TRIBUTE TO TONY IVE

Anthony Ive  – Tony –  and his wife Joan came to South Africa from England in the late 1950s and settled in Johannesburg. Initially they worshipped at Christ Hillbrow. Those were troubled times for the Church of England in South Africa (C.E.S.A.) which was struggling for survival. Even though Bishop Fred Morris had recently taken up the rectorship of Christ Church there was still much opposition from other Churches. Holy Trinity Church in Bramley was a Church that had for a time been taken over by another denomination. It had been returned to C.E.S.A. but in a very weakened  state. Tony, together with Murray Hofmeyr, Herbert Hammond and Jaap van Proosdij, became a strong influence in the denomination during the 1960s and 70s.

Tony and Joan moved to worship at Holy Trinity. For many long years he served in various capacities including Churchwarden, lay reader and Synod representative, and was a stabilising force there. He also began playing an increasing role in the affairs of the denomination, first of all as a representative on the Transvaal Advisory Council and then as a member of the Executive Committee.

It was during this time that Tony wrote the book “A Candle Burns in Africa” which traces the history of the denomination from its inception until approximately 1990. This is still the definitive history of the Church for those years.

Apart from being a member of the Executive Committee Tony was elected as a Trustee of the denomination and later as its Registrar. These latter positions he held until he reached the denomination’s retirement age.

On retiring from business Tony and Joan moved to Cape Town and lived in Fish Hoek where they joined St. Peter’s Church, Fish Hoek where Bishop Joe Bell was the rector and later Rev. Murray Anderson.

Tony was fiercely loyal to C.E.S.A. and supported whatever functions were arranged.  Included in this was his support for George Whitefield College. Almost to the last he attended its annual graduation services.

Our condolences go to Joan, their children and their families.

Thank you Tony for your love for the Lord and your service both to Him and the denomination.

Rev. Brian Cameron