In Memory of Rev. Dr. Irving Whitt: 1947-2014
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Rev. Dr. Irving Whitt’s passing. With his family by his side, he passed into the arms of Jesus ever so gently and peacefully at his home in Mount Albert, Ontario on May 28, 2014.
Irving Whitt was born on October 5, 1947 in Grand Falls, Newfoundland to Pentecostal pastors Ivan and Mary Whitt. He accepted Christ as his Saviour at a young age and soon after received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He was an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.
From 1990 to 2000, Dr. Whitt was Professor of Global Missions at Tyndale Seminary. During his time here, he served as the Chair of the Global Outreach Department. His focus as Chair was to profile Canadian missions history as well as create a more significant awareness for missions and global outreach. He was the husband of Ruth Whitt, who served as the Executive Assistant to Tyndale President Emeritus Dr. Brian Stiller, and later to current President Dr. Gary Nelson.
Dr. Whitt received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theology from Central Bible College, in Springfield, Missouri; a Master of Arts (MA) in Missions at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California; a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from the Assemblies of God (AOG) Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri; and a Doctor of Missiology (DMiss) from Fuller Theological Seminary. He was passionate about education, particularly missiology.
In May 2000, he became the Missions Education Coordinator with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), giving oversight to 30 theological institutions globally. After serving in that position for five years, he moved on to become the Pastor of Global Outreach at The People’s Church in Toronto, Ontario.
In October 2008, he became the Director of Global Education at the International Office of The PAOC, located in Mississauga, Ontario.
Predeceased by his father Ivan, Irving is survived by his mother, Mary; his wife, Ruth; two daughters, Valerie (John) and Rebecca (Paul); three grandchildren; and his siblings, Morley Whitt, Clarice Power, Fern Regular, Lois Moore and Geoffrey Whitt.
Visitation will be on Monday, June 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, June 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home, 8911 Woodbine Avenue, Markham, Ontario.
The funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, June 4, at 2 p.m. at Cedarview Community Church, 1000 Gorham Street, Newmarket, Ontario. A memorial service will be held at a later date in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Online condolences, donations and an extended obituary may be found at www.chapelridgefh.com.