Service Privé
With devastation and relentless, immeasurable sorrow, we announce the passing of Rodrigo Ugaban Tenorio. He was famously and fondly known as Pastor Rod, a hard-working man after God's own heart with a deep love for people. He was a beloved son, a devoted husband, father and newly-minted grandfather, a loving brother and a dear friend to all who crossed paths with him. This world has lost a man of many hats, but heaven has gained a saint. As he would famously proclaim in celebration… "Man Alive!"
Born January 5th, 1956 in Labrador, Philippines, to Roman Sr. Tenorio and Clarita Ugaban, Rodrigo "Rudy" Tenorio lived a joyful, well-travelled and fully decorated life until his peaceful passing on January 17th, 2021 after a valiant battle with the coronavirus at the Montreal General Hospital. He was 65 years old.
He began his scholastic journey in the seminary program under the St. Camillus order. He then attended Luzon University where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Accounting in 1977. Rod spent a season as an accountant before going into full time pastoral ministry. He completed several other educational feats, notably a Bachelor of Theology from South African Theological Seminary in 2014.
In May 1986, he married Bernardita "Bernie" Gose in his hometown Pangasinan, Philippines. After moving to Montreal in 1988, he and Bernie were immediately involved in the local church, specifically growing their roots at Snowdon Baptist Church where Rod was ordained in August of 2004. They were both pioneers and key, zealous contributors to the Filipino community and Baptist movement in Montreal. Their family expanded with two children, Bryan and Rubie, and their Kingdom impact resonates first in the lives of their family as well as all those they ministered to.
"Pastor" was more than a title that shadowed Rod's influence. He had a true pastoral calling as demonstrated by his heart to care for people and his community. Rod was passionate about missions and dedicated his life to the ministry and cause of Christ. He served Snowdon Baptist Church as an associate Pastor from 1993 to 2014, and Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Bob Fields from 2014 until his final days.
After the passing of Bernie in 2008, by God’s grace, He brought him to Julie Guilingen and they were married in December 2010 in Montreal, Canada. They share one daughter, Hannah, and they served God faithfully together until his recent promotion to heaven.
Rod was a pillar within the Filippino community in Montreal and overseas. He invested himself faithfully in the study of God's Word, preaching the Gospel and organizing mission trips, which came easy to him given his natural administrative strengths. Other than being dedicated to his family and ministry, he always did everything with an infectious smile and had the ability to find pure joy in the simple miracles of life. He loved nature, travelling, gardening, hosting barbecues in his backyard, connecting with people and spending time with loved ones. Rod had a special affinity for agriculture and much of his free time was spent in his garden and his lake house in La Conception, Quebec. He took delight in tending to God's creation, in the same way he loved cultivating life in the people around him.
His legacy will carry on, not only through his wife Julie, his three children Bryan, Rubie and Hannah, his son-in-law, Tony, and his grand daughter Kali, but also through the countless lives he has touched throughout his lifelong ministry.
Pastor Rod Tenorio will be forever remembered for his unconditional love and care for his family, for his unwavering diligence and tireless work in ministry, for his loyalty and sacrifice for others and most of all, for his devotion and faithfulness to his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the eternal impact of his life here on earth, and recognize him as nothing less than an inspirational hero of faith and soldier of God. He will always be loved, cherished, remembered and terribly missed. Though our hearts are shattered and we grieve his physical absence, we are at peace knowing that his memory will live on in each of us and that his salvation is secured in Christ. Despite our sorrow, our joy is in knowing that we will one day see him again.
On behalf of the Tenorio family, we would like to extend our deep, heartfelt gratitude for the continued overflow of love and support we have received during this difficult time.
The funeral, in compliance with health and safety measures, will be held privately for immediate family on Monday, January 25th, at Bethel Baptist Church. That day Rod will be buried and joined with Bernie, his late first wife, at the Rideau Funeral Home and Cemetery. The service will be made available online through live streaming. More details about live streaming will be made available in the near future.
