Gilbert Emmanuel McKenzie

GILBERT EMMANUEL MCKENZIE November21, 1942 –July 4, 2022 Gilbert Emmanuel McKenzie was born to Eric Hemming McKenzie, an Anglican Warden, and Irene Leonora McKenzie, a Practical Nurse and church pianist, in Belfield, Saint Mary, Jamaica. Also born of this union were his sisters Winnifred Ruth Johnson (Bahamas) and Mary Audeline Williams (Ontario Canada). He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Winnifred. His daughter, Christian Onika McKenzie (Chicago), and son, Gilbert Kenyatta McKenzie, who preceded him in death, were born from his marriage to Nancy Thornton. Gilbert, later married Dianne Briscoe and with this union became stepfather to LaDawn Sullivan, Ruthie Sullivan, and James Sullivan. He leaves cousins Hector Evans, Debbie, Valerie, and dear lifelong seminary friends, Rev. Winston Lawson, Rev. Oliver Daley, Dr. Tony Allen, Rev. Raymond Anglin, and Denver friends, Dr. Dan Wright and Patti Wright, and numerous relatives and friends throughout the world, like Kemorine Miller, wife of his bosom buddy the late Paul Miller of Jamaica. They were active members of the World Student Christian Federation (SCM) and active in the Inter-Varsity Fellowship (IVF). Gilbert fondly told the story that when he was born his father made a promise to God to give his son to God. When his father told him this Gilbert said to his father, “You could have had the courtesy to consult me first”. His father’s promise to God was kept, as at a young age Gilbert felt called to serve God and spent his entire adult life in ministry. His formative years were spent in Jamaica, completing secondary school in Kingston, completing his studies for a Diploma in Ministry Studies at United Theological College of the West Indies and a Bachelor's Degree in Theology from Jamaica Theological Seminary. Gilbert was ordained in 1970 by Middlesex Presbytery (Jamaica). He later served as Chaplain with the rank as Captain in the Jamaica National Reserve (acting under the command of Queen Elizabeth the Second). During his early years in ministry, he served as pastor of several congregations including Islington, Jamaica, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Port Maria, Jamaica. He then moved to the United States to attend Princeton Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Arts in Theological Education and a Masters in Theology. Gilbert was a lifelong student, participating in numerous study seminars in the U.S., Czech Republic, Jordan, Colombia, South America, Cuba, Senegal, Morocco, Madagascar, and Nicaragua. He loved traveling throughout the world having visited every continent except Antarctica. He enjoyed meeting and interacting with people where ever he went. His life was filled with exposure to a multiplicity of cultures, religions, and philosophies which enhanced his ability to inter-relate to everyone with ease and understanding. He was involved with the worldwide Reformed and Presbyterian Churches in Cuba, South Africa, Madagascar, East Germany (former Communist Germany), Vanuatu (South Pacific), England and Wales, Scotland, and Czech Brethen, helping to shape policies in committees, encouraging their work, preaching/speaking and attending their General Assemblies. Rev. McKenzie served two years as President of the Dutchess County Interfaith Council and traveled to Morocco as a member of an Abrahamic Religious Group. After attending a World Religions Convocation in Uruguay, he chose to become a significant part of an Abrahamic Group (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) In his mid and later years as a pastor, he served Presbyterian Churches, (U.S.A.) in Princeton, New Jersey, Denver, Colorado, Poughkeepsie, New York, Binghampton, N.Y., Endicott, N.Y., and Mount Vernon, N.Y. Until his death, he led a weekly bible study by phone/zoom with members of First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon, N.Y. Rev. McKenzie served on committees of the PCUSA General Assembly, Synods, and Presbytery, i.e. Finance, Self Development of People, Administration, Evangelism, Camps and Conferences, etc. He also served on the Ghost Ranch Conference Center Foundation Board and as Chaplain at Ghost Ranch for a number of years. Rev. McKenzie fully retired in 2011 and moved to Denver where he attended Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church with his wife, Dianne. He participated at Montview by arranging for a youth group to participate in a service project at Hellshire Church in Jamaica; preaching as a guest, leading an Adult Education hour, walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and as a mission partner in Nepal. He was a voracious reader – always carried a book or two with him when he left home so that if he had to wait for an appointment, he could spend his time reading. He studied languages and was fluent in Spanish and quite knowledgeable in French, German, and Italian languages. Rev. McKenzie’s intellect, curiosity, boisterous laugh, friendly hugs, and sartorial splendor will be sorely missed by all who knew him. As Gilbert would end meetings and correspondence, his obituary ends with: “Blessings, Courage and Love”. Gilbert E. McKenzie, Pastor, Teacher, and Friend. SERVICE: YouTube link for Gilbert's Memorial Service for your family and friends who wish to view the live streaming of the service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dptIJPCvxEo This link may also be used to view the recording of the service later. ***In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Colorado Make a Wish in memory of Gilbert.*** ***Please disregard the link below for flowers etc...Thank you***

Gilbert Emmanuel McKenzie

November 21, 1942 - July 4, 2022

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Gilbert Emmanuel McKenzie

November 21, 1942 - July 4, 2022

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

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About Us

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Grief & Healing

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