Rev. Dr. John Edward McKay Birtch

The Rev. Dr. Canon John Edward McKay Birtch was born June 12, 1929 in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. He passed away December 1, 2024, after a rapid decline in his health. John was 95 years of age at the time of his death.

John was preceded in death by his loving wife P. Joanne Birtch (nee Milburn) whom he married August 19, 1953, and is survived by his daughter Maureen Birtch Roberts (and her husband John) and his son Stephen Birtch. He is predeceased by his parents J. McKay and Evelyn Birtch and 3 siblings, Tom, Robert and Mary Birtch Lilleman.

John graduated from Woodstock Collegiate Institute in June 1947 then earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario, a Licentiate in Theology at Huron University and a Bachelor of Divinity, and a Dr. Divinity. He was also a Graduate of St. Augustine college, Canterbury, England and earned his Doctor of Ministry at Virginia Theological Seminary.

He served as a commissioned Officer in the armored core of the Canadian Army and obtained his private pilot’s license through the Canadian Air Force.

John was ordained as a deacon June 8, 1952 and ordained as a priest May 31, 1953. John was honored with the lifetime title of honorary Canon of the church by Bishop Hargrave in 1972.

John was Rector of and built St. Barnabas, London Ontario Canada, St Jude London Ontario Canada and St Bartholomew’s Sarnia Ontario Canada. In 1968 John moved to become the Rector of St. John’s Preston Ontario Canada. In 1971 he moved to St. Petersburg Florida to become the Rector of St. Bartholomew’s. In 1978 he became the Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church Indian Rocks Beach Florida, retiring in 1994 as Rector Emeritus.

After retiring from Calvary, he was on staff at All Saints in Lakeland Florida and performed Sunday services at St. Luke’s in Mulberry. In addition, he served as a supply priest for the Diocese of Central Florida.

John served on many different church committees over the years. He was recently on staff at All Saints' Episcopal Church, Lakeland Florida. He served as dean of Lampton, Waterloo and Clearwater Deaneries. John served on many committees and boards of governors, serving two terms on the standing committee and as a trustee of the Anglican fellowship of prayer. All of this with the guidance of Holy Spirit and the support of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Head of the Church.

In his retirement, he and Joanne travelled the country extensively in their motorhome and did a variety of cruises seeing sights around the world.

In 2004, he moved to the Estates at Carpenters where he and his wife Joanne conceived, organized and performed many programs and services in spite of his failing vision.

A Requiem Mass will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 202 South Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland, Florida on Monday December 16 at 11:00am. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 815 2nd Avenue, New York, New York 10017, All Saints Episcopal Church, 209 South Iowa Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33801 or Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306.