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LONDON, ONT
A former Nunavut deputy minister and 23-year resident of Iqaluit passed away in Ontario just before Christmas.

Rev. Michael Ferris, seen here preaching at the old St. Jude's Anglican Cathedral in Iqaluit, passed away in London, Ont., on Dec. 24. Ferris was ordained an Anglican priest in 2000 and worked as the Nunavut deputy minister of community government, housing and transportation from 1999 to 2002. He lived in the territorial capital for 23 years. - photo courtesy of Kerry Ferris

Rev. Michael Ferris died suddenly at the University Hospital in London, Ont., on Dec. 24. He was 68. He leaves behind his wife Rhonda, one child, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He served as the Nunavut deputy minister of community government, housing and transportation from 1999 to 2002. Ferris had started his Northern career working as a regional superintendent for the Northwest Territories' department of municipal and community affairs, a position he held from 1982 to 1999.

He has been an Anglican priest since 2000 after the tragic death of his son, Brent Ferris, in 1986, brought him to church to explore his Christian faith. In the process leading to his ordination, he befriended fellow Anglican priest Rev. Mike Gardener.

"I got to know him as someone very loyal and faithful and keen to help and work and preach and teach. You couldn't wish for any better, more faithful person," he said. "I would call him more than just a minister but a great friend to many and to me, one to be very much missed. If his health had been alright, he would have stayed here all his life and died here."

Gardener said when he spoke to Ferris two weeks before his death, he said he wanted to come to Iqaluit for the opening of the new St. Jude's Anglican Cathedral - but Gardener said Ferris sounded "terrible" and sick over the phone when they'd previously spoke over the telephone. He added Ferris would drive 45 minutes daily to visit his wife Rhonda.

Ferris was a man who loved Nunavut, the outdoors, boating, hunting, fishing, the church and the people, said Gardener.

He was always willing to help others in their faith and probably would like to be remembered in the North for his religious work, Gardener added.

"In a way, I think of him as someone who is very loyal and doing his upmost to help the course of Christian faith in the North," he said. "His heart was truly in the North and his heart was with that church as well and the Christian faith in the North. That's what his real goal was. "

Ferris's daughter, Kerry, said her father would like to be remembered fondly, remembered for his work at the church and with the government.

A private memorial service was held in London, Ont., on Jan. 3.

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