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Father Edward "Ted" Palin Gatfield
October 4, 1921 - February 20, 2014
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<div itemprop="description">GATFIELD, Rev. Edward Palin <br />October 4, 1921 &ndash; February 20, 2014 <br />From his earthly home into Eternal Life, Father Ted left us gracefully on Thursday February 20, 2014. Edward Palin Gatfield first saw the light of day in Amherstburg. He was the fifth and youngest child of John S. and Maude (McEvoy) Gatfield and a fourth generation of William and Elizabeth (Palin) Gatfield who came from England to Essex County before 1836. Predeceased by his siblings John McEvoy (1907- 1997); Florence (1908-2005); William H. (1912-1994) and Mary Alice Gatfield (1916-1920). Father Gatfield is survived by nephews, John (Mary Ann) Gatfield, of Tecumseh; William (Janice) Gatfield, of Calgary, and Joseph Gatfield, of Windsor. He is also survived by many great nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ted Gatfield was raised and educated in Amherstburg and like many local teenagers, worked summers at various jobs on Bob-Lo Island. After graduation from Assumption High School he entered the engineering program at Assumption College until enlisting in the R.C.A.F. in the spring of 1943. On October 5, 1944 &ldquo;Sergeant-Pilot Edward Palin Gatfield graduated as pilot at the Wings parade at the Brandon station&hellip;&rdquo; Following the Second World War he operated a photography business with his friend Norm Harrison until September 1949 when he entered St. Peter&rsquo;s Seminary. Father Gatfield was ordained on June 4, 1955 and retired in 2005 after a well- rounded career in the priesthood. He served in several parishes in and around Southwestern Ontario-among them Holy Cross and St. Michael Churches; he was Chaplain of Mount St. Joseph Mother House in London and also served at St. Clare Church in Windsor. In 1965 Father Gatfield was named director of Holy Family Retreat House in Oxley, then, in 1970 was appointed pastor of St Anthony of Padua Church in Harrow. In 2011 Fathers Gatfield and Michael Prieur published &ldquo;Holy Ground,&rdquo; a history of the Holy Family Retreat House. During his years as a priest Father Gatfield travelled extensively. The constant photographer, many photos of his trips around the world as well at Knights of Columbus events, etc., have been catalogued and preserved for future generations. Father Ted loved being a priest as well as spending time at his residences on the Amherstburg and Wheatley waterfronts. When asked recently about his career he said &ldquo;It was a beautiful way to spend my life and I am so happy I became a priest.&rdquo; Rest in peace, good and faithful servant. In lieu of flowers donations to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, (22 Middleton Line, Wheatley Ontario N0P 2P0) or St. John the Baptist Restoration Fund would be greatly appreciated. Visitation will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 225 Brock St., Amherstburg, Ontario N9V 2H3 on Wednesday February 26, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Visiting will continue on Thursday February 27, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Cremation to follow. Private family interment at St. John the Baptist Cemetery. The family wishes to thank those who have cared for Fr. Ted with kindness and compassion over the past months. (Funeral arrangements entrusted to JAMES H. SUTTON FUNERAL Amherstburg (519-736-2134). Online condolences &amp; cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.jhsutton-funeral.ca <br /></div>