Canon Geoffrey Jackson, General Synod’s senior development officer, died suddenly due to heart failure on Jan. 5. Canon Jackson, aged 69, was returning home from Church House, where he had been employed since 2005.
Canon Jackson was first hired at General Synod to lead the national Letting Down the Nets development initiative. He travelled widely across Canada, assisting churches and dioceses in strategic planning, annual appeals, congregational development, and stewardship education. He also worked to cultivate major gifts for parishes, dioceses, and the national church. Before this, Canon Jackson worked as the Diocese of Ontario’s executive officer.
Born in Darlington, England, Canon Jackson first pursued a career as a banker. He moved to Canada in 1973. An active volunteer, Canon Jackson co-founded the Ontario Stewardship Network and chaired the board of directors for Grenville Christian College in Brockville, Ont.
In a prayer service held yesterday at Church House, the Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, remembered Canon Jackson’s deep faith. He noted the significance of his passing close to the Feast of the Epiphany, and linked the Magi’s gift-giving to Canon Jackson’s own desire to give good gifts to Christ through his work at the church.
Canon Jackson is survived by his wife Elizabeth, three sons, and four grandchildren. His funeral will be held on Jan. 12, 1:00 p.m. at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Waterloo, Ont. Archbishop Hiltz will preside and the Right Rev. Peter Mason, retired bishop of the Diocese of Ontario, will preach. Condolences and donations can be arranged by contacting the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home: (519) 745-8445.
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