June 13, 1930 - December 28, 2025
John Henry Tye, 95, of Charlottetown, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Andrews Park West after a life of community service. Born in New Glasgow, NS on June 13, 1930, he was the son of the late Orval and Evelyn (Nichols) Tye.
The first person in his family to attend university, Henry earned a BA from Mount Allison University in 1952 and a Bachelor of Divinity (now a Master of Divinity) from Pine Hill Divinity Hall (now the Atlantic School of Theology) in 1954. He later pursued postgraduate studies at the Boston School of Theology.
After ordination as a United Church minister in 1954, Henry served congregations in Cape North, NS and Parrsboro, NS before coming to Park Royal United Church, Parkdale in 1961. At Park Royal he oversaw the expansion of the congregation as well as financing and construction of the church’s extension. In the community he tirelessly promoted ecumenicalism in a variety of forms, including sitting on the committee that led to the formation of UPEI. He left Charlottetown in 1967 to assume administrative positions in the United Church’s Maritime conference office in Sackville, NB, first as Director of Christian Education and then as Executive Secretary for the Maritime Conference. Later, he also served a term as President of the Maritime conference. In 1989 he returned to Park Royal where he ministered until he retired in 1991.
For many years the word “retirement” didn’t hold much meaning for Henry, whose work ethic was unmatched. He continued to supply preach for congregations in the Charlottetown area in need of a minister. At the same time, he helped to launch the PEI chapter of Habitat for Humanity and held leadership roles in a wide range of organizations including the Canadian Bible Society, the Upper Room Ministry, and the Charlottetown Christian Council. He was particularly proud of the Tye Foundation, a charitable foundation that he established in memory of his wife Laurene to financially support the work of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and other community organizations. Over the years his contributions were recognized by many awards including an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity by the Atlantic School of Theology in 1991. Henry was named Charlottetown’s Citizen of the Year in 2003, and his leadership was acknowledged by the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism in 2009.
He had tireless energy and wide-ranging interests that included innumerable woodworking and building projects, beekeeping, photography, and family history. He enjoyed time spent at the family cottage that he built in Little Harbour, NS and in later years filled many pleasurable hours reminiscing about his days growing up on MacDonald Street in New Glasgow and the important influence of his grandfather who lived next door. He was a lifelong gardener, collector, and book lover. A great storyteller, Henry loved to laugh and make others laugh; his good humour will be missed by everyone who knew him.
He was a cherished husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his children, Diane (Peter), St. John’s, NL; Cathy (Tony), ON; and Mark (Veronica), Mount Uniacke, NS; grandchildren Laurene Davis (Mike), Melissa Thompson (Colin), Miranda Landry, Kayla Tye Flemming (Tyler), Callum Latta, and Emma Tye; great-grandchildren Aria Persaud, Amaya Gordon-Landry, Naomi Davis, and Bentley Thompson; and nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Henry was predeceased by his wife, Laurene (Falconer) in 1989, his brother Alison in 2009, and his sister Margaret (Peg) in 2020.
The family would like to extend their deep thanks to the staff of Andrews Park West for their care and kindness to Henry for the last three years.
Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. Funeral Saturday, January 24 at 11:00 a.m. from Park Royal United Church. Donations in Henry’s memory may be made to the QEH Foundation in the name of the Tye Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com
Donations may be made directly to:
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation (Tye Foundation)
PO Box 6600
Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T5
Ph: 902-894-2425
