Rodney MACANN Obituary

Dear Lorna et al. I just learned about Rod´s passing, I am so sorry for your loss. I knew him and some of you (the girls in the family) back in High Wycome, when I was at-pairing with you.
I can only imagine how much you miss him.
Lene
[email protected]

he was so smart and always willing to play.

an add on to my other message, me being his granddaughter, if I miss him, i can only imagine what it's like for kui(grandma) because she lived with him. Also just a huge thank you for all your support through this. It's really been awesome for all of us- especially kui.

Amara bruns, [email protected]

you were the best poppa ever. I've never met someone who inspired me more.
When i qualified for band doing vocals i was so exited to tell you! i got to share that with you, but, i never got to tell you that i got into Eden Albert speech finals 2023. i wish you were here. i miss you, i love you, - Your granddaughter, Amara

A privilege to be able to see the recording of Rodney's funeral. We knew him from Union Baptist, High Wycombe days. Great to see & hear his record especially since we had some part in its production at the time. Every goodd wish to Lorna and all the family.

Dear Lorna and family - we were so sorry to hear about Rodney and extend our love and prayers to you and all the family. Rodney has been part of our lives since we came to Wellington in early 1994 and I remember the first time we came to Central Baptist when Malcolm whispered to me that (that guy...Rodney) is either an Opera singer or he's got some syndrome! We have so appreciated the musical connection and the support Rodney provided to Jono in his singing career with such encouragement and genuine interest in his wellbeing in this tough career choice. Lorna you are all very much in our thoughts. Much love Ginny and Malcolm and family.

So good to see you both three years ago on our visit to NZ. We have fond memories of your time here in High Wycombe at Union Baptist. Dear Lorna and family, so sorry for your loss of Rodney, we look forward to seeing him again when we are all called to our eternal Home. Till then, God bless, Colin & Pam Hutt. The

Kia ora Lorna and whanau,

He kotuku rerenga tahi, e tai ra ki nga pari o te ahiahi e kara - As a white herron signals a great man who goes forth, so the evening tides take him on his journey.

Knowing Rodney only as a young singer through the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, I always felt in him a great love and kindness towards those of us he helped. His strong but gentle presence always gave great comfort to those around him. My whanau and I send our aroha to you and yours at this time, and would like to express how deeply grateful we are to him for the help and aroha he showed me. We mourn with you in your loss.

I roto i nga manaakitanga o te Atua,
Kawiti Waetford & whanau

Dear Lorna and family, we were very sad to hear the news of the death of Rod. Please accept our sympathy and condolences, it was a beautiful funeral and even though I only meet Rod on two occasions I did feel I knew him better after his service. Much love from us all at Te Aro Health Centre - Bronwyn Boele van Hensbroek- Miller

It was a privilege to share with Rod on the leadership at Union Baptist, High Wycombe. The service brought back many precious memories. It was great to catch up a few years ago when we were in NZ. Our love and prayers to all the amazing family and especially Lorna.

Our sincere condolences to Rodney's family.
Dick Edmundson
Principal
Linwood/Te Aratai College

Sorry to learn of Rodney's passing. We were one-time, briefly, work collegues (1959/60) at BNZ Christchurch. Deepest sympathy to his family.

Dear Lorna and family, I have just shared via link the heartfelt service for Rodney- a privilege for which I thank you all. My first time with Rodney was in 1959 when he and I both sang in the Christchurch Vocal Competitions. He invited me to Oxford Tce service- as also to watch him play hockey as I too was a hockey player. For over 60 years our spasmodic contacts have always confirmed a bond of friendship which I have cherished. I enjoyed a special connection with Wellington Central and the setting up of Stillwaters when I was leading Baptist Social Services. He sang for me in services at Auckland Tabernacle and Caversham Baptist, Dunedin- each time :"Beneath the Cross of Jesus." He visited us in Oamaru just a few years ago and we shared many memories. I hope to pen a few anecdotes that may add to those shared today. He has blessed us with his life and song. I am deeply grateful for it all. Aroha for him and you all will continue.

We remember with gratitude to God when Rodney was pastor at Union Baptist Church, High Wycombe. His preaching, leadership and singing was par excellence and we are so glad to have known him.

Dear Lorna,
It was with a great deal of sadness that I learned of the passing of Rodney.
Rodney and I were friends when as teenagers we attended Oxford Terrace Baptist Church in Christchurch, New Zealand.
I followed Rodney's singing career with great interest, and later when we both became Baptist ministers we had great times together.
Rodney was truly one of God's gifts to us all - not only his singing but his encouraging friendship and faith in God.
The Macann family (Rodney's parents - George & Doris) have been a significant part of my life for which I will always be grateful to God.
John Wilton (Victoria, Canada)

Rodney came to us like a breath of fresh air when he and his wife Lorna came to union Baptist church High Wycombe . He was a gift as he not only preached but shared his incredible voice too ! I felt so privileged when I was a music student, to sit in on one of Rodneys rehearsals of king Priam and then extremely grateful when he sang at my wedding in 1988 . Roger and I send our deepest sympathy and condolences to Lorna and the family who will be grieving the loss of a much loved husband , father and grandfather . Sending love and condolences , Caroline ( nee Le Good) and Roger Morgan

Dear Lorna Rachel, Katharine, Stuart and Robert

Our sincere condolences to you at this sad time of your lost. Rodney may us feel so welcome when we first started to attend Central Baptist Church. Also we have fond memories when our families got together for meals or outings.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Henry, Tania, Christopher and Jonathan Chiu

Dear Lorna,
Thankyou for sharing in life at Central Baptist and sharing Rodney. He made such a difference to Maxwell when he visited so faithfully when he was bedbound all those months. We will never forget that, as well as his singing and his firm faith. Barbara Collins

Dear Lorna,

I have such happy memories of the time I spent with Rod. At Union, at those summer camps and at your house in Greenhill Close. And I'll never forget his singing, at Union, The "Hallelujah Chorus" conducted by Road at the last Sunday service before Christmas, the operas at Warwick University and in London, and the performances of the St Matthew Passion, Bach, on Palm Sunday at the Festival Hall.

Love & best wishes to you all, Julian Le Good

Sending much love to Stu and Anne, and the whole MaCann Family as the let go and grieve their beloved relative. He was a great gift to the world, and certainly to the family. Love and blessings on your journey home Rodney. May angels wrap around you Stu and Anne with the new adjustment to the loss of your brother.

Sincere condolences to you Lorna and all the family at this sad time of your loss. I have known Rodney since he was 18 when I had the pleasure of accompanying him on the organ when he made his first commercial recording "Every time I feel the Spirit". It was obvious to us all then that he was about to embark on an international career. And how appropriate that he chose that spiritual as the inspiration that led him to his outstanding role as a Baptist minister. It was a thrill when on return to New Zealand after his overseas successes we were able to have him singing major roles in Wellington City Opera productions of Tosca,Rigoletto,Carmen, Eugene Onegin and Madama Butterfly. His professionalism was balanced with his sincerity and friendship and it was a privilege to have known him for so many years.
Peter Averi, former Artistic Administrator Wellington City Opera.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Rodney but
we have many good memories of the time when Rodney was pastor at Union Baptist, He was a very gifted man who not only enjoyed a game of cricket, could sing and faithfully served his Lord. Our love to Lorna and the family. Peter and Pauline Ellins

Dear Lorna,

I am so sorry to hear of Rod's sudden passing. He was a good friend, and I will always remember our time together at Spurgeon's College, and the concerts we gave together after we had both left to become Baptist ministers.

Our sympathies are with you and all your family,

David Trafford

I send my deepest sympathy to Lorna and all the family.
I remember Rodney from Union Baptist Church in
High Wycombe where he took part in my baptism in 1974 when he also sang 'The 90 & 9'.
I still have this and many other songs on Rodney's
LP records which are so very special to me.

Lis Rowe

My sympathy to you, Lorna. I was so sorry to read of Rodney's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.

To Lorna, and your family, deepest sympathy. Rodney was a genuine and well respected man, and will be singing with the angels in heaven.

I remember Rodney as a minister at Union Baptist Church, High Wycombe, the big man with a deep voice. He baptized me in my teens; the teaching he gave during that time have stayed with me, and I am forever grateful for them. My love and prayers to Lorna and the family for a much-loved man.

Our love and prayers are with you all. Such a lovely man. Aubrey & Karen Dunford xx

My thoughts and prayers with you all. Rodney was a great man of faith, and very encouraging and supportive in my early years of ministry when he was Nat. Leader of the BU - it was a pleasure to work with him (& have lunch at the Wellington apartment, which I loved!).

Hi Lorna
Sorry to learn of the passing away of Rodney. Please accept our condolences. Our thoughts are with you and the family.
Saji and Sarath Weerasinghe