With sadness we share the news of the death of Michael Ford Rehill, 78, on September 16, 2024.
Michael held the title of Chancellor Emeritus in the Diocese of Newark after serving for 18 years as Vice Chancellor (1984-1991) and then Chancellor (1991-2002). In 1996 he successfully defended the Rt. Rev. Walter Righter, Assisting Bishop, in a heresy trial for ordaining an openly gay man. In a landmark decision, the church court dismissed the charge, finding that The Episcopal Church, “has no doctrine prohibiting the ordination of homosexuals.”
At the diocesan level, Michael also served on the Constitution & Canons Committee (1984-1995), Diocesan Council (Class of 1984 & 1986), the Standing Committee (1986-1991), the Trustees (1988-2008), and was the motivator behind the diocese sponsoring, through HUD, the senior residences of Hillsdale House, Rutherford House, and the Nutley Senior Manor.
Michael represented the Diocese of Newark at General Convention as a Deputy (1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003) and Alternate Deputy (1985, 2006, 2012, 2015), and served at General Convention on the Committee on the Constitution, the Committee on Canons, and the Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop.
In Province II, he served as Chancellor (1993-1999), Vice President (1999-2006) and then President (2006-2012), and was a member of the Provincial Leadership Conference from 1999 through 2011.
A member of the Ecclesiastical Law Society (U.K.), Michael also served as Church Attorney in the Diocese of Long Island (2006-2008), Chancellor of the Diocese of Pennsylvania (2007-2010), counsel to the Chief Operating Officer of The Episcopal Church (2014-2015), and represented the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the U.S.
Michael is survived by his five children, Kate, Erin, JT, Meghan, and Mick; and six grandchildren.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Grace, Westwood on Saturday, November 2, at 10 AM. There is limited street parking as well as municipal lots in Westwood’s downtown area.
Condolences may be sent to The Rehill Family c/o Pamela Lutz, 1 Route 94, Suite A, Vernon, NJ 07462.
Father of all, we pray to you for Michael, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
