Bishop pays tribute paid to Fr Neville McClement

The Bishop of Northampton has paid tribute to Fr Neville McClement, who retired to Beccles in Suffolk, and who died in February, aged 91, as a consequence of being involved in a road traffic collision, the Suffolk Coroner’s Court concluded on September 9.

A Requiem Mass was held for Fr Neville at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Lowestoft back on March 19, following his death in February. Fr Neville was ordained in 1958 and he retired in 1997.

The Northampton Vicar General, Canon Michael Harrison, spoke at the funeral saying: “Half a coachload of parishioners have come from St Martin de Porres Parish in Luton the final active parish of Fr Neville, where he served for 17 years. He was very much appreciated by the people there and they still remember him. He used to come back to do supply and for funerals and Luton was very much in his heart.”

Canon Michael also read a message from the Rt Rev Dr David Oakley, Bishop of Northampton, who wrote: “Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet Fr Neville but my heart has been touched by the many people who have spoken to me about him, since his death was announced.

“He is remembered with great affection by so many people. They speak of his pastoral solicitude and commitment to the people he was sent to serve. It is good to know that he was able to enjoy a long retirement in Beccles, and with a community he knew and loved.”

Fr Neville was born in Wisbech where he grew up and later returned many years later to care for his 90-year-old mother until her death 

He had an early vocation and entered Usher Seminary, aged 16, along with Frs Philip and Tony Shryane.

His first appointment was as a curate at Great Yarmouth and later Lowestoft where his gentle but robust ministry especially to the youth won him many friends. He returned to Our Lady Star of the Sea in his retirement where with his older brother Eric he enjoyed many Sunday roast with parishioner Jenny Dowson and daughter Catherine, who kept a caring eye on them, along with other parishioners  

The Diocese of Northampton was the one he chose to remain in when the Diocese of East Anglia was formed from the eastern counties . 

Dcn Stephen Pomeroy said: “My personal memory of him in his retirement in Lowestoft is of a wise and experienced priest but one with firm action should the situation demand it. Beloved by so many, including children to whom he had a special gift in the sacrament of reconciliation. When attending Mass he always wore the most elegant and highly polished black shoes.” 

The Suffolk Coroner’s Court inquest heard on September 9 that Fr Neville had spent his final months taking care of his brother before they were involved in a head-on car crash days after Christmas.

The court heard that Fr Neville, of North Cove, had retired to Suffolk where he lived with his elder brother, Eric, who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Fr Neville was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with fractures to his ribs and sternum. He was transferred to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston where he died on February 6.

Assistant coroner for Suffolk, Dr Daniel Sharpstone, concluded that he had died as a consequence of being involved in a road traffic collision.  

You can see a recording of Fr Neville’s Requiem Mass at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWv4QNojNl4

Article extracts from EDP24

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