Obituary of Right Reverend Charles Robert (Bob) Townshend

On Saturday, March 14, after a life well lived, The Right Reverend Charles Robert (Bob) Townshend died at home surrounded by people who love him. Bob was a retired Suffragan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Huron.He is survived by a deeply loved family, his wife of 52 years Pat (Laba), his daughter Mary, son Todd and his wife Stacey and their children Tyne, Seth, and Samuel, his daughter Andra and her husband Patrick O'Neill and their children Grace and Lily. Also survived by sisters Betty, Mary, Barbara, Peggy, Nancy and sister-in-law Betty, brother-in-law Peter. He was also loved greatly by 25 nieces and nephews. Bob was ordained deacon on May 13,1962 and priested on May 19,1963. He was consecrated bishop on September 12, 1984 and served as the Bishop of St. Clair and later the Bishop of Georgian Bay. Before becoming bishop, Bob served the parishes of St. George’s, London; Grace Church, Bothwell, St. John’s-in-the-Woods, Aughrim and St. Matthew’s, Florence; St. James the Apostle, Sarnia; Holy Trinity, Chatham and St. George’s, Owen Sound. From 1974-1984, he served as Archdeacon of the Saugeens. In addition to diocesan service, he served as a member of the Executive and Planning Committee of Provincial Synod and chair of the Social Outreach Programme Commission. He was a member of the Council of General Synod and chair of the General Synod Administration and Finance Committee and the Pension Committee. He served on and is a lifetime member of the Executive Board and Corporation of Huron University College and as a member of the Executive Boards of Renison University College and Canterbury College.He made significant contributions in areas related to serving children, for twelve years as a Trustee of the Boards of Education in Sarnia, Chatham and Owen Sound. He is a past Director of the Ontario Public School Trustees Association as well as Chairman of the Community and Family Services in Chatham. Bob was deeply committed to serving the Scottish Rite, beginning in 1973. Bob served as Grand Prior from 1994-2003, and was honoured to serve as Sovereign Grand Commander from 2003-2006. He served as President of the Scottish Rite Charitable foundation of Canada from 2012-2014. Above all, Bob was a witness for, and a source of, God’s love in his family. He was "Dad", "Grandpa", "Poppa", to people who are very grateful to have been shaped by his life. Visitation will be held at LOGAN FUNERAL HOME, 371 Dundas Street (between Waterloo and Colborne), London on Tuesday, March 17th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. The Funeral Liturgy with Holy Eucharist will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 472 Richmond St, London, ON, on Wednesday, March 18th at 11am. Donations may be directed to the London Scottish Rite Learning Centre or St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, London ON, Endowment Fund. Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca. Services: Service Date Wednesday, March 18, 2015 Service Time 11:00 am Service Location St. Paul's Cathedral Visitation Tuesday Mar 17, 2015 Visitation Time 2-4 p.m. & 7-9 p.m. Visitation Location Logan Funeral Home 371 Dundas Street, London (between Waterloo & Colborne St.) Requested Charity London Scottish Rite Learning Centre or St. Aiden's Church, London, On Endowment Fund