Obituary of Rev. Dr. Oscar "Oz" Leon Cole-Arnal

To view the livestream of the service please click here.

Passed away peacefully on May 12, 2024 in his 83rd year at Grand River Hospital after years of facing the challenges of both prostate cancer and Parkinson’s Disease with courage and determination. Oz leaves behind his beloved family— Bonnie, his wife of almost 35 years, sons William (Darlene) and Bradley (Deborah) Arnal, “daughters of choice” Elizabeth, Barbara (Michael) and Sarah (Grey) Lamble, grandchildren Michael (Drea) and Amanda Arnal, Cole Lamble Robertson, great-grandsons Bear and Oslo Arnal-Kerr, sister Judy (Frank) Zeman, sister-in-law Susan (Ray) Andrews, his first wife Marion Arnal Cook and the current feline residents of the household Artemisia and Malala. Predeceased by his parents George and Naomi Arnal. 

Oz was born June 17, 1941 and grew up in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. Married in 1963 and ordained in 1966, Oz took up his first call at Ohioview Lutheran Church in Industry, Pennsylvania. Radicalized by the Civil Rights movement, and especially by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King in 1968, and frustrated by the conflicts that subsequently arose in his parish, Oz resigned his ministry in 1969, and began doctoral studies in modern European history at the University of Pittsburgh. After a year in Paris (1972-1973) doing thesis research, Oz received his PhD in History in 1974. In 1975 he moved to Canada with his family to take up the position of Professor of Church History at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, now Martin Luther University College. A passionate and gifted teacher, his academic career was also marked by numerous publications, including the books Ambivalent Alliance (1985), Priests in Working Class Blue (1986), and To Set the Captives Free (1998), among others, as well as numerous journal articles. Oz’s activist orientation came to be particularly enriched by liberation theology through the 1980s and 1990s, always with an eye to racial, class, and social justice. He was active in various grassroots movements, including trade union struggles, anti-poverty activism and anti-corporate campaigning. He was an active member of the Waterloo Region Holocaust Education Committee, the Interfaith Movement for Social Justice, and co-founder of the Alliance Against Poverty.  In the 2008 federal election, Oz ran for the NDP in the Kitchener-Centre riding. He was also a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Astronomy club. His life was informed by his deep faith, his passion for social justice and his wonder at creation and the stars. These passions led him to engage many communities where he was a tireless worker, organizer and inspiration for others.

A memorial service to celebrate Oz’s life will be held at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 445 Anndale Rd, Waterloo on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 2:30 pm, with visitation prior from 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm.  Those attending the service are invited to wear a statement T-shirt or button. The service will be live-streamed on the church’s permanent video link.    

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family or donations to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church or The Working Centre may be arranged through www.erbgood.com.