REGINA — Rev. Canon Blair Dixon died on Oct. 12, at the age of 89. Blair had come to the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 1991, and was priest at St. Matthew, Regina, until he retired in 2008. He became part of the new, combined parish of Immanuel, Regina, and led many Bible studies for the parish.
Blair was a devoted Anglican pastor, a compassionate police chaplain, a gifted youth camp director, and a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His ministry spanned decades, touching countless lives through his wisdom, warmth, and unwavering faith. Known for his eloquent sermons, gentle humour, and tireless commitment to justice and reconciliation, Blair embodied the spirit of “servant leadership.”
Blair was born in Saint John, New Brunswick. After high school he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served for five years. He received a BA from Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, in 1964, and a degree in theology from King’s College, Dalhousie University, Halifax in 1966.
While in university, Blair played sports, competed in track and field, and excelled in basketball. In 1999 he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Acadia University. Many church youth groups have benefited from having him as coach for their basketball teams.
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1965 and to the priesthood in 1966, both in Ottawa. In addition to serving parishes in Ontario, Blair served five years in the Diocese of Detroit. This was at a time when racial tension was very prevalent. While in Detroit, Blair chaired the Mayor’s Committee on Poverty Medical Program, hosted a weekly children’s program that focused on diversity, and produced a weekly adult religious show on Channel 7 with the ABC network.
In 2001, Blair spent a sabbatical serving in the Diocese of Grahamstown, South Africa. In 2014 and 2015, at the invitation of the bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Lake Malawi, Blair served as rector of Ascension parish and assisted at St. Thomas parish. While in Malawi, he provided leadership to the development and training of the national police chaplaincy in Malawi.
In recent years he organized a project to send church furnishings and clerical robes, no longer needed in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, to new and growing parishes in the Diocese of Lake Malawi.
In addition to being rector of St. Matthew’s Parish for 17 years, he served as regional dean and was named an honorary canon of the diocese in 2004. During his time in Regina, Blair also served as chaplain to the Regina Police Service and interim chaplain to the RCMP.
Blair’s family was a source of great joy to him. He is survived by his wife Karen McBride, his children Lisa Dixon (Mark Okeeffe), Lance Dixon (Kelli Taylor-Dixon), and Beau Dixon (Andrea Houssin), as well as Karen’s children, Alicia Reschny (Trent), and Rebecca Petersen (Brent). Blair was beloved “Papa” to his 13 grandchildren: Jade, Ray, and Nathan (Emma Scanlon) O’keeffe; Kalista, Mercy, and Soren Dixon; Cohen Dixon; Isak, Maura, Jonah, and Elijah Petersen; and Paxton and Grace Reschny.
Blair took a keen interest in the talents and potential of each of them. Raised in a tight-knit family of 12 siblings, Blair was a cherished uncle to his many nieces and nephews. Each member of his family and extended family were influenced by Blair’s commitment to family, passion for life, and unwavering faith.
A celebration of Blair’s life and ministry was held in Peterborough, Ont. on Nov. 9. A diocesan Memorial service was held on Nov. 20 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Regina.
