The Venerable Archibald Skirving
Died: December 24, 2020 | Place: London, Ontario
Obituary
SKIRVING, The Venerable Archibald…
With great love and deep sorrow, our family announces Archie’s death, after living for several months with the complications of Pancreatic Cancer.
After nearly 62 years of marriage, he is survived by his loving wife and best friend Anne. Dear father of Robert Stuart Skirving and his wife Sandy of Kinston, North Carolina, Elizabeth Anne Skirving and her husband Frank Franchetto of London and Julie Marie Skirving of Toronto.
Grandfather of Catherine Buckner and her husband Allen of Davidson, North Carolina and Matthew Skirving, and his wife Leslie of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jonathan Franchetto and Arianna Franchetto of London. Great grandfather of Logan and Miriam Buckner of Davidson, NC.
Brother-in-law of Jane Stuart and her husband Norman Dussault, Alexis Clark and her husband Tom and their children Alex, Jessie and her husband Andree Navarro and Adele. Remembered by many cousins and family friends. Predeceased by his parents Robert Earle Skirving (1937) and Ferne Collop Skirving (1980).
His education was first at Huron College, B.A. and B.Th. Graduate studies were at Wycliffe College Th. M. and School of Theology at the University of the South D. Min.
Upon ordination, Archie’s ministry was centred in Windsor, Chatham, Cambridge and London.
He was a member of the Board at Renison College, the Chair of the Board, as well as an Honorary Senior Fellow.
For many years, Archie was an active Rotarian, in clubs in Preston, Chatham and London. He was President of London South and a Paul Harris Fellow.
Many happy summers were enjoyed at the family cottage near Tobermory. After retirement, travel included cruises in the Caribbean, Europe, Great Britain and Alaska. Weeks were spent in France, Italy and Scotland, with many happy memories.
The palliative care of doctors and nurses eased his journey with the pancreatic cancer. The family wishes to thank all those in the Palliative Care Team.
A private family service will be held, with scattering of cremated remains in St. James Westminister Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Meals on Wheels London, 356 Queens Avenue, London, ON N6B 1X6 or St. Joseph’s Hospice, 485 Windermere Road, P.O. Box 1449, Station B, London, ON N6A 5M2. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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Dear Skirving Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Archie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May his memory forever be a blessing.
Hugs,
Gregory & Marque
Anne and family,
I was sorry to read of Archie’s death. I have many memories of his warmth and kindness to me and to our family. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate this strange new landscape of his absence.
With love,
Michael
Archdeacon Skirving was a wonderful man, inspiring priest, and great friend of my father in their ministries in Huron. May his memory be eternal.
My sincere condolences to Anne, Robert, Elizabeth and Julie and their families. He truly was an amazing man and I’ll sure he will be greatly missed by all.
Thoughts and prayers to you all,
Sincerely,
Jill Bewsher
Dear Anne, Rob, Beth & Julie. We were saddened to hear of Archie’s passing. Please know that you are in our prayers and Archie will be forever in our hearts.
Deeply saddened to learn of Archie’s illness and passing. He was a dedicated member of the D. of Huron clergy and proud husband to Anne. I have clear memories in past of hearing him express his great joy and pride in his children and grandchildren. We send you all our deepest sympathies and prayers.
I can’t believe. It was such a sad loss. He was a great and lovely man. His dear wife and family members will be in our prayers.????
Anne, Rob. Beth and Julie:
Deepest sympathies to you and your families from Linda and myself on the passing of Archie. At least it was peaceful, for which we are thankful.
We have been friends for about 50 years and he will be greatly missed not only by us but also by many, many others whose lives he touched. He and Anne are the Godparents of our younger daughter and we have fond memories of good family visits in London, Preston, Chatham and Tobermory. Anglicans love titles and when I was Chancellor of the Diocese, he jokingly addressed me as “Your Extravagance”. When he was at St James (Westminster), I ended up attending it occasionally, usually for some special service. Knowing that I was an active member of another Anglican parish, each time he usually had the Churchwardens primed to offer me a set of offering envelopes for St James. He was a good and faithful servant of the Living God and I am sure that he is getting Heaven reorganized right now.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult time.
Stephen
I was a curate at a Trinity Galt when Archie was in Preston. When I celebrated my first communion as a priest at an 8:00am service at Trinity Archie took the time to attend the service and encourage me. He encouraged me on several other occasions as well. It meant a lot to me. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and my prayers are with the family. My own wife passed away in September so I know what the family must be going through. Blessings and may God’s peace enfold you.
Our condolences to the Skirving family. We share treasured memories of a fine priest and wonderful person who was very supportive of us through numerous times in the Diocese of Huron and in wider church circles.
Dear Anne and the young – I am so very sorry to learn of Archie’s death. I have many many happy memories of John’s and my times with all of you all over the Diocese of Huron and then later in Pewee Valley, Kentucky. He was a good man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. My love to all of you. Pat MacLean
Archie was the first person to welcome me into the postulancy process. A kind and gentle man, a true servant of God. May he rest in peace, his memory always be a blessing.
Andrea+
We are sad to hear of this loss of a longtime friend. Prayers for his family and loved ones.
Many an hour was spent talking with Archie about cars, travelling and scotch, with priority changing as the mood suited!
A true Gentleman with a great sense of humour, he will be sorely missed by all the staff at Acura West.
Dear Anne, Rob, Beth and Julie,
It was with sadness that I learned of Archie’s death over Christmas. He was truly devoted and justifiably proud of his dear wife and family. It must have given him a great comfort to have had you present during his palliative care and at his passing. He and I were long-standing associate priests of the Society of St. John the Evangelist and of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine – associations that shaped and nurtured our vocations and ministries. In fact, I discovered our paths had first crossed fifty-five years ago when visiting on retreat the former SSJE monastery in Bracebridge, Ontario. Archie was likely beginning to research the history of the Cowley Fathers’ ministry in the Muskoka which he later published. Years later, I valued having him as as a colleague when we both served in the Region of Waterloo and in London. It was at this time of the year that Claudia and I, along with Stephen and Linda Adams enjoyed your hospitality to usher in a New Year. Archie died on Christmas Eve when we celebrate the light of Christ entering our world and overwhelming its darkness. May that same light that brought him peace be your comfort and peace as you move forward during such a challenging time. Blessings, Neil
Archie was my senior student at
Huron College in1956 and we have
crossed paths many times, most
lately as a member of St. johns. I
didn’t know he was ill and sorry to
learn of his passing. God’s blessing
on Anne and the Family
Elizabeth, Frank, Jonathan & Arianna: Please accept our deepest sympathies.
My deepest condolences to Archie’s family. Archie has had a major impact upon my years in ministry having had the privilege of serving as a curate with him for three years at St. James Westminster. He was both an encourager and a challenger. Our collect for Christmas Eve, something he has prayed many many times is such an encouraging and appropriate proclamation at the time our brother went to be with our Lord. “Eternal God, this holy night is radiant with the brilliance of your one true light. As we have known the revelation of that light on earth, bring us to see the splendour of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Go forth from this world in peace my brother on the greatest adventure of your life.
Dear Skirving Family,
I only met your dad/husband/grandfather once, so I mostly know him from the many stories I’ve heard from Julie, who has become a cherished friend.
He was clearly revered and adored by his family and his best qualities live on in his kids and grand kids.
Losing someone at Christmas and during a pandemic must be extra difficult. I am sending love and warm wishes to you all. I hope his spirit feels extra alive to you on future Chrismases and that the good memories crowd out the sorrows as the years pass.
Warmest regards,
Mandy Moore
A reminder of the relentless march of time and mortality. We’ve had a long interwoven history. I will remember you Archie, as one who benefitted from your encouragement and support in my ministry over these many years. Blessings of peace to the whole family making this transition.
I am indeed sorry to hear of Archibald’s passing he was a nice man and will be missed by everyone he knew in his ministry.
Anne, I am so sorry to hear of Archie’s passing, he was a wonderful man with a great spirit, I will miss our bantering conversations in the store, it always enlightened my day to see the two of you.
Stay strong and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
My remembering earliest encounters with “Anglicans of stature” after joining Huron College’s Foundation recalled my meeting Anne and Archie at an HC function. We were in full professional dress. I explained that my United Church background precluded me from recognizing his rank, and left me with either calling him “Reverend” or by his first name. His reply was “Easy – call me ‘Arch’ and we are good both ways”. Much more comfortable, especially when we would run into each other again there and at District Rotary events. A very nice man and couple. Good memories. My sincere condolences to Anne, and Beth and Rob who I also recall well from good times.
On behalf of the Muzylowsky Family from St. James Westminster Anglican Church. We would like to express our deepest sympathies to Anne and Skirving Family over the passing of Archie. Archie will be sorrily missed and we lost such a great kindred spirit. RIP Archie!
Our sincere condolences to the entire Skirving family. Anne has been so important to our whole family, we want you to know you are in our thoughts in your time of loss.
Lauren, Jo-Anne and Ken Harris
Very saddened to hear about Rev Skirving.
We attended the then St Timothys Anglican in London where Rev Skirving was the minister, and he was an inspirational person. I moved to another area but my late mother Alice Mcmurray kept attending St Timothys and grew to respect and appreciate him more and they kept in touch till her passing in 2005.
Brad Mcmurray
I met Archdeacon Skirving while working at the Diocese of Huron. When he came in the office he was always, happy, friendly and kind. It was a pleasure to have known him. My condolences to his family. Maria
Like the rest of St. John’s parish, Debbie and I were blessed when Archie chose to spend some years in our church. He and Anne usually sat right in front of us, and we enjoyed conversation there, at the following coffee hour and, occasionally, in our homes. We remember him as a fine preacher, a friendly conversationalist, a good family guy, and a really good man overall.
Dear Elizabeth and the Skirving Family Members and Friends;On behalf of all retired and present staff members at St,Joesephs Healthcare in London and St.Thomas Ontario,,I would like to send you all our truly wonderful condolences on the recent passing of a true beloved citizen of our community taken from our world too soon .may the power of your Anglican Faiths and devine wisdom lead you all forward with God divine guidance and natural abilities forward ib the future to brighter days forthcoming in all you various personal lives and great careeraspirations under his divine guidance as you all move forward to brighter days ahead forthcoming for each one of you with your heads held high and smiles on each of your faces as you remember the great times shared with this wonderful man we trust.It was truly a pleasure to have known him and to embrace his knowledge of the world for all to share and learn as we continue along lifes chosen highways for each one of us while overcoming the obstacles in each of our lives with his divine blessings and guidance.Yours Sincerely Brian Cross;31 YearMainDeskVolunteer Parkwood Hospital;London,Ontario.
Dear Elizabeth and Family
We were saddened to learn of your Dad’s passing and wanted to extend our thoughts and gratefulness to you for having introduced us and made it possible for òur three children to be christened by Archdeacon Archie and to be welcomed and embraced by the St. James Westminster Church family.
We have very fond memories of your Dad’s visits to our home as we prepared for each Christening and of his genuine interest, generosity and joy in our children and their stories.
We remain forever blessed by his touch to the beginning of our children’s lives and that of ourselves as a family.
Thinking of you at this
Eileen Britt
Dear Anne,Rob,Beth and Julie: Rita and I were so saddened to hear of Archie”s passing. Our family has many treasured memories of his ministry, guidance and friendship during our years of membership at St. James, Westminster. Our family has made a donation to Meals On Wheels on behalf of The Venerable Archibald Skirving.
It saddens me to read this. He was the one who invited me into Rotary which I enjoyed for a few years (until kids). Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Xo ??
Dear Anne and Family,
Archie’s long career is cause for celebration, even as his death is cause for grief. My memoriers of him centre on his time at St. James Westminster and later, of course, at Bishop Cronyn, although I do recall meeting him in the mid-1960’s at Transfiguration and at St. John’s during the interim between the ministries of Clarence Foreman and Terry Finlay. His personal warmth and dry humour were gifts to us all.
My warmest wishes to all the Skirvings.
Dear Skirving Family
Please accept my deepest condolences. May your memories give you peace and comfort.
We are so sorry to hear of Archie’s passing. We so enjoying getting to know Archie and Anne at St. John’s. We send our love and prayers to Anne.
Anne, I am so incredibly sad to hear of your loss. I enjoyed my time at St. James Westminster with Archie at the helm. Andrew and Christopher also share in my sadness. You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts.