Tom Faulkner, PhD

July 24, 1945 – July 13, 2010

Passed away peacefully at the Riverview Health Centre (Winnipeg) in the arms of his  anam cara, Lesley, and with his best friend, Griff, by his side.

Tom was predeceased by his parents Charles and Mae Faulkner, and by his former wife Patricia Sinclair-Faulkner in 2002. He is survived by his  children: Matthew (Jen) and their children Aaron and Joshua, and by his  daughter Kate. Tom is also remembered by his brothers Bill (Martha) and John (Mary Anne), and by the Sinclair family: Deborah (David), Scott (Rosalynd), and Kathryn (Roger), and by his Godson Preston Walcott, and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom was a life long scholar of the mystery which is religion. He began his teaching career at Dalhousie University in 1975, and taught in the Faculty of Religion until 2004. He was President of St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Universities from 2004 to 2006, and completed his career as an Associate Professor of Church and Society, and as Director of the Ridd Institute for Religion and Global Policy at the University of Winnipeg.

Tom was an avid guitarist, banjo player, and a member of several choirs. He loved his students, and was a strong advocate for social justice in the world. He will be lovingly remembered for his intense glare, his passion for the world of academia, his brilliant mind, and his Tilley attire!

His family express their deepest appreciation to the staff at Riverview Hospital for their compassionate and gracious care.

FTE supports rising scholars from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups who plan to teach religion, theology and biblical studies in theological schools and universities. About one-third of North American theological schools report they do not have a person of color on their faculties. FTE fosters excellence in the theological academy by identifying talented racial/ethnic doctoral students, accelerating successful completion of their Ph.D. degree programs, and providing professional development opportunities. The retention rate for students in FTE Doctoral Programs is over 90 percent; 79 percent of program alumni since 1998 now teach at theological schools or universities.

“The pace of change to a pluralistic society adds a sense of urgency to this work of developing diverse educators to teach, lead and serve diverse communities,” said Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker, FTE Vice President for Doctoral Programs and Administration.

FTE supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, annually awarding $1.5 million in fellowships and support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Since 1954, FTE has awarded more than 6,000 fellowships; its alumni serve congregations, schools and communities around the world. For more information, visit www.fteleaders.org.

Lansdowne is an alumna of Vancouver School of Theology, an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada, and member of the World Council of Churches Central Committee.

Substantial portions of this notice were derived from a press release issued by the Graduate Theological Union.