HAY RIVER - Rev. Andy Yorke returned to the North in July to visit old friends and found himself leading three funeral services within the month.

Anglican minister Rev. Andy Yorke, who served in the Mackenzie Delta region for nearly 14 years, returned with his family in July for a visit to the communities. From left, Philippa Yorke, Rachel Yorke, Rev. Andy Yorke and Anna Yorke and the rectory dog, Nugget. - Katie May/NNSL photo

Yorke and his wife, Rachel, originally from England, served in Tuktoyaktuk, Fort McPherson, Sachs Harbour and Inuvik for a combined 14 years before moving back to the Isle of Wight on England's south coast two years ago. The couple started their family in Inuvik and one of their daughters, Philippa, now lives in Edmonton.

The Yorkes had planned to visit her this summer and thought it would be "really strange to visit Canada without seeing all our friends up North," Andy said.

After his Anglican bishop in England granted him leave, Andy arranged to fill in for Rev. David Parsons at Inuvik's Anglican Church of the Ascension for the month of July – an opportunity Andy credits to his "boss" as he points toward the sky.

"It's a bit of a miracle that I could be here," before heading off to Whitehorse with his family on July 31, he said.

"Some people said 'welcome home' when we got here," he said, adding that he was glad to be there for the community members during the memorial services of William Gruben, Burton Keevik and Andrew Essau. He said he was encouraged to see more people becoming involved with the church and "moving on with their lives."

The Yorkes stayed at the church rectory in Inuvik during their visit, and Andy travelled to Tuk, McPherson, Sachs Harbour and Aklavik, where he was welcomed generously by old friends.

"We have feasted," he chuckled. "We've been to five feasts and that's been lovely to visit friends all in one go."