The Rt. Rev. Roy F. "Bud" Cederholm Jr., Bishop Suffragan in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts from 2001 until his retirement in 2011, died on Aug. 28 at Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill in Franklin, where he had resided since 2021 with Ruth Ann, his wife of 57 years. Bishop Cederholm was 79.
In electing Cederholm as its bishop suffragan, the Diocese of Massachusetts chose a native son, a seasoned priest, well-known and respected throughout New England, a leader and servant of the church who knew the diocese well, having spent, at the time of his election, more than half of his ordained ministry in Massachusetts.
Born in Brockton on July 1, 1944, to the late Roy F. and Roberta (Lucas) Cederholm, Bud Cederholm was a lifelong and avid fan of Boston sports teams, but did not himself play organized sports while attending high school in Randolph, where he grew up, opting instead for the trombone, choir and acting in plays.
His parents, he would later recall, instilled in him a great open-mindedness and gentleness toward other people and a sense that church was a place for prayer and helping others.
He attended the University of Minnesota for three years on a Navy R.O.T.C. scholarship and then returned to Massachusetts to graduate from Boston University in 1966 with a degree in math. He taught school before being accepted as a postulant for ordination, and attended Bexley Hall Seminary in Rochester, N.Y., where, he recalled, his eyes were opened to issues of racism and where he became active in peace and justice work.
Ordained to the priesthood in 1972 in the Diocese of Massachusetts, Bishop Cederholm served as associate rector of St. Stephen's Church in Cohasset until 1976 and then as the rector of St. Paul's Church in White River Junction, Vt., from 1976 to 1989. He was among the co-founders of The Haven, an emergency shelter in White River Junction.
In 1989 he was called as rector of Christ Church in Needham and served there until he was ordained and consecrated a bishop on March 24, 2001, at Trinity Church in Boston.
During his active episcopal ministry, Bishop Cederholm joined fellow bishops in making public witnesses on numerous social justice issues, including advocacy for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the life of the church, marriage equality, criminal justice reform, and peace in the Middle East. Bishop Cederholm was a voice for unity and reconciliation, even in times of churchwide tension and disagreement in the church.
Over the course of his episcopate, Bishop Cederholm became increasingly aware of and concerned about the perils of climate change and was known around the diocese and beyond as "The Green Bishop" for his passionate preaching and tireless efforts to engage people in advocacy and partnerships devoted to environmental stewardship. In 2010 he launched an ambitious "Green Grants Initiative" to encourage, challenge and fund diocesan congregations in energy conservation and creation care practices.
Bishop Cederholm's leadership for a sustained commitment to relief and development work in the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 included his own participation in numerous mission work trips to Mississippi and Louisiana; his example inspired parish and student groups to similar service.
Bexley Hall awarded him an honorary doctoral degree in 2003.
Bishop Cederholm's diocesan portfolio included ecumenical work, congregational development, clergy deployment and ministry with clergy families. The "Cederholm Cottage" at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, N.H., was built in his honor as a retreat house for clergy and lay ministers in need of respite from the demands of their vocation.
For the Cederholm family, Green Turtle Cay, a barrier island off Great Abaco, The Bahamas, was a treasured respite destination, and their extended visits there over many years led to long-lasting relationships in the community and with the people of St. Peter's Anglican Church.
In retirement, Bishop Cederholm served as acting executive director of Episcopal City Mission, was a Thrift Shop volunteer at Christ Church in Plymouth and enjoyed being called upon to assist with Confirmation services and preach in parishes.
Among Bishop Cederholm's abiding loves were music and playing guitar; the ocean and its creatures--particularly whales; and the time he spent in his backyard garden and bird sanctuary. And he was faithful to the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots to the end.
In addition to his wife, Ruth Ann (Lyon), he is survived by his sons, Matthew Cederholm and his wife Tara of Franklin and Daniel Cederholm and his partner Melissa Allegrini of Salem; his sister, Wendy Watt, of Raynham; and his grandchildren, Noah, Shane, Lauren, Jack and Tenley.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. at Christ Church, 1132 Highland Avenue, in Needham. Clergy are invited to vest (white stoles).
Christ Church plans to livestream the service (https://ccneedham.org).
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Bishop Cederholm's memory to: Diocese of Massachusetts Green Grants and Loan Funds (online via www.diomass.org/give-now or by check to Episcopal Diocese of MA Green Grants and Loan Funds, 138 Tremont Street, Boston MA 02111).
Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).