"Dear Brian, Sorry to learn of the death of Ian as I truly enjoyed working with him during his ministry in Brewer and I do know that his relationship with you was very meaningful. I do wish you peace and comfort during these difficult times. Most Sincerely, Gary Smith"
In loving memory of
Ian L Bockus
April 13, 1933 - March 24, 2021
The Reverend Canon Ian L. Bockus, 87, of Ocala, Florida, died on March 24, 2021 in Ocala after a lengthy battle with progressive vascular dementia.
The Burial Office and Eucharist will be celebrated on Monday, April 19, 2021 at 10:00 o'clock in the morning at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Belleview, Florida with The Very Rev'd Lisa Wimmer officiating. For the benefit of family and friends in Canada, the service in Florida will be live streamed on Face Book and will also be uploaded to You Tube.
There will also be a Memorial Eucharist at The Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Portland, Maine on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 11:00 o'clock in the morning with the Rt. Rev'd Thomas Brown, Bishop of Maine officiating. Due to Covid-19 distancing, burial will be for family only on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 2:00 pm in the Central Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta, Maine.
Ian was born in Sweetsburg, Quebec, Canada to Elton Bockus and Carrie Marion Margaret (Crandall) Bockus on April 13, 1933. With the advent marriage equality, he married his life partner of forty-nine years, Brian MacFarland on September 3, 2011 in Portsmouth, NH.
A graduate of Bishops University School of Theology, Canon Bockus was ordained to the priesthood on August 15, 1957 by The Most Rev'd Philip B. Carrington, Archbishop of Quebec and Metropolitan of the Province of Canada in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Quebec City. He spent most of his sixty-three years of ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church, serving many parishes Quebec, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey and South Dakota over the years. He returned to Maine in 1984 where he completed his active ministry in 1998.
In addition to his parents, Ian is preceded in death by his sister Beverley Elizabeth (Bockus) Peak, niece Kelly Dawn (Aiken) Morse and brother-in-law Arthur W. Aiken.
Ian is survived by his spouse, Brian MacFarland, children and their spouses, Christopher M. Bockus (Karen) and Kevin A. Bockus, grandchildren, Corey (Lauren), Ian, Kelsey (John) and Sarah, brother, Elton Crandall Bockus (Mary), sister Linda Jill (Bockus) Aiken, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity. He was especially fond of the Humane Society and the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, 233 Cummer Ave., Toronto, ON M2M 2E8. Condolences may be forwarded to Brian MacFarland, 9200 SW 92nd Place Rd, Ocala, FL 34481-8063.
Tributes
"I have many pleasant memories of Father Bockus. He was MY priest. Of course, he was priest to many people and many congregations. But when I needed him, he was my priest and only mine. He came to St. Andrews when I was a teenager. I would drive my rather large and loud motorcycle to church on Sunday mornings. One time, as I was leaving church, he asked me for a ride! Imagine that. A Priest wanting a ride on my motorcycle. I took him for a RIDE!! With his robes flowing in the wind and the wind howling in our ears (there were no helmets back then) we blew out of there like a bat out of, dare I say, hell. He loved it. And he laughed so hard when we got back. Another memory is much more personal. I had a serious problem that involved a friend. We were distraught and did not know where to turn. The only secular advice we got, even at that young age, we knew was not good. We turned to Father Bockus. He met us and spoke so gently and lovingly that we were comforted and realized we were in good hands. God was in charge and the rest would work out. It did. The point is I loved Father Bockus in so many ways and for so many reasons, many more than I can relay here. The world is a little less without him. My condolences to Brian and to the family. "
"It is with heavy heart that I offer my condolences to Father Bockus' family and friends. He was a wonderful man to everyone he met. He married my husband and myself at St James Church in Trenton NJ. When my mother and I visited him in Maine he had a unique collection of pictures of Queen Victoria- of course his story about it was very interesting. I want to thank Brian for informing me of his passing and I will include both of them in my prayers. "
"What a kind gentle soul he was. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to spend much time getting to know him better. I know he will be greatly missed by so many. "