In Memory . . . Rev. Carl Thitchener (1932-2008)

It is with a sense of loss that the Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group inform you of the death of the Reverend Carl F. Thitchener. Mr. Thitchener died February 15, 2008 in the presence of loving family at the House of John Hospice in Clifton Springs, NY. He was 75. 

Mr. Thitchener was born on March 31, 1932 in Rochester, NY to Charles P. and Dorothy M. Thitchener. He received a B.S. degree in Speech from Northwestern University in 1953. After a successful business career where he was a pioneer in the early microfilm information retrieval industry, he transitioned to ministry. He earned an M. Div. degree from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1980.

Ordination took place at the First Unitarian Church in Rochester, NY on May, 18, 1980, where Mr. Thitchener had been an active layperson for more than 20 years. His activities as layperson included teaching in the church school, chairing the annual fund drive, advising the youth group, and serving on the Board of Trustees. In 1981, he was called to serve the UU Church of Amherst in Williamsville, NY. He was joined there as co-minister, by his wife, the Reverend Maureen Thitchener, in 1991. Their ministry continued until 2003 when they were honored as Ministers Emeriti. Mr. Thitchener also served congregations in Fairfax, VA, Rochester, NY, and Waterloo County, Ontario, Canada. At the time of his death, Mr. Thitchener was co-minister with his wife of the UU Church of Canandaigua, NY.

Mr. Thitchener served the denomination in many roles. From 1993 to 2000 he served as Secretary to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Board of Trustees. He also served on the Boards of Trustees of the Buffalo Area Metropolitan Ministries and of the Starr King School for Ministry in Berkeley, CA. Additionally, he served on the Executive Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association and as President of the St. Lawrence Foundation for Theological Education.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Maureen Quinlan Thitchener, their children Karyn Taylor and her husband Alan, Lynn Thitchener, Susan Levine and her husband Jeff, and Michael Carl Thitchener. He also leaves two granddaughters, Tegan Thitchener Kehoe and Kelley Levine.

A service to honor and celebrate Mr. Thitchener’s life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY.

Messages of remembrance may be sent to 3895 Green Rd, Bloomfield, NY 14469-9725. Donations in the Reverend Carl Thitchener’s name may be sent to Compassionate Care, P.O. Box 123, Canandaigua, NY, 14424.