The Reverend Canon Dennis Avon Dolloff

It is with sadness that we mark the passing of The Reverend Canon Dennis Avon Dolloff. Born in Toronto July 19 1956, his family moved to Erindale Woodlands when the subdivision was newly developing. An avid soccer player, growing up Dennis attended Queenston Drive Public School (grades K-6), the Woodlands (grades 7-8), and Erindale Secondary School, where he participated in the “Spirit” squad, played football, and met several lifelong friends.

He studied a Bachelor’s of Philosophy degree at Erindale College (now UTM) before studies were interrupted by the accident in 1979 that would leave him paralyzed and living in a wheelchair. As soon as rehabilitation was completed, Dennis returned to school to complete his BA, then entered Trinity College, Toronto where he undertook the Master’s of Divinity degree.

Dennis felt a lifelong calling to ministry, and so it was that in May 1984 he was ordained to the diaconate in the Anglican Church of Canada, the first person with mobility disability to be ordained. He began serving as Curate at the Church of St. James, Orillia. The following year on May 10, he was ordained to the priesthood. In August,1986 he became Incumbent of the Church of St. Giles in Scarborough, followed by the appointment to The Church of Our Saviour in August 1999. He was appointed a Canon of the Church at St. James Cathedral, Toronto on January 19, 2014..

Dennis taught by example as he lived with kindness and compassion for all. He loved working with the Church’s youth and they loved him right back as he inspired everyone to overcome challenges. Always available for a chat, no topic was off limits as he provided a safe space to question and examine things. A guitar was always close at hand as music was integrated into youth gatherings of all kinds where anything was possible. When that little “glint” appeared in his eye you wanted to follow wherever he was leading as laughter would not be far behind. Whether it was weaving a magic trick into the explanation of Gospel, or taking parishioners for a “pastoral” game of billiards, Dennis loved connecting with people and making sure that they felt heard, seen and cared for. This led to lasting friendships and a wide circle of care and support during these difficult last few years.

A passionate musician and prolific songwriter, Dennis had a lifelong quest to find the “Holy Grail” of guitars. At one time, he had a collection of 26-each with a unique voice—before he started giving them away to friends and family, sometimes replacing them with a new “perfect” instrument. One of his favourite summer activities was Songstudio week in Toronto. He met many friends and song writing collaborators. Many of Dennis’ songs can be heard in his recordings found for free on reverbnation.com. In later years he spent happy hours recording and self-producing these recordings.

Dennis met his lifelong partner in love and ministry in 1978 while they were both attending the Church of St. Peter’s, Erindale. Dennis was leading the youth group, Lori was the junior choir director, then organist. Through the life-changing challenges they continued to journey together, being married in 1986. Together they travelled to Ireland, enjoyed all things Celtic, and good food with good friends. It was especially poignant that they could minister together as priest and organist at the Church of Our Saviour for several years. The hand in glove connection made for liturgical harmony. Dennis retired from the Church of Our Saviour in 2015, and began a new ministry as Honourary Assistant at St. Elizabeth’s Chinese Anglican Church in Mississauga. An eager language learner, Dennis was never too shy to try to speak to everyone in their language of birth, so after retirement he took up learning Chinese.

Dennis was pre-deceased by his parents Helen Elizabeth (Betty) Gibbons and Donald Avon Dolloff. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 33 years, Lori-Anne (Nelham). He was Dennis the Menace to big sister Kathryn Wallcraft, and brother-in-law Derek Wallcraft was an early soccer coach. Sister-in-law Jennifer Pierson learned to lovingly roll her eyes at his antics like her sister, Lori, while brother-in-law Robert Pierson spent many meals and visits discussing philosophy and solving the world’s problems. His passing is mourned by mother-in-law Doris Huggett, father-in-law Earl Nelham ,Grace, and step-brother-in law, Neil.

Dennis liked to call himself “Uncle from Hell,” and believed it was his job to teach his niece and nephews all the mischievous things their parents wouldn’t. Sad to be without their playmate are: Niece, Joanne Wallcraft (Robin), Nephews William (Liliana) Wallcraft, Christopher (Kim) Pierson and David (Eryka) Pierson. A new generation was only beginning to learn of his shenanigans. He will be missed by Noelle and Max Wallcraft, and we will tell stories about him to Charlotte Pierson-August. Dennis loved his dogs. Baggins, who lived to his Eleventy-first birthday, passing in 2004. In 2005 Rosie Cotton became his trustworthy companion, acting as a Support Dog, and generously sharing kisses and cuddles. Rosie will miss her Dennis.

Dennis’ favourite scripture is from Revelation, “Behold I make all things New,” and he often joked about looking forward to getting the “new” parts when he got to heaven. Well, dear Dennis we hope now that you are dancing for joy on those new legs, and preparing a place where we can laugh, sing and live together in the light of the Resurrection. Your light will be sorely missed by so many.

Following private cremation, we will await a time for the proper celebration of life and ministry when we can gather in community for prayer, praise, stories and laughter.

Online memorial donations may be made to these communities that were close to Dennis’ heart:

St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Erindale. https://www.stpeterserindale.ca/

St. Elizabeth’s Anglican Church, Mississauga https://www.stechurch.com/

The Church of Our Saviour Don Mills https://www.oursaviourdonmills.ca/

Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund https://pwrdf.org/

Musicounts.ca

a charity that provides musical instruments for children who cannot afford them