Page 49 - The Old Ratcliffian 2012

The Old Ratclifan 2012 | IntroductionThe Old Ratclifan 2012 | Obituaries Fr Anthony Sketch Old Ratcliffian 1950-54 6th April 1937-26th September 2012 I have been asked to write a few for a ‘Curate’s bicycle’ resulted in him words about my brother, Anthony getting his first car, a Fiat 500. Sketch. Few, except the older This affection by parishioners carried Ratcliffians, will remember Anthony on throughout his life as both curate from his school days, and those that and parish priest, with all parishes do will probably recall his ability to with which he was associated appear very devout, whilst inside his expanding, both in people and prayer book or hymnal was concealed buildings. I think it fair to say he a comic. was not always the ‘apple of any On leaving school, he studied to be bishop’s eye’. However, his pilgrimage a Civil Engineer when suddenly, just tours to The Holy Land were before his finals, he decided to go to always oversubscribed, as were the St John’s in Wonersh to become a pilgrimages to Lourdes. He was made priest. a Canon of Lourdes shortly before he was forced to retire due to ill health. He was the first person to be ordained in Bury St Edmunds for over three We hope all will remember him for his hundred years, and was first sent as a work ethic, his jovial attitude and his curate to Bedford. He obviously made care and kindness. a huge impression on the parishioners, Francis Sketch if not senior clerics, as a collection Brother Hector Ernest Bassadone Old Ratcliffian 1929-32 1st January 1914-17th March 2012 Hector was born in Gibraltar where he then enlisted with the Signal Corps lived for the greater part of his life. He in Gibraltar and soon found himself was educated there at the Christian managing and organising radio Brothers School and was then sent communications. He did this for the to Ratcliffe with his younger brother, duration of the war. Louis (33), in 1929. In 1944, he returned to the family After Ratcliffe, Hector studied business and he then married Electrical Engineering at Farradays Eugenia (Dolly) Williamson. They College for Sons of Gentlemen were both delighted when, in 2004, in London. After qualifying as an they celebrated sixty years of married Electrical Engineer he worked at the life and received a telegram from the British Electric Transformer Company Queen. in London. When war broke out, he returned to Gibraltar, only to find Hector loved music and history. He himself accompanying his mother to was a respected and committed Madeira a couple of months later, member of the community. He was where some Gibraltarians were a true Christian and was always at Hector (right) pictured with his brother evacuated. As soon as possible, hand when help was needed. He was Louis (33) Hector managed to return to Gibraltar. a lifelong member of St Bernard’s Hector died peacefully in his sleep. He This had to be undertaken via London Catholic Club, where he could be is survived by his wife, Dolly. and Lisbon because of wartime found most lunchtimes. He was very restrictions, and Hector was entrusted proud when, after his retirement, he Vivian Azzopardi with messages of a secret nature. He was made a Life President. Niece 49 Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk 49 Register o