In Memory Of Brock Rideout

All Don Heighters knew Brock, and realize how much we will miss him. But those who are not long-time members probably don't know all he did for our congregation. He and Mary were members of Toronto First Unitarian in 1948, when it was located on Jarvis Street. A few years later, when it had moved to the present location on St. Clair, the minister, Rev. Bill Jenkins, told the members who lived in the east that they must leave and form their own congregation. They did, and Brock was one of the active pioneers who started our congregation (then known as Birchcliff) in 1954.

Brock was Sunday services chair in 1959-60, chairman of the Board 1961-61, a "Circuit Rider" (one of our members who served as speakers for other Unitarian congregations and fellowships in the 1970s), our chaplain from 1980 to 1988, and Denominational Affairs chair 1993-1994. With his great voice, he was a member of every choir we ever had. An accomplished cook, he was noted for his "Uncle Brock's Hot Unitarian Sauce" which sold quickly at all our fund-raising events.

When I was Don Heights' secretary (now known as office coordinator) and Bulletin editor, I needed someone to take over my job for six weeks in 1981 when I would be away in New Zealand. It was hard to find anyone, but eventually Brock volunteered to do it, even though he was already working as chaplain. Amazing! He will always live on in my memory.

Vivian White