Catenian Association Province 3(N)

The Catenian Association Province 3 (North)

Brian Ferris

The brothers of Huddersfield Circle were greatly shocked and saddened by the unexpected death of Brian Ferris on 2nd July 2010 while on holiday in Croatia with his wife, Anne.

Mike Andrews, with information kindly supplied by Brian’s family, writes: Brian was born in Middlesbrough on 4th February 1934. He was the youngest of three children and was doted upon by his significantly older brother Jimmy and sister Nancy. Brian was to exploit his position as the "baby brother" into his early 20's and beyond, particularly when at the age of 22 he had lost both parents and was able to add the role of "little orphan" to his repertoire!

Brian received his secondary education at St Mary’s (Marist) College, Middlesbrough, leaving to join the offices of British Rail. At age 18 he was called up for National Service in the RAF. On completion of his service, Brian returned to British Rail. Here he met a young girl called Anne and although her initial appraisal of Brian was summed up as "alright" (a judgement Brian apparently returned), "romance blossomed over the railway sidings", as son-in-law Chris put it in a moving but very humorous tribute during Brian’s funeral Mass. Anne and Brian later married and their partnership was to last for the best part of 50 years and be blessed with two children, Lisa and Michael.

At 27 Brian moved into banking with the Yorkshire Bank and, after climbing the promotion ladder, moved to West Yorkshire as a branch manager, a position he held until his retirement at age 59. Brian joined Huddersfield Circle shortly after his move south. He was for a number of years a conscientious and efficient Secretary and went on to become President in 1996/97. He was, right up to his death, a regular attender at circle meetings, a frequent visitor and a legendary member of the Circle’s quiz team. His quick and ready wit was equally legendary - or was it notorious?

Brian was a loyal and popular member of St Aidan’s, Mirfield, during the whole of his life in West Yorkshire. He will be particularly remembered for his tireless work through the SVP for the "old folk" of the parish. In fact, in recent years Brian WAS the SVP in the parish as he worked to hold everything together in difficult times.

Brian was a man of quiet but solid faith. He was a man of many interests. In trying to describe the loves of Brian’s life (the first and foremost of which were Anne, Lisa, Michael and his four grandchildren), I can do no better than quote again from his son-in-law, Chris:-

"You may be vaguely aware that Brian had a passing interest in football. Being brought up Irish in South Bank meant following two paths of worship - the Catholic Church and Middlesbrough FC, or as it was known in those days in South Bank, the Holy Order for the worship of Wilf Mannion, the original golden boy and friend to the Ferris clan."

Chris later paid tribute to Brian’s character thus:- "Whilst (Brian's) retirement was spent on what at times seemed to be a continual round of holidays, he was someone who would have been just as happy to spend his summers in the back garden, but when something really captured his imagination he gave it his all. Whether it was football, his quizzes, playing bridge, the Catenians, the Cricket Club, his St Vincent de Paul work, he was fully committed - not just to make up the numbers or serve time but to become fully active and involved. In putting so much effort into such a wide range of activities, he came to be known, respected and liked by a large and wide range of people. That is why all of us are here today and why he will be truly missed and affectionately remembered."

Brian's funeral Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Michael McQuinn, Vicar General of Leeds Diocese, a former parish priest of St Aidan’s and a good friend of Brian and his family. The crowded church was a fitting tribute to Brian’s life from the many people who were touched by his humour and humanity.

May he rest in peace

Charles W. Wheeler

It was with sadness that the brothers of Leeds 3 Circle learnt of the death of Brother Charles who died on the l6th July 2010 at the age of 87 years.

The church of The Holy Name of Jesus was filled with the family, friends and Catenian brothers, attending his Requiem Mass. Charles will be missed by all, renowned for the love and warmth of his personality, appreciated by all he met. Charles was born in 1922 into an Anglican family living in Buckinghamshire where the local church served "Chequers". The family later moved to London, followed by the birth of Peter his brother. Charles grew to love music and singing and joined the Holy Trinity Church choir, situated behind The Albert Hall. The "tips" he received for singing at weddings paid for trips to France and Germany. It was in Germany, about 1938, that he was surprised to meet schoolboys dressed in Nazi uniforms.

On leaving school he joined a firm of quantity surveyors and as World War II had started by then, he was involved in the maintenance of R.A.F. airfields. Eventually he joined the R.A.F. as a Flight Engineer stationed at various stations around the U.K.

After the "War" he continued with his studies, qualifying as a member of the R.I.C.S. followed by his Fellowship. His work then took him to the Atomic Energy Authority at Aldermaston in conjunction with the Ministries of Defence and Work. It was then that Charles met Trudy, soon to become his wife. They were married at nearby Douai Abbey where he had earlier been received into the Catholic Church.

Charles, Trudy, and by this time family, moved to Leeds. Here he was involved in the building of many government projects for schools, hospitals and universities throughout the West Riding of Yorkshire. It was then he was introduced to The Leeds No.3 Catenian Circle. Charles was an active member of the association for 47 years, during which time he served as President, also giving many years service on Circle Council. Both he and Trudi enjoyed the friendship and companionship of the circle brothers and wives, supporting in full the social events, and always going out of their way, welcoming new members and visitors. Something they both considered so very important!

As mentioned earlier, Charles enjoyed his singing, and was a founder member of the famous Leeds 3 singing group known as "The Bowery Boys", well known throughout the Yorkshire circles. The group competed with much success in the various competitions around the northern circles, also in London and Croydon.

Charles' professional life continued to develop and he next became a partner in Davis Bellfield & Everest and then after his retirement, the firm amalgamated with another company to become the largest partnership of its kind in the world at the time!

Sadly ill health became a problem for Charles; he suffered his pain and discomfort with fortitude retaining his well known sense of humour at all times and continued to attend meetings for as long as he was able. Even then he was always interested to see and hear from brothers, showing interest in circle affairs to the end.

Charles and Trudy had five children, five grandchildren and a great grandson. The family was at home with Charles where he died peacefully.

Charles was a man of integrity, honesty and generosity and loved by all. He is a great loss to all. Charles was "The perfect gentleman"

R.I.P.

John O'Hanlon

Denis Noon

It was with shock, though not surprise, that the Brothers of the City of Leeds Circle heard of the death of Denis Noon on 19th August this year; shock because, although we knew that Denis was gravely ill and was courageously aware and accepting of his condition, he had been a Brother of our Circle throughout the membership of all of the presently active brothers of the Circle and we realised how much we would miss him. Denis was in his 88th year and the 47th year of his Catenian membership.

He was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 8th December 1922, but whilst still very young the family moved to Harrow where Denis attended the Salvatorian College in Wealdstone before returning to the city of his birth in 1934, where his education continued at Jesmond Towers School. Denis became Head Boy there, but the family had to move again because their father's health would not allow him to continue as a Chief Marine Engineer. The next port of call was Liverpool where Denis's father held a managerial post.

On leaving school in 1940, Denis followed his father into the shipping industry which he combined with Home Guard duties before enlisting in the Staffordshire Yeomanry, which was part of the Royal Tank Regiment. He served with them in North Africa with the Desert Rats, culminating in the pivotal victory over Rommel and the Afrika Corps at the Battle of El Alamein. Having sorted out Rommel, Denis returned to the U.K. where he prepared with the Armoured Brigade for D. Day. On 6th June he landed on Sword Beach, and on D. Day plus 1 he was wounded at Hermanville sur Mer. This concluded Denis's activities as a combatant, but not his involvement in the war, for, having been repatriated and having been sent to convalesce at Richmond, the southern one, his recovery was disturbed by the doodle-bug offensive, but recover he eventually did, and he returned to civilian life.

Denis resumed work with his pre-war employers before moving to I.C.I. Shipping, also in Liverpool, and at about this time met Kay, the love of his life, at Campion Lawn Tennis Club in Blundelsands. They married and moved to Yorkshire when Denis transferred to I.C.I. Fibres Division at Harrogate when they lived first in Knaresborough and then at Alwoodley, Leeds where he and Kay brought up their three children, Rosalind, Simon and Laurence, in whom they shared great pride.

It was at this time, in 1963, that Denis joined the City of Leeds Circle and he was, over the ensuing years to become a loyal and trusted Brother of the Circle. He held the offices of Registrar, Secretary, Provincial Councillor, Chamberlain and President (1983/84), performing all his duties conscientiously, efficiently and with aplomb. It was not, however, by the offices he held that his Catenianism was defined. He was deeply committed to the ethos of the Association, proud of his membership of the Circle and anxious that all business should be carried out correctly, but not, as some unfortunately are, pedantically committed to it. He was, perhaps, the conscience of the Circle, not often joining in debate, but when he did, it was to offer considered and wise counsel. A former Brother, long retired for health reasons, on being told of Denis's death, remarked on the kindness, assistance and warmth of the welcome he received from Denis on joining the Circle himself in the 1960s. Denis was a valued and trusted member of the Circle with which he shared a mutual affection and respect.

His family life and his Catholic Faith were the two facets of his life which most clearly marked him, and from both he drew strength, especially when times were difficult, during his wartime experiences and in the last few years of his life, as Kay's health deteriorated and he cared for her with unstinting and uncomplaining devotion. Denis was described by his daughter, Rosalind, in her Funeral Address as "the heart-beat of the family" and as a "domestic god". The pride he had in his children was held also in respect of his grandchildren, Christopher and Katie, and the love shared with his daughters-in-law, Lynn and Jackie. It was to the family as children that he was particularly influential, stimulating them with his catholic taste in music, from Satchmo to Monteverdi and, one might say, Bach again! (Denis enjoyed puns.) As they advanced in years , their education expanded to wines and food, and that with the expeditions to the countryside and places of interest which he delighted in organising fostered their interest and imagination. He was described by his grandson, Christopher, as the fastener or button of the family who held everything together!

Denis can be described in all senses of the word, as a gentle man, but he was also a strong man, he was brave, loyal to his country, to Catenenianism, above all to his Catholic Faith and family, and strong in his love for all of them too. There was nothing vainglorious about him, he didn't seek accolades and honours, simply the respect that he showed to others. May God grant him eternal rest.

M Lightfoot

Philip Francis (Phil) Wholley

Philip was born in West Ham in London's East End in 1929.He was the third child of John and Florrie Wholley. His father was a docker from a long line of dockers, and searching for a better life they emigrated to Melbourne when Philip was very young. The depression came and they didn't settle, returning to England before Philip's third birthday.

They bought a house in Rayner's Lane in North London where Philip went on to attend the local technical college. During the war Philip was too young to join his siblings in the armed forces and experienced the horrors of the Blitz. He joined the Air Cadets and learned to fly a glider but, by his own admission, rather badly.

Philip and Barbara met at one of Wembley Town Hall's Friday night dances. He was 19 and Barbara 17 and 5 years later, in 1953, they were married. They celebrated their 57th anniversary in Easter 2010 just before his death. They continued to dance until quite recently, often first on the dance floor. Lately hip replacements amongst other things put an end to that. They were always keen walkers and enjoyed the Yorkshire Dales but they walked too quickly for many of us and they had frequently to stop and wait for us to catch up.

Philip served an apprenticeship with Napier's Aero Engines and studied hard in the evenings for an Engineering Degree. With Barbara's support he was able to study full time in his final year and was rewarded with First Class Honours. After winning an apprenticeship prize with Napier's, Phil and Barbara removed to Peterborough where he worked on compressor design for Peter Brotherhoods and enjoyed a rapid career progression. Their two children, Teresa and Christopher, were born in Peterborough and a larger house was needed. But rather than buying a house, Philip decided to design one! So in 1963 the family moved to a beautiful new home beside a pond in the grounds of a large Victorian rectory outside of Peterborough, where Philip was able to develop his second life long hobby, gardening. It was here he joined the Catenian Association.

Philip was also a keen jazz pianist and he enjoyed syncopation classes. In fact he was about to sit the Royal Academy of Music's professional exams when he unfortunately suffered a serious eye injury at work. After two painful years trying to restore his sight, he eventually adopted a glass eye - affectionately known as Horatio. The loss of his eye affected his ability to sight read music quickly, but he did continue to play the piano for the rest of his life and enjoyed writing the lyrics to a number of comic songs for the Leeds 3 Catenian Singing Competitions right up until late 2009.

His expertise on compressors lead to increasingly frequent trips to Eastern European countries during the cold war, such as Poland, Hungary, Romania and Czechoslovakia, where he was often expected to stay for several weeks. This all came to a head when Philip was recalled from a family holiday in Tenby for a breakdown job in Prague. To make matters much worse, this was 10 days after the Russian tanks had rolled in and he decided enough was enough.

So in the summer off 1969 the family moved to Baildon, a suburb of Bradford. Philip worked in Bradford as Technical Director for Rycrofts up until his retirement, designing and sometimes inventing new ways to heat water for hotels and hospitals, and his designs are still sold today.

He transferred to Bradford Circle and with a short absence in the early 70's continued in active membership until his death. He served as President twice and was Provincial President in 1996.

He was a founder member of Wharfedale Circle and served as its first secretary. He was an active visitor and on one memorable occasion, in 1990/91 asked me to a ccompany him to a big meeting of Peterborough Circle of which he was a Past President. He drove there and back in one evening.

Once the children had left home for University, Philip and Barbara moved across the moor to a bungalow on Warren Lane in Eldwick, which was their home for about 25 years. It was particularly during these years that Philip and Barbara travelled so extensively, creating so many happy memories and photographs of holidays to the far flung corners of the globe. Like most things undertaken by Philip his photography was of the highest quality and he delighted many Catenian evenings with photos of his travels which always managed to finish with a stunning sunset.

Back in Eldwick they spent many rewarding hours transforming the garden. There was a paved Italian garden in one corner, an alpine garden in the greenhouse, a fern collection around the grass border and a central pond that looked from its very first day like it had always been there.

Another hobby was art in all its forms, from pottery to oil painting, and from life drawing to cartoons. During the 1970's at the time of the Tutankhamen exhibition in London Philip decided to make a bust of Tutankhamen's head. Now everyone knows what the front of Tutankhamen's head looks like, but not the back. These days you can probably Google that in 5 minutes but in the 70's Philip had to search for many weeks to find a photo. And it was perhaps this attention to detail and their love of stained glass windows that drew Philip and Barbara to the National Association of Decorative Fine Arts Societies when they retired. They spent many hours as 'Church Recorders', documenting in great detail the interiors of a church in Tong and more recently the United Reform Church in Saltaire. The result of their hard work is two bound volumes illustrated with Philip's photographs and beautifully accurate drawings, which are held in several archives including the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The Church always meant a great deal to Philip. His quiet devotion to his faith was the bedrock of his life and it was a combination of this faith, his tolerant nature and Barbara's support that helped sustain him these last few months and allowed him to bear his illness with such dignity. A first class Catenian and a wonderful friend.

Phil died on 8th April 2010

Bob Jowett.

Hugh Gallacher

Harrogate Circle Brothers and their wives were shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Hugh Gallacher on 27th August 2009 after a mercifully short illness, borne with humbling stoicism. The following is taken almost verbatim from the moving eulogy given by his daughter Sharon at his Requiem Mass, augmented by a few comments on his Catenian life.

Born in Methil, Scotland, in 1937, Hugh Gallacher was the oldest son of Daniel and Mary Gallacher. The formative years of Hugh and his 2 younger brothers, Edward and Daniel, were influenced by the mining community in which they lived and in which their father worked and by the extraordinary times of the Second World War and its aftermath. A pupil at St Agatha's Primary and then St Columba's High school in Cowdenbeath in Fife, Hugh finished his school career in 1953 by taking the Civil Service entrance exam. This was ultimately to lead him into 43 years of work as a Civil Servant with the then Department of the Environment, up until his retirement in 1997. He was a passionate and dedicated worker, whose experiences and accomplishments were many and diverse. His time working for the Civil Service was broken only for a few years as he went on to study at Oxford University in the 1960s, developing and then sustaining what became a life long interest and belief in education, learning and personal development. Hugh married Edna Margaret in November 1958 and so last year celebrated 50 years of happy married life, no small achievement in this day and age.

Although he had spent many years living south of the border, and loved his Harrogate home of 25 years, where he happily and easily settled, his Scottish heritage (and accent of course!) never left him and a part of him was always in Fife, his homeland. Hugh has lived in different parish communities as he has moved around the county since his early days in Methil and he made connections, sustained friendships and rediscovered lost friends over the years.

Shortly after his move to Harrogate, Hugh joined the local Circle and, from the outset, was an active and enthusiastic participant in Circle events. Appointed Circle President in 1989/90, he led the Circle with a relaxed and comfortable style; "…courteous in behaviour and impartial in judgement…" could have been written with Hugh in mind. He then brought his wisdom and experience to good use during his three years as Provincial Councillor before his election as Provincial President in 1994/95, a role he discharged with distinction. Although no longer an Officer of the Circle, he was a regular attender at meetings and would often make pithy observations.

Hugh's approach in life was influenced by a genuine belief in social justice and equality; by a sense of community, by the pursuit of honesty and fairness, by his respect and concern for others, seen in his years of SVP work and hospital visiting, and by the value he placed on friendship, companionship and the sharing of good times. He was a man of largesse, and not just in a material sense. In short, Hugh Gallacher was an exceptional man. It is not difficult to find words to describe him. Key words have recurred in the many, many tributes paid; generous, steadfast, intelligent; non-judgemental, big-hearted, a good listener, to name but a few

He loved the simple pleasures in life, liking nothing more than to socialise with his friends and put the world to rights over a pint or a dram. He liked to spend time on his own too, thinking and writing and he completed a number of writing projects.

Hugh was a dedicated family man, bringing to his family stability, consistency and unconditional love. His powerful belief in the family is a strong theme in his memoirs "Beyond the Big Tree". His three daughters consider that it has been an honour to have lived under his paternal tutelage. Hugh's life was deeply enriched by the arrival of his grandchildren with whom he experienced such joy.

Above all, he was a deeply spiritual and religious man, a man of immense faith, a deeply committed Christian and a devout Catholic. He found solace and meaning in the words of scripture and was sustained at all times throughout his life by his unfaltering belief in the Lord, no less so than in his latter days.

Hugh leaves the world a better place for having been in it.

Our prayers and sympathies go out to Margaret, her daughters and grandchildren, with the assurance of our continued loving support.

May Hugh rest in peace and rise in glory.

William (Bill) Nelson MBE

Brothers of Scarborough Circle mourn the loss of one of their oldest serving members, Bill Nelson MBE who, after a period of failing health, died peacefully at home in Edinburgh on 23 November 2008.

Assisted by Bill's daughter, Isobel, David Jolliffe writes: Bill was born in Whitby in 1921 and was educated at St Hilda's RC school and Whitby Grammar. Like so many others from Whitby, Bill heard the call of the sea and by the age of 15yrs he was apprentice seaman aboard the "Lindenbank". He remained a Merchant seaman until the Second World War when he was commissioned into the Royal Navy. In 1941 he was third officer aboard the SS Trevilley when it was torpedoed off the coast of Africa. The crew had to abandon ship into three lifeboats, one of which was rescued by a British warship and while another was captured and its passengers imprisoned in a POW camp. Bill, as the only trained seaman in the third boat, took charge and after being adrift for 15 days landed his colleagues safely but exhausted in a Dutch colony where he celebrated his 21st Birthday. On his return to the UK he was awarded the MBE.

Bill served in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and the Middle East and was on his way to Japan when the "bombs" were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After the war he served in Malta and married Nancy, his wife of 47 years. They had 4 children, Bill, Roderick, Jane and Isobel. Sadly Roderick died in 1977 and Nancy died in 1996.

Captain Bill Nelson moved to Dubai in 1975 as marine adviser to the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and was responsible for setting up a port management system for the City. He moved on to become Harbour Master, a role that involved the establishment of sea lights and buoys around the waters of Dubai. Bill also served as chaplain of the Dubai-based Mission to Seafarers for many years. He married Dorothy in 2002, retired earlier this year and moved back to Scotland only a short while before he died.

Bill will be fondly remembered by his family and friends as an extrovert who loved being with people. His door was always open and he always made fellow travellers and newcomers to Dubai very welcome. Nobody arrived in Dubai without being welcomed by Bill and a "wee dram".

Throughout his life his heart was always in Whitby and he returned there and to meetings of Scarborough Circle during every leave, without fail. It was to Whitby that he returned for his last voyage where the large attendance at his Requiem Mass bore witness to the esteem and affection in which he was held by those who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

May he rest in peace.

Michael Sayers

The brothers of Bradford Circle (15) were shocked and saddened by the unexpected death of Michael Sayers on 21st December 2008.

Michael was born on the 22nd November 1944 and the family lived in Bradford until 1955 when his father's occupation as an electrical engineer took him to Italy where they stayed for 5 years before returning to Bradford.

On leaving school Michael began an apprenticeship as an electrician. He worked at Lister's Mill in Manningham until its closure in 1992. He then went to work for Heild Brothers, who had mills in the Bradford and Huddersfield areas, and was still in that role as mill manager at the time of his death.

He met his wife Pat and they were married at St Mary's in Bradford in 1973.They moved to the parish of St. Theresa's in Queensbury and the family became the centre of Michael's life with the birth of John and Helen. Both he and Pat were active members of the parish. Pat ran the Brownie pack for many years and Michael, as well as being a member of the SVP, could always be relied on to be there when jobs needed to be done – gardening, decorating and, of course, anything electrical. In fact he would help anybody who needed it, and always with a smile.

As the children grew so Pat thought of returning to work. With Michael's support she trained as a teacher and qualified in 1987 taking up a post at St. Oswald C.E. Primary School where she remained until her retirement in 2006.

Michael proudly walked Helen down the aisle of St. Theresa's in 2004, a wonderful day for him and Pat. Helen has since presented them with two grandsons and Michael revelled in his role as grandpa. John, meanwhile, was carving out a successful career in Tokyo. He met a lovely girl there and came back to England in July 2008 to marry.

In June Michael was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and had surgery just two weeks before John's wedding. Nobody would have suspected any of this on the day. Michael appeared his usual happy, upbeat person and the sun shone on everybody. Michael's specialist recommended chemotherapy as a precautionary treatment, which he was due to complete in early January. Unfortunately the treatment had obviously affected his immune system to such an extent that when he contracted the norovirus he was unable to fight it. After a week in hospital his body suddenly gave up the fight and he died on the morning of 21st December from multiple organ failure due to the virus. Everybody was deeply shocked including the hospital staff. Pat had Helen and her husband Rob by her side but John was still in Tokyo. He and his wife, Eriko, flew home the following day and stayed until after the funeral, which was held at St. Theresa's on the 5th January.

Michael became a brother at the Bradford Circle in 2006 through his long time friend David Stockdale who himself had only joined the previous year. David and Michael had been close friends since 1964. Michael was such a friendly person that he quickly became a well-liked and respected brother, who always had a smile and cheery hello for everybody.

The depth of feeling that Michael engendered was obvious from the attendance at the funeral. It was standing room only at St Theresa's on 5th January and the service at the crematorium had to use an overflow room to accommodate people. There were parishioners, mill workers, school colleagues and Catenian brothers from the Province alongside the family and friends who came to pay their respects. Pat was overwhelmed by the support and was so grateful that over £1,100 was raised for St Gemma's Hospice through donations.

Michael has left behind Pat, John and Helen who are trying to come to terms with this tragic event and also his two grandsons, Finlay and Taylor, who were just getting to know their doting grandpa. Their lives will all have something special missing from now on but will also have lots of good memories to take forward with them.

May he rest in peace

John Edward Blake

Brothers of the Harrogate Circle were saddened to learn that John Blake died on lst May 2008, at the age of 66, after a long struggle with cancer. It was typical of John that few knew of the severe health problems he was facing, which he bore with great fortitude.

John hailed from Guildford but moved round the country as his career in engineering progressed. He and his wife Janet and family moved to Harrogate in 1979. Before retirement John was a director of an engineering business in Leeds, which specialised in equipping factories and similar facilities with dust and pollution control systems.

He retired early in 1996 after he was first diagnosed with tumour on his kidney. When he was given the "all clear" in 1998, he and Janet bought a motor home and spent considerable time touring Britain and Europe. They also spent a year on a world tour which took them to Africa, America and Australia and New Zealand.

John had a number of hobbies and interests. He is well remembered for his work in the Boy Scout movement particularly when he was younger in Guildford. He also was an enthusiastic member of the Scott motorcycle Owners Club. As well as exhibiting his three motorcycles, he was a regular rider of his motorcycle particularly early on a Sunday morning round the Yorkshire Dales.

John was a committed member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Quietly and unobtrusively visited and helped (being a very competent handyman) lonely and handicapped people in Harrogate, he organised outings for the elderly and helped the homeless.

John was also an active parishioner of St Roberts Harrogate and for many years he was Chairman of the Committee which ran the Parish Centre. John joined the Harrogate Circle of the Catenians in 1995. He was a popular member of the Circle and a regular attender of the meetings and supporter of functions.

The large attendance at his requiem mass included not only his family, and Catenian brothers but also people from other walks in life who came to pay their last respects to a friend who had been active in many spheres.

Our sympathies to Janet and his children and their families

Brother Ken O'Connor

The brothers of Leeds No. 3 Circle were saddened to hear that Brother Ken O'Connor had died on the morning of 6th August. John O'Hanlon writes. Ken had been ill for a number of years, and more lately had been a resident in a local nursing home.

Ken was born in Rochdale in 1923. He joined the Royal Navy towards the end of World War Two, where he spent some time in America. Returning back home to Rochdale after the war, he joined the teaching profession. In 1969 he and his family moved to Leeds, where he took up a position in the Education Department of the Leeds Corporation. Ken was married to Maureen. They had two sons, Simon and James. Sadly, Maureen died in 1988, a loss from which Ken never fully recovered. Eventually, he became the proud grandfather of Lewis and Holly.

His Requiem Mass, attended by a large number of relations, brothers and friends, was held in the Church of the Holy Name, Leeds. The Mass celebrated his long and fruitful life and thanked God for all Ken gave to his family, his church and the wider society here in Leeds where his personal affection and concern touched the hearts and lives of so many people. His sons knew him as a friend right until to end of his long life. He was always attentive and receptive, offering encouragement and guidance.

Ken was passionate about giving opportunity to people of all ages. He was a member of a number of educational and health trusts, promoting participation in sport, theatre, music and dance. For many years he was a trustee and board member of the Leeds Playhouse, now known as the West Yorkshire Playhouse. He was also involved with "The Outreach Organisation" working with its arts and development team and schools touring programme. Another of Ken's passions was music, producing shows for both the Leeds Gilbert and Sullivan Society and the West Riding Opera.

Gifted and well read himself, an ex teacher and a schools advisor, he pioneered the progress of adult education in Leeds, and during the 1960's was a member of the English Schools Swimming Board.

Ken was a popular and well-loved brother of Leeds 3 Circle. A very active Catenian, always keen to visit other Circles, he developed a large number of friends around the Province in the process. During his Leeds 3 days he fulfilled the office of Circle President. He served as Provincial Chamberlain twice and Provincial Treasurer for a number of years. He was very proud to become Provincial President in 1985/6. Within the Circle he took a full part in its social programme. Who could forget the Race Nights, the Singing Competition and many other events that he helped organise and participated in. A personal memory will always be the Dales Lunch Tours!

Ken retained his mental faculties to the last. Only when his physical strength and mobility declined during these last few years did he begin to withdraw into himself. He will be sadly missed.