Derek Wallace Gove
(Father Theodore)
Its is with heavy hearts that the family of Fr. Theodore announce his passing on March 2, 2021.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his sister Heather Gove.
Derek was predeceased by his parents, Wallace and Kathleen.
Fr. Theodore was born and raised in Edmonton, where he received a B.A. and B.Ed. degrees at the University of Alberta, as well as pursuing graduate studies in history and educational administration there. He taught high school for a number of years, as well as serving on the Board of St. Barbara’s Cathedral, and on the Bishop’s counsel of the Russian (Patriarchal) Orthodox Diocese, centered in Edmonton. He studied theology at the Gregorian University/Russicum in Rome. It was there that he received his STB degree, and then completed graduate studies in theology in at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary in Pennsylvania (MDiv.), and the Newman Roman Catholic Theological College in Edmonton (MTh). He was ordered to the Priesthood by Metropolitan Soterios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada in 1980, and appointed to serve a small Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Edmonton which, at the time, was canonically part of the Greek diocese. Subsequently, he served as pastor of St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church of Edmonton and a brief stint at Ypapanti Greek Orthodox Parish in Victoria, before coming to serve the parish in Prince George at Easter of 2000. Fr. Theodore is a tireless advocate of the need to create strong, indigenous Orthodox Church in Canada, capable of fulfilling our Lord’s mandate of bringing the saving message of the Gospel to our entire nation.
A private family interment was held, and Derek is resting at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
Fr Theodore Gove was a dear friend, parish priest and colleague, working together with him at St. Georges Greek Orthodox Church. He was an exceptional priest, leader, and human being who was respected from many years by his parishoners and colleagues in Western Canada.
May God grant him repose and may his memory be eternal.
Demetrios (Jim) and Ekaterini Kutsogiannis
Father Ted,
We are deeply sad to hear your physical departure from us. You have always been a part of our small church family. Your loving presence with a smile touched us and your prayer with us inspired us. When I write this to you I know you are spiritually with us. As you are with the Lord, you are experiencing a life in fullness. We will remember your friendship and brotherly love. God grant you eternal life!
In Christ,
Fr. Davis
Church of the Resurrection (ACCC)
Our sincerest condolences for your loss. May his memory be eternal and may he rest in peace. He will be missed.
The Diamond Family.
My deepest condolences. Father Theodore was such a lovely, kind man and I am very sorry to hear of his passing.
A true and sincere friend, brother and co-celebrant in Christ’s vineyard, a humble disciple of the Lord! May he rest in peace and may his memory be eternal and everlasting. My sincere condolences and my deepest sympathy to his family.
My deepest condolences to the family of Father Ted (as we knew him). He was a lovely soul and I will greatly miss our conversations and his droll sense of humour. He made miracles happen when he managed to bring my husband closer to faith than anyone else was able to. I am forever grateful and will cherish our friendship.
A great and true friend of the Greek Orthodox Community of Edmonton. Working with him was always a pleasure and joy. we shall miss him, may his memory be eternal
Father Gove married my wife and I in 2001. He was very sweet with us and showered us with wisdom for our lives ahead. Condolences to his family and may his memory be eternal.
Fr. Gove was a dear friend and confidant. We lost a good-hearted person with a brilliant mind. I cherish the countless hours we spent conversing at Franco’s restaurant. We were often the last to leave at closing time, after discussing the concept of “Canadian” Orthodoxy at length. As well, he was solely responsible for me training for a career in Respiratory Therapy. For myself and my family, his passing is a real loss. May his memory be eternal.
Father Gove or Derek as I knew him was a dear friend since high school. He will be deeply missed and especially his energy, friendship, correspondence with his wonderful sense of humour and care with interest in all of us. He left us suddenly and now we mourn our dear friend and will be deeply missed. He is in our hearts forever. Sincerest condolences, from my husband Henry, daughter Elaine and her 5 children, Stephanie and her 2 children.
Henry and Lily Sims and family
A big loss to everyone. Fr.Gove was a empathetic man and a kick ass ping pong player, we had great memories in college, a fun guy who could out drink a sailor.
Fr Gove was an amazing man. He once did a sermon in Kitimat, BC in the late 90s and I had the pleasure of driving him from Kitimat to Prince George so he could take the bus back to Edmonton. We spoke about a lot of different things on life and faith. I never forgot him and always kept on touch over the years. I reached out a few years ago and asked if he would come down to Calgary and marry my wife and I. With no hesitation, he said yes and he took the bus the day of our wedding. I picked him up on that Saturday morning and drove him to the church. When we arrived, he asked me to stay in the car and we chatted. He remembered everything that we had spoke about 20 years later. It was heartwarming.
Fr Ted did an amazing job at our wedding and my wife, who met him for the first time that day, absolutely fell in love with him.
He was an amazing individual and will be dearly missed.
I know this message is long overdue. I never found out until recently of Fathers passing. Heather, I would appreciate if you could contact me. Your brother was a dear friend of my family especially my sister, Theresa. I know it has been two years but please accept my sympathy.