OBITUARY: Alexander Bruce STAVERT (1940-2023)

Alexander Bruce STAVERT (April 1, 1940 – September 11, 2023), Archbishop in the Anglican Church of Canada, died at the Jewish General Hospital of Montreal in his 84th year. He was the youngest son of Reuben Ewart Stavert and Kathleen Helen Rosamond.

Born in Montreal April 1, 1940, Archbishop Stavert studied at Roslyn School, Lower Canada College, Bishop’s University in Lennoxville and Trinity College in Toronto. Ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Quebec in 1965, early in his career he served in parishes in Schefferville and on the Lower North Shore. 

His priestly ministry beyond the Diocese of Quebec included serving as chaplain at Bishop’s University and Trinity College, and then as dean and rector of St. Alban’s Cathedral, Prince Albert, in the Diocese of Saskatchewan. In 1990 he was called back to the Diocese of Quebec, having been elected to serve as our eleventh bishop. Consecrated the following year, he served as diocesan bishop until his retirement in 2009. From 2004 to 2009 he also served as the twenty-first Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada.

In retirement he moved to Hudson, Que., in the Diocese of Montreal, and continued to be active in ministry, assisting the bishops notably as an interim priest-in-charge and later honorary assistant at St. Matthias, Westmount, the church in which he was baptized and confirmed.

Archbishop Stavert’s theological interests were many, and included liturgy and ecumenism, particularly the strengthening of relationships with the Roman Catholic Church. He also served on many committees of the General Synod.  

Bruce was a highly intelligent man and an avid reader with a wicked sense of humour. He was especially skilled at imitating people he loved and respected. He enjoyed walking and skiing, both cross-country and downhill, and sailing. He loved his cottages in Ste. Agathe, Candle Lake and Lake Beauport. He travelled the world and served as a mentor and inspiration to many. He carried himself with grace and dignity and will be missed.

Archbishop Bruce is survived by his wife of 41 years, Diana (née Greig), and their children Kathleen (Gab), Rosamond (Mike) and Timothy, as well as his grandchildren, Miakim and Hendrick.

The funeral will be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec City on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 11 a.m.