Obituary of Richard H. H. Lloyd-Davies

LLOYD-DAVIES: The Very Reverend Canon Richard Lloyd-Davies, August 13, 1926 - March 11, 2015. Richard, with his family by his side, passed away at Dinsdale Personal Care Home, Brandon, Manitoba. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters Kathy Cote (Bill Cote), Shirley Lloyd-Davies (Kelly Crosson), Patty Snider (Darcy Snider), Maureen Lloyd-Davies (Jeff DeBacker); grandchildren Tom Cote (April Cote), Bryce Cote, Cody Crosson (Kaley Planidin), Teal Crosson, Courtney and Tristan Snider (Meghan Rebekah), Richard, Alex and Nina Switzer; great grandchildren Cole Crosson, Carter Bateman and soon to arrive Elijah Cote; brother, Richard Lloyd-Davies residing in England, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Lloyd was predeceased by his loving wife, Wilma Lloyd-Davies; parents Richard Lloyd-Davies and Kathleen Heard; sisters Kathleen Nancy and Sheila Victoria. Lloyd was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire-South Wales. He had one brother and two sisters. Lloyd's father died at the age of 32 and his mother passed away at the age of 39. Lloyd was orphaned at age 13. Cousin Cherry Robbins became the legal guardian of Lloyd and his siblings. Lloyd and his brother attended separate boarding schools, therefore, they were only reunited as a family on holidays. Cousin Cherry had a great presence in Lloyd's life. Interesting fact was that Cousin Cherry was a first cousin to C.S. Lewis. Lloyd attended Ashampstead Preparatory School and Cranleigh Public School in Surrey, England. He later trained and served within the ROTC (Royal Observatory Corps and Home Guard Arms) during the war, it was his responsibility to sight enemy planes and report them to the Plotting Board. Post war, Richard worked for a farmer in Herefordshire, eventually purchasing a small holding at Five Ashes in East Sussex where he raised livestock. In 1952, it was no longer feasible for Lloyd to continue farming on such a small scale so the equipment and property was sold. Lloyd travelled extensively across Canada and the United States and immigrated to Canada August 18, 1952. His first job was at Growers Farm, Lulu Island (now known as Richmond) and he then went on to work for Glen Irquirt Dairy Farm, Courtney, British Columbia. He then moved back to Vancouver where he was employed by BC Tractor, Canada Paper Box, Austin Motor Co. and Goodyear Tire respectively. Lloyd attended Holy Trinity Church in Vancouver and taught Sunday school. It is at Holy Trinity where he met the love of his life, Wilma Coffey and they married on May 1, 1958. The Clergyman at Holy Trinity recommended Lloyd to the Bishop as a possible candidate for the Ministry. Lloyd was accepted as a postulate candidate and spent three years studying theology at Emmanuel College, Saskatoon. Wilma and Lloyd ran a boarding house in Saskatoon while he took his theological training. Their first child, Kathleen, was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Lloyd was ordained in 1960 and sent to minister in the towns of Wilkie, Scoll and Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. Shirley and Patty were born in Wilkie, Saskatchewan. Lloyd and Wilma's second parish was in Lytton, British Columbia where he covered many churches encompassing a vast physical area on both sides of the Fraser River including Lytton, 30 Mile House, Nyshakup, Cisca Flats, Nicklapen, Inketsaf, Kanaka Bar and Spuzzum, often travelling by canoe, horseback and wagon. After five years in Lytton, the family moved to Ashcroft, British Columbia. Lloyd's parish responsibilities took him to Clinton Jesmond, The Flying U Guest Ranch and Cornwall Reserve. Their fourth child, Maureen, was born in Vancouver. The family spent seven years in Ashcroft. It was during this time that Lloyd exchanged parishes for nine months with a cousin in Abberley, England. As well as his ministerial duties in England he taught scripture at Abberley School for boys. When the nine month exchange concluded the family travelled back to Canada by ship to the East Coast and then by train right across Canada to Ashcroft, an experience the family will never forget. In 1972, Lloyd left active Ministry and moved the family to Kaleden, British Columbia where they opened an Antique Shop and Art Gallery. Lloyd became a worker priest visiting the Penticton General Hospital and senior homes from Kelowna to Osoyoos. In 1975, Lloyd returned to active full time ministry and moved to Brandon, Manitoba where he filled in at St. Matthews Cathedral for five months and then onto St. Mary the Virgin where he served for seven years. In 1982, Wilma and Lloyd moved to Neepawa and Ministered at both St. James Parish and Gladstone, Manitoba. In 1991, Lloyd and Wilma retired to Alexander, Manitoba where they resided for twelve years. Lloyd and Wilma then moved to Brandon for several years and then to Elgin, Manitoba for a year and a half and finally back to Brandon. Even in retirement, Richard continued being an active member of the Anglican ministry until his health began to fail. Lloyd was very proud of his antique collection and most of all his grandchildren. Where a beautiful soul has travelled, beautiful memories remain forever. Thank you to Dr. Maier and to the staff of Dinsdale Personal Care home, words cannot express our gratitude for how compassionately Lloyd was cared for over the years, especially during his last days. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Matthew's Cathedral, 403-13th Street, on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with The Very Reverend Nigel Packwood officiating. Urn placement will follow in the St. Matthew's Cathedral Columbarium. In memory of Richard, donations may be made to the Parkinson Society of Manitoba, 7 Westmount Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R2J 1P2.