'He was a giant amongst his peers': Bishop O.G. Simpson dies at age 76
A pastor is being remembered in Edmonton's religious and Black communities for his long career supporting and uplifting everyone around him.
Bishop O.G. Simpson's children say he had been suffering from a number of illnesses when he died on Friday at the age of 76.
"It was a bittersweet moment," his daughter Genieve Simpson-Hind told CTV News Edmonton on Monday. "He was actually praying with the caretaker… saying he was ready to go."
Born in Jamaica on Nov. 19, 1946, Simpson moved to England in 1965. He lived there until 1977 when he was anointed and appointed pastor of a new church in Edmonton.
"He was a bit reluctant, not knowing the cold Canada," his son Barrington Simpson recalled.
"But him making the move here has been so impactful."
Barrington Simpson, son of Edmonton bishop O.G. Simpson, speaks to CTV News Edmonton on Feb. 6, 2023, after his father's passing on Feb.3.
In 2020, Simpson retired as pastor of that same church – the Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic on 149 Street – after 43 years.
Rod Charles grew up attending and serving in the church.
"It was so significant because it was the epicentre of immigrant, Caribbean individuals who were transplanted from England, from Jamaica, from Grenada, from Trinidad, from the United States, from all over," Charles commented.
"We were able to come together and know we were being taken care of… And at the very centre of that was Bishop Simpson."
Another former congregant, Paul Blazek, recalled, "I was walking by, and I heard gospel music."
This was around 1992. Blazek was so moved, he walked into the church that day and would continue attending for three years.
"That church and the brothers and sisters in that church have a unique gift of praise and a unique gift of song to give. It really moves the spirit."
But it wasn't just the welcoming atmosphere Simpson had created which drew people in, but the generosity he exemplified.
"There’s people telling me stories how he drove them out of town for job interviews. Like, he would hand people things in need and would not expect anything back in return,” his daughter told CTV News Edmonton.
Genieve Simpson-Hind speaks to CTV News Edmonton about her father O.G. Simpson's legacy during an interview on Feb. 6, 2023. The former pastor of the Bethel First United Church on 149 Street died at age 76 on Feb. 3.
She said it was occasionally difficult as a child to have her father dedicate so much time and energy to his congregants.
"We understand what ministry was; sometimes it isn't about us but other people. That helped us to be selfless as well. It was hard not seeing him physically at home, but it gave us a sense of that is us: we just give, we love, we try to put a smile on somebody's face."
Simpson married Charles and his wife, Keisha, who met at Simpson's church. He also encouraged Charles to become the pastor of Bethel Apostolic Church in Stony Plain.
"His work in our lives was so significant that it brought about change in the Parkland area," the Stony Plain pastor commented.
"He was a giant amongst his peers."
Keisha and Rod Charles speak about the significance of Bishop O.G. Simpson in their lives during an interview with CTV News Edmonton on Feb. 6, 2023. The couple met at Simpson's church, the Bethel First United Church on 149 Street in Edmonton, and were married by the pastor.
Stories like these have brought a great deal of joy to Simpson's family.
"We are just proud of the impact that he's made over the city, not just of those who attended the church but our own friends are calling us how impactful he was to them," Barrington Simpson told CTV News Edmonton.
“You’d go to the hospital and his room was just always packed with people. It was just a beautiful thing and he’ll be greatly missed.”
He says his father offered advice right through the end of his life.
"Even in his sickness, he kept saying, 'Make sure you guys work together,'" Barrington said.
"We just go off his legacy. Everything that he taught us is what is carrying us forward."
With files from CTV News Edmonto's Marek Tkach
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.