Bishop Eric Bays was born, 10 Aug. 1932, at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. fifth and last child of the Rev'd Canon Percy Bays and his wife Hilda (Harper).

Eric graduated from the Portage Collegiate High School in 1950, having served one year as President of the student society. He graduated from the University of Manitoba, B.Sc. (Pharmacy.), in 1955. He served as Senior Stick in his final year. While at university Eric served in the University Reserve Training Plan (R.C.A.F.). In the summer of 1955, Eric was posted overseas with the rank of Pilot Officer. In 1959 he graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.A. (with distinction), his majors were Philosophy and Greek. In that same year, he completed the L.Th. degree at Emmanuel College, Saskatoon. While at Emmanuel College he served as Senior Student for the theological college.

In 1959 he was ordered Deacon for the Diocese of Rupert's Land by Archbishop Walter Barfoot in 1959. In the following year (1960) he was ordained Priest.
His first posting was as assistant Curate to the Rev'd Ronald Shepherd at All Saints', Winnipeg (1959-61). From 1961 to 1962 Eric was lecturer in Pastoral Theology at Emmanuel College in Saskatoon. In the period 1962-1963 Eric was Priest-in-charge, Burns Lake Mission, Diocese of Caledonia, and in 1963-64 he was Priest-in-charge, Masset Mission, Queen Charlotte Islands.

In the period 1964-65 he was a novice in the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield, England.

In 1965 Eric returned to Canada where he was Vicar, St. Saviour's, East Kildonan, with St. Catherine's, Bird's Hill, Diocese of Rupert's Land until 1967. For the next eight years (1968-1976) he was Rector, All Saints', Winnipeg. In 1974 he was appointed a Canon of St. John's Cathedral which he held until 1986. Eric also graduated from Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis with an M.Th. in 1974.

From 1976 to 1986 he was Professor of Pastoral Theology at the College of Emmanuel and St Chad in Saskatoon. One of his lasting contributions to the college was a new program for developing and supervising of internships for seminarians. From 1982 until 1986 he was also the Vice-Principal of the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad. His position at the college came to an end when he was elected Bishop of Qu'Appelle in September, 1986. He served as bishop of this diocese until his retirement in August 1997. Eric's contributions were recognized when he was granted the degree, Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) from the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, at the 1989 convocation.

Eric married Patricia Ann (Earle) in 1967 (Patricia Bays is an author in her own right). Their family was enlarged by the birth of two children, Jonathan (1969), and Rebecca (1971).

Eric has been active in many organizations over the years.

• The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, 1950-52
• Oblate of the Community of the Resurrection, 1961-64
• Kiwanis Club of East Kildonan, 1965-67
• Member of the Board, the Church Home for Girls, Winnipeg, 1969-73
• President of Board, 1972-73
• Member of the Board, Council for Social Services, Regina, 1988-90.
• Member of Circles of Support and Accountability, 2002-
• Patron of Circles, 2003- .
• Coordinator, Westboro Region Food Service, 2000 - .
• Member of the parish choir, All Saints' Westboro 1998 -.

From 1997 until 1998, Eric and Patricia lived in Sewanee, Tennessee, while Patricia taught at the University of the South.
In 1998, they returned to Canada, moving to Ottawa, Ontario.
They now reside at 700 Roosevelt Ave (postal code K2A 2A7).

Eric can be contacted by mail or telephone: 613 724 6690. or e-mail.