Rev. Dr. Thomas Gemmell, the church administrator with a pastor’s heart, passed away May 13, in Richmond, Ont.
Gemmell spent many years in administrative ministry. He served as principal clerk of the General Assembly from 1992 to 1998. Earlier, he was general secretary of the Board of Ministry, a precursor to the Ministry and Church Vocations office. Between these roles, Gemmell spent 15 years in the church’s national offices. In 1996, his ministry of administration was highlighted when he was awarded an honourary doctorate of divinity by Knox College, Toronto.
After retiring, he became involved in interim ministry, serving congregations in the Ottawa area.
“His ministry encompassed the administrative, congregational and theological,” said Terrie-Lee Hamilton, who served with him in the General Assembly office.
Gemmell’s love of theological education was another theme in his life. Besides serving as director of field education at the Presbyterian College, Montreal, Gemmell was also a secretary of the theological education committee and taught polity classes at Knox and St. Andrew’s Hall at the Vancouver School of Theology.
“He was always seeking the best for people,” said Rev. Dr. Tony Plomp, a close friend who worked with him at the General Assembly office. “He was an extremely kind and pastoral man. And he had a wicked sense of humour.” In an official minute of appreciation from the 1998 General Assembly, Gemmell’s “delightful sense of humour” and “generousity of spirit” were lauded alongside his professional accomplish- ments and significant contributions to the church.
