We are immensely sad to learn of the passing into glory of The Revd Ronald Wilson Evans (26 May 1947- 2 December 2021).

Ronald (Ron) Wilson Evans was born at Ontario, Canada, and grew up at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He studied theology at Trinity College in Toronto, Ontario, graduating with a Master of Divinity in 1973. He was ordained deacon at All Saints Cathedral, Halifax, Nova Scotia on St. Barnabas Day, June 11th, 1972 and in the spring of 1973, he was ordained priest. His first parish was All Saints in Springhill, Nova Scotia, following which he pursued graduate studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax and was a lecturer and tutor in the University of King’s College Foundation Year Programme, also in Halifax.  After his time in Halifax, he became Chaplain at King’s-Edgehill School in Windsor, Nova Scotia from 1985-1987, as well as Choir Director and a teacher of English, German, Latin, and History.  An alumna was reported to have said affectionately that as Choir Director, he suggested that given the different cultures and languages at King’s-Edgehill, it would be best to sing in Latin since that would put all students on an equal basis! Toward the end of his time at King’s-Edgehill, he moved to Bear River in the Parish of Clements where he was appointed Priest-in-Charge from 1987-1998.  Following that and after many years of yearly visits to Turkey, he moved there in 1998. 
 
For five years Ron taught English at Bilgi University in Istanbul.  During this time he served as an assistant priest at Christ Church, Istanbul, where he also accompanied services on the organ.  On various occasions he supported the Anglican congregation at Izmir as a locum priest, before being licensed to serve there as the chaplain in 2003.  Ron served St John’s Church Izmir as a faithful chaplain until his retirement in 2015.  He translated many Church of England liturgical texts into Turkish and used these to encourage a group of Turkish inquirers within the congregation, a number of whom were baptized.  During Sunday services he was often found to be at the organ as well as the pulpit and the altar, demonstrating his skill and enjoyment in music alongside his love for the church and her ministry.     
 
Ron was an avid reader of the Greek and Roman classics, and greatly enjoyed scholarly conversation with friends, especially when accompanied by a glass or two of wine.  He was a literary man who had profound insights into people and situations, although his gentle and retiring manner meant that these insights were not always heard.   
 
Ron retired from ministry in 2015, after which he enjoyed a peaceful life at the coastal town of Seferehisar about 30 miles south of Izmir.  In the past few years, Ron had suffered from declining health.  He died after a short stay in hospital in Izmir on 2 December 2021.  His funeral took place later the same day at Izmir’s Christian cemetery.  The funeral was conducted by the current Chaplain, the Revd James Buxton.  The service was attended by a number of members of the congregation of the church of St John the Evangelist, and friends Ron had made during his time in Izmir. Mgr Martin Kmetec, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of the city (who was a friend of Ron’s in previous years) vested and participated in the service by reading the Nunc Dimittis, and by giving the final blessing.  We commended Ron into the hands of the God whom he had served his whole life.  May he rest in peace and rise in glory!