Page 57 - The Old Ratcliffian 2015 Magazine

OBITUARIES 57

I turn another page and see Martin the businessman. I recall landing?’, or, ‘On a score of one to ten?’, to which I replied,
the day in 1990 when he said to me, ‘I’m thinking of starting ‘Three’. Never to be deterred, Martin soon returned to the air,
a business and I’d like you to work with me’. From humble honed his skills and became an excellent pilot, although he never
beginnings to an enviable multi-branch business spanning over understood why there were no takers for a trip in the plane with
twenty-four years, I can honestly say that it’s been a pleasure to him! Thereafter, we shared many memorable trips down the
have worked with him, as both a brother and a business partner. Norfolk coast, landing on remote beaches and chasing clouds.
Yes, Martin, we sure did silence the sceptics!
Martin was remarkable in so many ways. He lived his life to the
At Kiowa, Martin shared his expertise with anyone who would fullest and touched so many people during his time here with us,
listen, he worked hard consistently, and he remained a student as is evident by so many of you being here today.
of life. My brother never stopped learning, especially through
his loving wife and children. He never sat back and became Martin’s book is an enviable one, full of stories, laughter and
complacent. He led by example as he mentored both William and joy. But, before I go, there is just one final page. They say that
Thomas through their school years. You can say that he was, and ‘the good die young’, and never has a truer word been spoken.
will always be, an inspiration to them. Martin, you were all that you could be, and then some. To all of
you here in this church, I say, if you ever look skyward and see
As I turn the next page, I see Martin as the pilot who always those white fluffy clouds, think of Martin, the family man, our
claimed to have ‘one less landing than takeoff’. In October friend, my brother, and my wingman.
2007, he had a serious accident. I remember helping him from
the wreckage with severe injuries. Later, in hospital, Martin, who Eulogy
was never worried about his own injuries, was more concerned Justin Needham (87)
with those of his friend. I recall him asking me, ‘How was my Brother

REV FR ANTHONY DEWHIRST IC

OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1942 - 1948 Tony was a Yorkshire man, and he was very keen on both playing
DECEMBER 9TH 1929 - JULY 10TH 2015 and following cricket; he was even an MCC umpire of some sort!

I first remember seeing Tony in a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta I think that Tony will be remembered for many things, but, above
at Ratcliffe in about 1948; he was quite musical. He left Ratcliffe all, for his dedication to the works of Antonio Rosmini and his
that year and joined the Rosminian novitiate. He went on to study work with the Ascribed members.
at Cambridge and then returned to Ratcliffe to teach Biology.
Tony undertook his priestly studies for three years at St John’s Fr John Bland IC (53)
Seminary, Wonersh, and then spent three years in Rome. He was
ordained at Ratcliffe College in the new Chapel only a week after
it was opened.

Tony spent many years in New Zealand. He taught at the Rosmini
College in Takapuna from 1964 until 1969, when he returned to
the UK and re-joined the staff at Ratcliffe. After this, he spent
four years at Derryswood, where he became Director of Studies
and worked with the Rosminian Ascribed.

Tony then returned to New Zealand and taught at St Peter’s
College, Gore, in the South Island. Again, he was very much
involved with the Rosminian Ascribed, as this was something
that he was very devoted to wherever he went. He then returned
to Auckland, where he spent many years working on the Marriage
Tribunal for the Diocese of Auckland.

In 1998, Tony came back to the UK and joined the Parish of
St Etheldreda’s in London, where he worked on the Marriage
Tribunal. He returned to Derryswood in 2001, where he studied,
in depth, the writings of Antonio Rosmini. Tony published quite
a number of books about him, including, whilst in New Zealand,
a brief booklet on the history of the Rosminians throughout the
world. It was a very popular and colourful piece.

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