‘Father Mac’ laid to rest

Patrick Ezekiel McIntosh, the late Dean of the St George’s Cathedral, was a man called by God for a purpose.

Delivering the eulogy at McIntosh’s funeral mass last Friday, church member and former parliamentarian John Horne described McIntosh, or “Father Mac,” as he was affectionately called, as a hard worker, who put his heart into everything he did.

“The zeal with which he went about his responsibilities was at times thought to be overly passionate,{{more}} but this was a man when he delivered the Word, the strength of his conviction by the message so consumed him, that many a person feared the likelihood of ensuing palpitations perhaps aroused externally from exhaustion or internally from a more serious medical and health perspective,” Horne told the large congregation gathered at the Victoria Park where the funeral service was held.

Horne said during construction work on the Holy Name Church at Sandy Bay, while McIntosh was rector of the Holy Trinity Parish, the late priest took on several roles.

“Father McIntosh so involved himself in the construction of the Church of the Holy Name at Sandy Bay, that he was seen as contractor, foreman, mason, advisor, labourer, toter of sand and gravel. He suffered a torn muscle in his hip from lifting a bag of gravel and he was also storeroom keeper et al.”

Horne joked that the Dean’s son, Patrick Junior, once asked his mother if his father still slept at home because of how early in the morning McIntosh would leave and how late he would return at night.

He said Carmel, McIntosh’s wife, who, according to Horne, the late priest called darling for the entirety of their marriage, recalls his many warm touches, his smile and voice which she stated wooed her.

“His devotion and dedication to God and his church, his ever loving care, concern for commitment and dedication to his children, family unit and extended family. He was a devoted family man, who loved them dearly,” Horne continued.

The eulogist shared that even when travelling on vacation, McIntosh would pack his cassock in his suitcase.

In a tribute to her father, McIntosh’s daughter Camille Johnson remembered her father as a man called by God for a purpose.

“My daddy understood all too well that without God in his life, there was not much sense to anything, as God had a purpose for his life,” McIntosh’s daughter Camille Johnson noted during her tribute.

“Patrick Ezekiel, a man called by God for a purpose and while we mourn him, daddy would want you to keep in your hearts his memory and the lessons that he taught you in addition to the words that he passionately spoke with his ever booming voice and that beautiful smile and infectious laugh that made you know that all is well.”

Camille additionally noted that her father would want persons to remember him as a man who loved the Lord, who had a zeal for knowledge, stood up for what he believed in and smiled, even in times of adversity.

“He especially enjoyed learning about, preaching and teaching about the spirit of God; any topic on spirituality awakened him and he could go on for hours about it. He always stood up for what he believed in and would smile even in the face of adversity; he was not a man of confusion and malice. He faced the world always with a smile and he shared God’s piece with all who came in contact with. He preferred decency and order in all things; he was always well prepared and his greatest plans and projects involved the church and God’s people,” she continued.

Additionally Camille remembered her father’s love for farming and animals and the way the dogs would follow him to church on Sundays whenever he was having mass.

While delivering the sermon, the Right Reverend C Leopold Friday, Bishop of the Windward Islands, also stated that McIntosh was a man called by God for a purpose.

“Patrick Ezekiel Priest was called by God to be a priest in his church and he responded faithfully to that call. He saw the light and he responded in faith and he has served God as a priest in the church in this diocese and beyond for 38 consecutive years.

“His Ministry as a priest exuded from his deep and abiding faith in God and was centered in worship. His ministry, which has cared for the less fortunate, the shut-in, the poor, underprivileged, the vagrants, those in need, the sick and the lame came out in being with Jesus. Came out in prayer and worship, came out from a celebration of the holy Eucharist and feasting on the body and blood of Christ,” Friday stated, as he reflected on McIntosh’s years of ministry.

Friday, who was the chief celebrant at Friday’s mass, encouraged the family to continue believing in Jesus, because it is through Christ they will find the faith to move along.

The Old Testament and New Testament lessons were read by Theresa Joshua of St James, Layou and Joycelyn Carr of Holy Trinity, Georgetown, respectively, two parishes in which McIntosh had worked before being assigned to the Cathedral in Kingstown. The Gospel and prayers were read by The Reverend Deacon Rosemarie Alleyne and Eleanor McMillan, both of the St George’s Cathedral. Special tributes in song were rendered by Sharon Jones and Roxanne Israel.

During the service, members of the Anglican clergy, some of whom had travelled from overseas, took turns standing in a guard of honour around the casket.

The funeral mass was attended by hundreds of persons from a wide crosssection of the Vincentian society, including Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, other parliamentarians, several members of the clergy from other Christian denominations, members of the police service, public servants, church members and schoolchildren in uniform.

Patrick Ezekiel McIntosh was born on March 22, 1947 in the Grenadine island of Bequia. He died suddenly on Tuesday, January 5, at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, where he was taken after falling ill at home.

After the funeral mass, the huge gathering recessed to the Cathedral churchyard, where the well-loved priest was buried.(CM)