Obituary of Gerard Tingley

At the Provincial Palliative Care Centre on Saturday, June 13, 2020 Rev. Gerard Tingley of Charlottetown passed away peacefully. Fr. Gerry was born in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1938. He attended elementary schools in Saint John and Campbellton New Brunswick. In 1960, he graduated from St. Dunstan’s University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Three years later he received a Bachelor of Theology Degree from the Grande Seminaire in Montreal. During those summer years, he served as a Flt. Lieutenant in the Chaplaincy Division of the Canadian Air Force Reserve, Greenwood, N.S. While at St. Dunstan’s he was active in sports playing 4 years on both the Varsity Football and Basketball teams. On May 9, 1964 he was ordained at St. Dunstan’s Basilica in Charlottetown by Bishop MacEachern. After 4 years as associate pastor at the Basilica Parish he studied Liturgy at St. Andrews College in Bruges, Belgium (1968-69). On his return he was appointed the first Roman Catholic Chaplain at UPEI, a position he held until 1975. For the next two years he was deeply involved with the expanding Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese including being the PEI representative on the Atlantic Pastoral Team of the Charismatic Renewal. His long pastoral ministry included Rollo Bay for six years, St. Dunstan’s Basilica for 15 years and St Joachim’s in Vernon River for another 15 years. In 2014, Fr. Gerry retired from parish ministry, after which he served as Chaplain for the Sisters of Martha in Charlottetown. Fr. Gerry was predeceased by his parents Charles and Katharine (O’Hanley) Tingley. He is survived by his brother, Richard "Dick" (Ann-Marie) of Saint John, N.B. and his three nieces Mary Beth (Robert) of Quispamsis, N.B., Katherine Lynn (Robert) of Toronto, Ont. and Robyn Jane (Brent) of Rothesay, N.B. along with four grand nephews and nieces, Nicholas, Dixon, Mary Grace and Olivia Ann-Marie. Fr. Gerry's family expresses appreciation to Dr. Barry Fleming and the doctors, nurses and staff of the Provincial Palliative Care Centre for their care and support. Heartfelt Thanks to Arlene and Deryck Powers and family, Sr. Rosemary MacDonald, Fr. Keith Kennefic, Fr. John Lacey and our many Island friends for their friendship and assistance to Fr. Gerry and the family. As a Memorial to him, Fr. Gerry’s wish was that a special act of kindness be shown to those in need or a donations to a charity of the donor's choice. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Hillsboro Funeral Home, Stratford. Due to current public health restrictions, a Memorial Mass and interment will be held at a later date. A recording of the Funeral Mass may be viewed by clicking on the camera on the left side of this death notice.