Obituary of Rev. Tim Reaburn
REABURN, Rev Timothy Scott of Sauble Beach passed away supported by loved ones at Chapman House - Owen Sound on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 56 years of age. Beloved husband of Will, cherished son of John Reaburn and the late Mary (nee McKay), step-son of Shirley (nee Puttock) of Owen Sound and dear brother of Lisa Gow and her husband Jason of Owen Sound, and uncle to Susanna and Matthew. Nephew of Karen and Dick Tenbergen, Jane Reaburn (Peter pre) and Fern Hutchinson (Robert pre). Missed by Ken Kleist, Mark and Margot Foster, many cousins, Ready step siblings and their families as well as his many many close friends.
Tim grew up in Chesley and attended Elderslie Central School and matriculated from Chesley District High School. He loved all things academia. He earned an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Waterloo, a Masters of Theological Studies from Conrad Grebel College and a Masters of Divinity from Emmanuel College. He was ordained by the United Church of Canada in 2001.
Tim was an active Vice President of Carson's Camp, his family's campground business. He also sat on many Boards of Directors, most notably the Western Ontario Waterways Region Executive and General Council Executive representative in addition to being Chair of the United Church of Canada Foundation. He was also special parliamentary and ethics consultant to the Ontario Private Campground Association, where he managed to make ethics interesting on an annual basis.
In his spare time, Tim was an award winning jam, pie and preserve maker, musician, author, songwriter, political commentator, monarchy enthusiast, photographer, painter and collector of stamps, coins, ties, shoes, pottery, bed pigs, musical instruments, postcards, Krug memorabilia, antique glass and Carnival Glass.
Tim valued living and working in rural Ontario. He kept a home in Sauble Beach on the shores of Lake Huron but also purchased and renovated a church in Paisley where he and Will and their warmhearted husky Goku made many memories. He loved to travel, perhaps sparked by a family genealogy vacation to New Zealand and Australia in his youth or his year on Rotary exchange in Finland at age 17. Over the years he visited many countries around the world with loads of stops along the way but he always returned to the peninsula. He believed strongly in the reality that 'you can take the boy out of the Bruce but you can't take the Bruce out of the boy!'
Tim was delighted to be able to serve the United Church of Canada at Knox United in Paisley, where he thrived in meeting, praying and baking with the families of his mother's hometown. He later accepted a position to serve as minister in the Hepworth Sauble Beach Pastoral Charge, where his grandparents had attended and his family are parishioners.
Tim was driven by a genuine and selfless love for his 'folks'. He embodied the values of acceptance, kindness, compassion and generosity. Whether counseling, comforting, or celebrating, he became a steadfast pillar of support for many.
Tim's thirst for knowledge led to a diverse array of interests that reflected the richness of his character: from spiritual fulfillment in church to a passion for music, baking, travel and, of course, the intricacies of carnival glass collecting. He had a relentless dedication to enhancing Carson's Camp's resort camping experience.
Family and friends are invited to share memories at Sauble Beach United Church Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted from the Church on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Interment Chesley Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to DOWNS AND SON FUNERAL HOME, Hepworth. Should you wish, expressions of remembrance would be appreciated, to Sauble Beach United Church, Chapman House or Owen Sound Hospital Foundation, Oncology acknowledging their exceptional care and compassion. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family through www.downsandsonfuneralhome.com