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THE REVD PREBENDARY JOHN F PARKINSON 1930-2003
Provost in Bahrain, Dean in Jerusalem

Stephane K Holland of St Gregory’s, Dawlish, wrote:

The Revd John Parkinson died peacefully at home on the evening of Sunday 14th December, after a long illness which he had endured bravely. All his family were with him during his last hours.

His long and distinguished life in the Church began in the fifties with a curacy at St Andrew’s in Plymouth, before he became Vicar of Devonport St Budeaux in 1962. During this time, he was Religious Adviser for Westward Television, and became known to a much wider public for his televised Epilogue, which closed the evening broadcasts in those days. His thoughtful talks, putting the Christian message over so succinctly in the four minutes allotted, drew many people to listen – and to think.

In 1966, he became the well-loved Vicar of Kenton with Mamhead, and stayed there until 1983, being made a Prebendary of Exeter Cathedral in 1975.

His last full time appointment (1983-1989) was in Bahrain, where he became Provost of St Christopher’s, which became the Cathedral during his stay. He was Honorary Chaplain to the British Embassy in the Holy Land, and Dean of St George’s, Jerusalem in the early nineties.

Since his retirement in Dawlish, we have been privileged to have him as an Honorary Minister at St Gregory’s, and he led the team, caring for Dawlish Parish, during the vacancy. During his retirement he also returned to work in the Middle East several times, for he had always maintained close links with the area.

John’s ministry has been greatly valued wherever he has been, and his perceptive insights, dry wit, and thoughtful speech made him an excellent preacher and a true ‘Man of God’. (In St Gregory’s he will be remembered too for his socks, which often featured in his Children’s talks at the Sunday morning services.)

He has, of course, always been supported by his wife, Joan, and together they made a wonderful team. He will be sadly missed.