A Requiem Mass took place at St. James, Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 31, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Elizabeth, for the Ven. David Retter, who died unexpectedly on May 21.
| The Ven. David Retter |
Bishop Michael Ingham presided and the Rev. John Blythe was preacher. The church located in the downtown east side of Vancouver was full.
Father Retter, recently retired as Archdeacon of Burrard and rector of St. James, Vancouver, suffered a heart attack while swimming at the YMCA in downtown Vancouver. He had recently turned 65.
He had served St. James for 27 years, the last 12 as rector. He became one of the Diocese of New Westminster’s five regional Archdeacons in 2002.
Prior to coming to Vancouver, he had served Nisga’a communities in the Nass Valley in the Diocese of Caledonia. He was ordained in 1965.
He continued close ties Nisga’a and other First Nations people after coming to Vancouver, and many were present at his funeral. His retirement dinner in July 2004 was in the form of a First Nation’s feast.
Originally from Toronto, Father Retter left two nephews and an aunt.
For more about Father Retter’s life and retirement feast, go here.