'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
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.