Canon Geoffrey Jackson, senior development officer for the Anglican Church of Canada, died suddenly due to heart failure on Jan. 5.
Canon Jackson, 69, had worked for General Synod since 2005, dividing his time between Toronto and a home office in Waterloo, Ont. He was director of the national church’s Letting Down the Nets development initiative, travelling across Canada to help churches and dioceses with strategic planning, annual appeals, congregational development and stewardship. He also worked to cultivate major gifts for parishes, dioceses and the national church.
“Geoff Jackson displayed that rare combination of professional accomplishment and profound humanity,” said Holland Hendrix, executive director of the department of philanthropy. “He was at the peak of a distinguished career in administration, financial management and fundraising. And yet he always made the time to offer advice and counsel to his colleagues on both professional and personal matters. He will be sorely missed, [and] the impact of his contributions will be felt for decades to come.”
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, observed that Canon Jackson died on the eve of the Epiphany, the feast that commemorates the magi presenting gifts to the infant Jesus. “In his life Geoff gave generously of his time, talent and treasure to Christ, and in his ministry he encouraged and enabled others to do the same. With diligence and graciousness he went about his work. We give thanks for the many gifts the church has received through the ministry of this faithful servant of Christ.”
Canon Jackson is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, three sons, daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.