Christian Retreat Centre and Campground, Bloomfield, Ontario for 4 years. Gary was an exceptional leader who leaves behind a legacy of being a change-agent for the Kingdom of God.

A funeral service was held on August 20th, 2021 at the Picton United Church, Picton, Ontario. Interment at Hickside Friends Cemetery, Bloomfield. Inscription on the tombstone: “High King of Heaven, My Victory Won”