Obituary of The Sutherland REV

WESTFIELD - The Rev. Robert M. Sutherland, age 83, of Chestnut Street, Westfield died Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at home following an extended illness. Rev. Sutherland was born on April 17, 1924 in Oneida, NY the son of the late Myron E. and Clara (Endter) Sutherland. Rev. Sutherland was a US Army Air Force Veteran of WW II serving as a Radio Operator. He was a graduate of Harper College of Binghamton, NY and Berkley Divinity School at Yale. After Ordination he served churches in Romulus, Gowanda, Irving and Hamburg, New York before coming to Westfield. While Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church of Westfield, Fr. Sutherland was a member of the Board of Director's of Westfield Memorial Hospital and was the Chaplain for the Westfield Fire Department. In the Diocese of Western New York, he served on the Episcopal Charities Board and the Diocesan Council. Following retirement from St. Peter's in 1989, he spent the school year in Belize, Central America, as a volunteer missionary where he was affectionately known as ?Fr. Goose, the migratory Missionary, and was the first Vicar of St. Ann's Anglican Church in Belmopan, the Capital, for several years. He then did lay leadership training for the Anglican Diocese before becoming the Founder and Director of the Anglican Theological institute, training local clergy. During the summer months, when he would return north, he did supply and interim work for the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania. In retirement, he was involved with a number of projects with Habitat for Humanity and was an avid sailor. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jane (Ray) Sutherland whom he married on October 16, 1943 in Columbus, GA. and his three sons: John Sutherland of Monterey, CA , Robert M. Sutherland and his wife Hollister Hallmark-Sutherland of Brooklyn, NY and William R. and his wife Cynthia Sutherland of Gowanda, NY, he is further survived by his five grandchildren; John Gialluca, Rebecca Sutherland, Jason Sutherland, Rachel Hathcock and Sara Sutherland, as well as by nine great grandchildren. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his three sisters; Shirley Collins, Ola Lindloff and Jean Neal. No prior visiting will be observed. Friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service to be held at 11:00AM Saturday September 29, 2007 at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 12 Elm Street, Westfield with The Rev. Kim Baker, Rector officiating. Inurnment will be in the St. Peter?s Columbarium. Memorials may be made to St. Peters Episcopal Church, 12 Elm Street, Westfield, NY 14787 or to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 4840 West Lake Road, Mayville, NY 14757 or to Chautauqua Habitat for Humanity, 2 Academy St., Mayville, NY 14757. Funeral arrangements are by the MASON FUNERAL HOME, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY 14787. Logon to www.masonfuneral.com to send an e-condolence or to sign the guest page.