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97 comments on “Father Donald Edgar”

  1. Very saddened by the loss of Don, and he supported so many Africans in Victoria and contributed immensely to their successful settlement and integration. I had the opportunity to meet with Don on several occasions and he was a thoughtful, kind, devoted, and generous person. He was so spiritual and committed person and may God Rest him in Peace

  2. Don is one of the best people that I have met in my life.
    God has called the great man home.

  3. Vale Father Don. A beautiful service befitting a wonderful man. Eternal life is your reward, mate. The Palmer Family.

  4. Father Don was a friendly and compassionate priest who had been welcoming to everyone including us South Sudanese refugees who now call Australia home.

    He was able to assist many of us settle as much he could. A true embodiment of the spirit of the Gospel he preaches..

    May God the Almighy Father rest your soul in eternal peace and grant your bereaved family comfort..

    Your precious legacy will live with us until eternity..

    Amen.

  5. Father Don was a friendly and compassionate priest who had been welcoming to everyone including us South Sudanese refugees who now call Australia home.

    He was able to assist many of us settle as much he could. A true embodiment of the spirit of the Gospel he preaches..

    May God the Almighy Father rest your soul in eternal peace and grant your bereaved family comfort..

    Your precious legacy will live with unto eternity..

    Amen.

  6. I have got lost in time and tears to witness the so many eulogies from so many quarters. It’s been so wonderful to read what old, old friends from navy days are saying and then so many from the South Sudanese people and others whom he helped in their difficult journeys, in more recent years.

    My wife, Liz, and I met Don in Darwin days, kind of in the middle, in 1969. His ministry was always to be to bring the Good News to the poor and from there, just married and with baby Tim, set off for Brisbane and then Victoria. We have maintained contact through all these years and it has been a deep sadness that illness has overtaken him.

    If anyone could, truly he will Rest In Peace. Our condolences to Tim, John, Damien and Tom and their families. Thank you all for sharing Don with us and so many others.

  7. The Western Region Ethnic Communities Council extends our sincere condolences to the family of Father Don Edgar, our past Chairperson and champion of newly arrived communities in Footscray, Sunshine and beyond. His kindness and care never failed and he will not be forgotten.

  8. Fr Don was a great man has left this earth but will forever be in our hearts. Great memories will live on. All our love with you, we will missed you for services you provides for us as South Sudanese community, when we are new arrivals in Australia, also until the time left you still visited our homes with gift of toys, is agreat lost to us,rest in peace in Jesus Christ name Amen.

    1. Dear Don,
      Thank you for your presence and service at St Peters Eastern Hill and sharing the Eucharist with us at 8am
      Peter

  9. As a nephew of Don, it is very touching to read all the sentiments above.
    He took so little, and left so much.
    Always in our hearts, and never forgotten.
    Greatness in humility.
    Thank you all for putting on the service and for streaming it for so many.
    Rest In Peace, Dear Uncle Donald, and Love to All His Family and Friends.

  10. Thank you for allowing us to share the celebration of Don’s life. As Don said in his own words, he “will always belong to us ” …this will be important for us to remember in years to come. We will all miss you Don. Brett, Damien, Raymond and Phuong.

  11. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Fr Don and may his beautiful memories give you peace.

    The service was reflective and the eulogies were inspiring.We sincerely remember him as a friendly, humble and approachable person while being a locum and visitor at St Clement’s Anglican Church, Laverton (part of the parish of St Eanswythe’s, Altona).
    May he rest in peace.

  12. Father Don, a man with a most compassionate and gentle soul. Thank you for your care of my mother as she neared death and for all your love and care for the refugees and migrants and those born in Australia who need the inspiration and care that you have provided to us all. Go well father Don, you will be missed by many.

  13. God’s speed Don. A beautiful man loved by all, a true gentleman. Thoughts are with all of the family.
    See you on the other side Don.

  14. I for others in the community of christ our Lord and personal saviour. As a person go was lost, homeless from inside but I found home through your simple words. Your help for others in the South Sudanese Community will not be forgotten in our lives. RIP Father Donald. We will miss u. You run the race and you won the Race. U are an example to any human being that any person need to be cared for and cared by others u did for most people.
    Godbless u

  15. Dear fr don was a great pleasure knowing you at Saint Peter’s i will miss your bcp masses I will miss our chats on the phone weekly I ask you to pray for me and I thank you for devoting me to our lady of walsingham
    as you would say go in peace

  16. Thank you, Don’s family for giving me the opportunity to be part of Don’s funeral. It was a moving and beautiful service for a truly wonderful man.

  17. R. I. P bloved Fr. DON EDGAR thank you for support and caring me and Masoud Now I’m far away could not attend or even meet you for the last time that you had pass away. But you still in our memories and our hearts as we so sorry to your family had lost May you rest in place , we payers to you Jesus Christ the Lord to welcome you in his home. Amen.

    My soncere condolences to the family, friends, relativesand all Christains and all Australians.

  18. Dear Fr Don you were a great inspiration to me. You led me in prayer to Our lady of Walsingham and I Enjoyed your masses specially your Book Of Common Prayer mass I will miss you greatly at St. Peter’s eastern hill pray for us Fr don and may you Rest In Peace and rise In Great glory
    From Nicholas Hodgkinson as you would say to me go in peace

  19. Thank you for the opportunity to say goodbye to Mr Edgar. He will be missed for he brought sunshine to the world and ministered to all of us who were blessed to have known him.

  20. Our Father Don will be greatly missed. He was some one with big heart who loves and touch the lives of so many people.
    My condolences to Father Don family. May the beautiful memories of the lives we share with Don help us to grieve.
    May his soul rest in peace.

    1. “Go well” Rest In Peace Fr. Don.
      You will be greatly missed by your extended community, members of multicultural communities will never forget your kindness, love, support and welcoming nature. Your fond memories shall live on forever

  21. Thank you for sharing so many loving memories of Don. I only met him a few times, but the memory of his kind nature will always stay with me.
    With kind thoughts and warm wishes
    Zea

  22. It was a privilege to have met Fr Don and to have him speak at my church on the River Nile Learning Centre and asylum seekers and refugees in Australia some years ago, and to continue to connect since then. I give thanks to God for this marvellous worker in His vineyard. Moe mai, e te rangatira, I roto I te aroha noa me te rangimarie a te Atua inaianei. Amine.

  23. To our dear dear friend Don.
    Thank you for your precious friendship, love, wisdom and humility shared with us on our life journey together..your example greatly enhanced our lives. Of course you were also ‘cheeky fun’..(just ask your Navy mates).. but always God-centered.
    Continued blessings to your beautiful family. Thanks for the memories…
    With love from Cecile and Tony Hunt..and Parish of St Canice, Sydney

  24. I am honored and blessed to have known fr Don .

    He was truly a blessing in my life and I will miss him.

    Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed Fr Don. My condolence.

  25. We thank the family of Father Don and all people who were involved in conducting the Funeral Service for him the opportunity to view that service and express our condolences to Father Don’s family for their loss.
    Father Don was a caring person who gave great support to both his Parishioners and the wider community. His work in the community was devoted to building bridges between people of different backgrounds with the aim of making our community a caring place for all people living in the community.
    During his time at St. John’s Anglican Church, Footscray he gave great support to our late Parents, George King and Marjory King as members of that Parish. Father Don’s support for our Parents continued after they were no longer able to attend services at St. John’s during their later years. Father Don gave great support to our Father after the death of our Mother on 26 June 2012 and had given both my Brother Ronald and me caring support after Ronald advised him that Dad died on 18 April 2020. Because of the restrictions we all must observe at this time Father Don was unable to attend the Funeral Service we held for our Father but we knew that Father Don’s support was with us during our time of grieving.
    We hope that the Family of Father Don will derive great strength from them knowing of the work Father Don carried out to make our world a better place for all people.

  26. Good on ya, Don. Go well.

    To be mentored as a student and as a colleague in ministry by Don was a great privilege.

    I enjoyed the improvisation on “Picardy – Let all mortal flesh keep silence”. I brought back memories of singing it with Fr Don in the wee hours of Good Friday morning during the Watch of the Passion in the All Saints Chapel.

    Rest in peace, Don.

  27. In memory of Father Don.
    It was an honour to have had the privilege of meeting and working with Father Don as a teacher at the River Nile Learning Centre. He was definitely an amazingly compassionate man who supported and made a positive difference to so many people.
    Father Don will be fondly remembered and sadly missed be all those he touched throughout his rich, fulfilling and adventurous life.
    My sincere condolences to his family and close friends.
    Warm regards
    Susan Ross

  28. with love, ‘go well’, I will miss you
    Janet (St Peters Eastern Hill, Monday Eucharist and Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham

  29. Thank you for the opportunity to watch the funeral of Father Don, he was a such a faithful and compassionate person to everyone who knew him.
    We have lost a faithful friend and we are grateful to have know him , we know the Angels our our Dear Father in Heaven will look after you Don, you were a special person .
    To all his Family and Judy our love goes out to you at this sad time
    So sad we couldn’t get to say goodbye to you but because of different reasons , l hope you understand, but our thoughts and prayers will always remain in our hearts.
    God Bless you and now you can Rest in Peace Father Don
    Always in our hearts and Prayers
    Mohammad and Jan Aslani Seresht

  30. Dear John Kylie and Family
    What a man amazing inspiring man! So saddened to hear of his passing sending you love and hugs at this difficult time

  31. Farewell Don my old friend – more than a mate – like an elder brother I never had. You were an inspiration, too difficult for me to follow, but I love you like a brother. Now you are with me always.
    Jack

  32. Don you will be missed by many. Thank you for all you have done in your life for others. Rest in peace Don. Condolences to the extended Edgar family who are in our thoughts at this very sad time, love and best wishes RJ, Karen and Josh & Georgia. xxxxoooo

  33. Dearest Fr Don, you have left such an important legacy of care, compassion and true humility. We never discussed your rich life only your interest in our special needs grand children. I treasure your last text message to us.
    Early mass at St. Peter’s has lost a shining light.

  34. Father Don, you left at a time where we could not personally say goodbye to you but virtually we do. You have been a great man if God who everyone admire. Your endless support for South Sudanese is an example of good heart. Your generosity touched us all.
    May your soul rest in peace.

  35. A beautiful Service for a truly lovely man.
    We were blessed to have known him. Dorothy & Ken Charman

  36. Our deepest condolences. The true Gentleman. He had too much respect to call him Don.
    Always Mr Edgar.
    RIP MR Edgar.
    Phil Corinne & Family.

  37. All the Saints, Angels and Archangels were present today at All Saints.
    I give great thanks for Don’s exemplary life in his sojourn on earth, and now everlasting in the Kingdom.
    Wendy Hartley (and Martin Hetzel.)

  38. Mourning with you a saint of the church and a shining example of the love of Jesus. May Don rest in peace and rise in glory.

  39. its a great loss to us all alike Australians & south Sudanese. F Don, you are the most humble and selfless person ever lived. Your kindness and unbelievable works are here to stay with us for generations to come. may your wonderful and loving soul rest in peace in our living Saviour and mighty Lord name amen.

  40. Thanks be to God for this faithful priest. May he abide forever in the presence of the God he loved and served on earth.

  41. Rest in peace and rise in glory Fr Don. You were compassionate and selfless. A wonderful mentor to many, a true friend and a life-long example of ministry to the marginalized. Thank you.
    Condolences to your family at this time.

  42. It was my privilege to work with Fr Don at the River Nile Learning Centre. I remain in admiration of his commitment to the support and education of African women and their families. May he rest in peace.
    Sandra Spring

  43. Deepest condolences to the Edgar family. A wonderful example of a life lived with purpose and intent. In the service of those less fortunate. You’ve left a beautiful legacy Don and it echoes in your boys. Our hearts go out to you all and we wrap our virtual arms around you. With Love, Dave and Sal.

  44. So sorry that you are saying goodbye to your Dad in these circumstances but you have all done him proud. A beautiful, inspirational and loving tribute to someone who lived a great life. John and Tim a wonderful musical tribute. Go Well. Lots of love to all. Tick

  45. I joined Fr Don at the Naval College and became friends through our time in HMAS SWAN and at Dartmouth. Whilst at Dartmouth, we and his future brother-in-law Des had a motoring holiday on the Continent which I remember to this day . I offer my condolences to his family and may he rest in peace

  46. Our Dearest Don, it was such a privilege to minister with you and to learn from you. Thank you for your love and care of us, your colleagues, the Brotherhood of St Laurence Aged Care residents and members, our trainees from newly arrived communities and the many staff who were so blessed to have met you and be recipients of your care over the last 6 years.
    Go well dear friend.
    May you rest in peace and rise in glory
    Debra, Michelle, Scott and Jenny
    Brotherhood of St Laurence Chaplaincy Team

  47. Father Don has been a personification of kindness, humility and generosity to all humanity without division and an incredible and incomparable source of comfort and inspiration to myself and many who have come here as refugees. He departure will be missed and heartfelt. May God reward him as he has promised to all who have been his faithful to the end.

  48. A wonderful service. I appreciate being able to join in at a distance. Father Don was a friend and an exemplar to me as a priest and Christian. I give thanks for his life and ministry. My condolences to his family.

  49. Grateful memories of a true servant of the Lord and fellow member of Trinity. May he rest in peace.

  50. It was a privilege and continuing pleasure to have known Father Donald for over 60 years.
    He made one look beyond the institutional side of the church to its humanist and humanitarian mission, which he pursued tirelessly as a worker priest with conviction, unfading hope, positive acceptance of all he encountered and a sense of humour.

    My sympathy goes to his family and many friends.

  51. On behalf of all who knew and cherished Fr. Don at the Brotherhood of St. Laurence I offer our deepest condolences on his passing.

    Fr Don was a much-loved friend of the Brotherhood of St Laurence over many years, including as a Charter Member and valued staff member for the last six years. His regular presence in our offices enriched the lives of so many of our clients and colleagues, with his support, listening ear, kind heart and words of encouragement. As Bishop Kate said, his gentle presence among us always pointing the way to Christ.

    As Senior Chaplain of the Brotherhood, he touched the lives of many participants in our programs, continuing his long association welcoming and caring for newly arrived peoples; as well as supporting members of our aged care day centres, dementia respite care in Frankston, and of course in Fitzroy/Clifton Hill the residential aged care facilities where he held the weekly services, supported those in palliative care and befriended so many residents.

    I also want to send our sympathy to all Don’s extended family. I hope you will all be able to be a strength for each other and can come together to celebrate the life of your father, and all that you hold most dear in your memories of him. He was full of faith and courage to the end.

    Be assured that my thoughts and prayers, and those of all Fr Don’s friends at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, are with you, and I wish you hope and comfort in the midst of your sorrow.

    Conny Lenneberg, Executive Director, Brotherhood of St. Laurence.

  52. Fr. Don was a very humble man of God. I looked up to him as an example of how to live a Godly life as a priest, especially asa worker priest. I enjoyed the talks I had with him and his guidance. I’ll miss him. Rest eternal grant unto him O Lord and let light perpetual shine upon him. Well done all. Well done Chaplain and Bishop Kate. Condolences to Judy and the family.

  53. Remembered over many years.
    Was a great friend to my mother inlaw and Wendy’s mum Clare Barrow.
    Spent many a fine night in the little church hall.
    Gone but far from forgotten.
    R.I.P.

  54. Thanks Don for your remarkable contribution to the community: rest in peace. Our condolences and love to Tim, John, Damien and Tom and all. Dan and Harriet.

  55. Don was such a genuine and kind man who contributed so much to his community. Love to Damien, Tom, John and Tim and his wider family. Ami and I are thinking of you and all those whose lives Don touched in a positive way that will be mourning.

  56. I loved the times when Fr Don was at St Mary’s and we would sometimes talk over morning tea. His presence in the services and in conversation was of a holy man, in the best sense – a given life to others and a gentle spirit of acceptance of others.

  57. Dear Father Don. Thank you for all your kindness, Love and all your support to the African communities over the years, I am so honored and blessed to know you. You will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies go out to all your family. May God give you rest in peace.

  58. Let us thank God for his life and Ministry. May his soul rest in peace and rise in Glory. Fr.Don you will be always missed by family of Holy Apostles Sunshine and Braybrook. On behalf of Holy Apostles Sunshine and Braybrook Anglican Church. Rev. Priyajayanth Paul

    1. RIP Fr Don and our prayers and thoughts with your family and loved ones. Thank you for your ministry and service to All Saints Church

  59. Our deepest condolences and love to Judie, and all Don’s family, from all of us here at St Peter’s Eastern Hill. Fr Don celebrated 7.15am weekday Mass at St Peter’s, quietly and faithfully, for more than two decades. In recent years he also took up leadership of the St Peter’s Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham. Fr Don and Judie were founding members of the St Peter’s Eastern Hill Social Enterprise management committee. Fr Don, thank you for giving of yourself so generously to the St Peter’s church community over so many years; we will miss you terribly, but we know that you are in God’s loving arms … good and faithful priest.

  60. Father Don will be greatly missed. It was my pleasure to serve for him from time to time at St Peters Eastern Hill and was always happy to see him in the congregation at other times.

  61. Father Don will be greatly missed by so many! He was a person with big heart who love and touch the lives of so many people.
    My condolences to Father Don family. May the beautiful memories of the lives we share with Don help us to grieve.

  62. Glad to help out playing the pipes for my mate John here at the Church.

    It’s tough loosing your parents!

    1. Hi Andy,
      Thanks for blasting the pipes.
      I was at John and Kylie’s wedding, and remember you playing them then.
      And it was great, and powerful to hear them blasting in tribute again today, for Don.
      The tune is still going in my head now (on the eve of the funeral).
      Best wishes to you, and thanks for being there.
      Kind regards

  63. May you rest in peace Father Don you lived your life supporting those in need our community has lost an angel from above you wear too good to be on earth .
    Thank you for all you have done to us you made Victoria the place to be .I believe you in a better place now, you will be missed and forever in our hearts

  64. Fr Don was the epitome of warmth, love and kindness. He was a truly remarkable person who did everything he could to help others. He will be greatly missed by so many as he has touched the lives of so many people. My thoughts are with his family and all his friends.

  65. It feels like a gentle and generous saint has left the building. Fr Don was a quiet but strong presence that we had the privilege of sharing time with at St Mary’s. With gratitude and prayers.

  66. Don, you will be greatly missed, your wise words will guide you and your life work will inspire us.
    Much love to all.
    Jess, Seb, Olga

  67. My friendship with Father Don commenced when we joined the Royal Australian Naval College as 13 year old Cadet Midshipmen – and retained that friendship ever since. On my irregular visits to Melbourne I was in awe of the respect shown to him of all we passed by in the Footscray area. In all respects Don was so true to his Faith that he helped all to walk taller by his Christian example. RIP, true and long time friend/mate.

    1. My may Triune God receive you in peace, we will miss you Fr Don Edgar and you will beside your in heaven and serve your serve father God as you had served here on the Earth and may your Soul rest in peace beside your God Amen

    2. Rest in peace Mr Edgar.Our sincerely condolences to the family
      Les,Teena Mcalinden and family

  68. As South Sudanese people in Victoria we have lost a great man, Father Don was a supporter and cared to each family. May his soul rest in entered peace.

  69. Don’s thoughtful, humble service will be missed by so many. I will miss my friend of 35 years and continue to treasure memories of time spent with Don and his family at Kensington Joint Congregation, his commissioning at St George’s and All Saints and many cards and conversations since. May Don rest in peace and God’s comforting love surround his family and friends.

  70. Very saddened by the loss of Don, he was a remarkable man. He always brought a calm and warm presence to the room. I was lucky enough to know Don through his sons and also his work with the Sudanese community. Much love to all his family, friends and community, we’ll be thinking of you all today

  71. Father Don was a great and gentle in many aspects. Being a Sudanese migrant I have witnessed how he was supporting my community. May Almighty God grant him enternal peace.

  72. A wonderful humanitarian who gave selflessly with great humility to improve the lives of others and help build a more equitable and harmonious society. A great man, fondly remembered and sadly missed.

  73. R. I. P bloved Fr. DON EDGAR. Thank you very much for your support and care for all South Sudanese Australians. You have welcomed Jesus in appearance of South Sudanese – strangers and homelessess. Now is the time for Jesus Christ the Lord to welcome you in his home. Amen.
    My soncere condolences to the family, friends, relativesand all Christains and all Australians.

  74. R. I. P bloved Fr. DON EDGAR We will meet again. You have welcomed strangers and homeless Jesus in South Sudanese appearance, now is the time for Jesus Christ the Lord to welcome you in his home. Amen.
    My soncere condolences to the family, friends, relativesand all Christains and all Australians.

  75. May the heavenly father Grand father Donald Edgar with his indefinite Grace. I pray for the family that may the heavenly father comfort the family at this difficult.

  76. I am sorry for your loss to the family of Fr Don Edgar. I am a South Sudanese Australian who along with my family benefited from Father Don’s warm welcoming at All Saints Anglican Church on May street, Footscray. As a newly arrived refugee, Fr. Don made our settlement into our new country much easier with his warmth, calmness and unconditionally love. He was also connected to my family in a special way as he married us in 2006. My family and I are forever greatful to him for all that he did for us over the years. Father was a true humanitarian who loved all equally and never fail to give guidance. I am very sad that I was unable to see him in his last days to thank him once more for his kindness. May his kind soul rest in perfect peace till we meet again.

  77. Don spent his life advocating and caring for those most in need especially from migrant and marginalised communities.
    Of course he was central to the founding of the River Nile Learning Centre with Judie Bainbridge coming out of the Footscray Anglican Parish in the early 2000’s. Without them RNLC and RNS would not exist.
    Don had a vision of an Australia where everyone had equal access to resources and opportunity and worked determinedly to try to bring that about. He valued education as part of this vision and saw RNLC as a vehicle to deliver that. A now thriving RNS and RNLC brought him much satisfaction I know, and every day works to honour that vision.
    In the difficult Covid-19 situation we find ourselves in we will have to wait for a suitable time to celebrate his incredible contribution to the River Nile. We intend to set up a scholarship in his name to honour him.
    A great man, sadly missed.

  78. My prayers to the Almighty would be that may his soul rest in peace and may you stay calm
    Great evangelist Billy Graham said ” If anyone asks you whether I am dead, don’t trust that wrong information. Tell them that I have moved to another new house – and a better one at that’.
    Dear friends, Father Don is not living in Melbourne, but in a far better place. That is his new home.
    I am sorry Father Don I didn’t see you at St Peter’s Eastern hill last Monday but I will come and visit you in your new home one day.
    Until
    Good night sweet Prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. May God bless and keep your soul in Eternal Peace.
    Christy Thiagarajah
    23 – 07 – 2020

    1. My thoughts and prayers are with you all the great family members and friends of our F-Don. The Don if a great man who loved every humankind on earth and especially we South Sudanese living in the state of Victoria, Australia we will miss Father Don. I hope you are in the right hand in paradise at the moment. R.I.P

  79. Thank you for making this possible. I will view the Funeral Mass later on Friday (or Saturday) as I have medical appointments on Friday morning.
    With Fr Don’s family and all his brothers and friends in the Oratory I give thanks for his faithful and loving life as a priest and Companion of O.G.S.
    + May he rest in God’s love and peace.

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