News in brief: Pilot, biker-bishop

Notes: "Gary Woolsey, retired bishop of the diocese of Athabasca, who took his ministry to remote communities by plane, and later by road on his motorcycle, died on Oct. 18, 2013 at the age of 71 in Calgary. In 1967, he became a pilot priest in the diocese of Keewatin, serving 25 remote aboriginal villages in northern Ontario and Manitoba. He was also rector of St. Peter's at Big Trout Lake, Ont. and later at St. Mark's in Norway House, Man., as well as St. Paul's in Churchill, Man. In 1980, Woolsey became executive archdeacon and program officer for the diocese. Elected bishop in 1983, he served until 1991. He returned to parish ministry as rector at St. Peter's in Calgary until his retirement in 2002. In 2007, he was name national director of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer (Canada). Woolsey had a passion for riding motorcycles. He and his wife, Marie, rode extensively in Canada and the U.S. At St. Martin's parish in Calgary, where Woolsey was a parishioner in recent years, he hosted an annual 'Blessing of the Wheels' service. In the last year, following brain surgery, Woolsey wrote two books: 'On a Wing and a Prayer', a book of motorcycle meditations, and 'Meditations from a Hospice Bed'." [Text of entire article.]

Subjects: Woolsey, Gary (Gary Frederick), 1942-2013; Motorcycles - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada