From the St. Barnabas (Calgary) bulletin, reprinted in the RCCO (Calgary) newsletter:

D. Stuart Kennedy (August 11, 1922 - March 12, 2007)

It was with deep sadness that I received the news of Stuart Kennedy's death. As my predecessor as Organist/Choir director at St. Barnabas, he was known to most of you.

Through his musicianship he guided the choir and the congregation on many musical adventures. His manner of educating was through humour with the message delivered in a positive and encouraging way.

Included in the musical elements of our worship service today are some pieces that will be with Stuart in mind. "The Irish Blessing" was first sung at St. Barnabas for Stuart Kennedy on the occasion of the celebration of his ministry here.

The solo "Song of Innocence" was specially written for Sylvia Kennedy by the English organist Alfred Wilson who was at the time the organist of Knox United Church in Calgary. It is an example of the international bonds that the Kennedy family formed with organists from around the world. Stuart especially asked that the piece be sung at his funeral. The beautiful words of Charles Wesley set to the music of Alfred Wilson can speak to us all of faith.

Playing the organ in a church was not only a musical expression of his talents, but an expression of his deep spirituality. He communicated with his music. He was very able about expressing himself in print as well. Many articles were written by him for various magazines. Organ repairs and organ designs were also executed by him. The last organ that he acted as consultant for was our organ at St. Barnabas --- we give thanks.

I was told by Stuart that the words to the hymn "Unto the Hills" were written by the Marquis of Lorne (after whom the Marquis of Lorne Trail is named) as he gazed toward the hills of that area. We can cast a thought to Stuart and Betty Kennedy, the best possible ambassadors of the beauty of Alberta. They traveled many roads of the province together and somehow, according to Stuart, the car always seemed to come to a stop at churches with pipe organs!! They made of their life together something extraordinary out of the ordinary. It is impossible to describe the humble greatness and simple goodness that was Stuart Kennedy. I cannot find the words to say thank-you to someone who taught me so well. Good-bye dear mentor, good friend, gentleman, and gentle man.

You go to a place where there will be many Casavant and Cavaille-Coll organs --- pipes innumerable. We give thanks for the privilege of having known you. Submitted by: Margaret Kosa