GAST, Lorne Roger (EMCC Ordained Minister)
October 6, 1940 – February 14, 2025
Roger Gast went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on Friday the 14th day of February, 2025 at Trillium Villa in his 85th year. Roger was the beloved husband of the late Ruth Kathaleen Gast (2024) of 63 years.
Loving father to Paul (Laurie) of London and Bryan (Kathy) of Brights Grove. Proud grandfather of Jeffrey, Jillian (Kevin), Victoria, Zachary (Talia), Mathew, and Grace (Jovan). Loving great grandfather to Auston, Nathaniel, Emmett and Langston. Loving brother of David (Sharon) of Waterloo and Karl (Linda) of Alvinston. Predeceased by his parents, Loren and Jean (Parker) Gast. His parents-in-law Reverend John Wesley Bray and Ethel (Lemcke) Bray. His brother Paul Stephen Gast.
Roger and Ruth were married July 8th, 1961 in Owen Sound. They were best friends and their life journey was of togetherness. As a young man Roger was faced with a decision to work at Ontario Hydro or follow his calling to go into church ministry. Together their ministerial journey with the Free Methodist church would take them to Wallaceburg, Cairo Egypt, St Catharines, Thornbury, Brantford, Belleville, and Hamilton and finishing in Palmerston with the Missionary church. Roger was a great pastor and loved his work for the Lord. In their retirement they would travel the US and Canada delivering trailers which fulfilled their passion of travel and being together.
They loved their family and prayed every day for everyone’s commitment to God, safety and unity.
Roger and Ruth were both diagnosed with terminal illnesses over the past two years. Ruth passed on September 7, 2024 leaving Roger heartbroken. It is fitting that Roger was reunited with his Ruthy on Valentine’s Day.
A celebration of Roger’s life will be held on Saturday March 1st, 2025, at 11 am, at New Horizons church at 383 Russell Street North, Sarnia with Pastor Luke and music by Dave Randall. Roger had requested that this time of celebration be inspirational, happy and informal with a time of fellowship and refreshments to follow. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Fairwinds Retirement Home and to Doctor John O’Mahony and the staff at the Trillium Villa nursing home in Sarnia who provided amazing care and compassion to Roger and his family. Memorial donations may be made to New Horizons Free Methodist Church (519-332-3918) or Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre (519-285-3334).
