Popular parish priest dies
Father David Sutcliffe, Catholic parish priest in Uckfield for more than ten years, has died aged 77.
Father Sutcliffe retired four years ago. Current priest David Buckley said: "This was his parish and his house and I tried to keep it that way. Until the day he died he had his own keys to the church and the priest's house here. He was able to come in, sit down, read his paper and make himself a cup of tea. In a way he never moved away."
Parishioner Cathy Kay, who has been a friend of Fr David Sutcliffe for years, helped with his move and is now looking after his dog Scamp. She said: "He misses Fr David very much and I feel very sad too. He was a lovely man, intelligent with a great sense of humour."
Fr David, one of eight children, was born in West Ham and moved to Southend after his family was bombed out of London during World War II. He spent five years in Rome on a scholarship before returning for National Service, spending some time stationed at Maresfield.
He took a music degree and trained as a teacher in London, taught for 20 years in Chichester before beginning his studies for the priesthood in 1983. He started as a priest in Worthing, moved to Slindon and Barnham before coming to Uckfield in 1994. After retirement he conducted Mass at the Visitation Convent, Waldron every Sunday. Fr David was an accomplished musician with a piano, harpsichord and organ in his bungalow, composed his own music and played until his admission to Uckfield Hospital in December.
Popular parish priest dies
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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