Tributes to parish priest who served for 65 years
MUCH-LOVED FATHER TERRY WAS ALSO SCHOOL CHAPLAIN
A PARISH priest who served for many years in two county towns and the surrounding villages has died.
Reverend Terence Fellows, known as Father Terry, was priest of St Peter and St Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Earl Shilton, and at Our Lady and St Gregory’s, in Market Bosworth, for over 40 years.
He was also school chaplain to St Martin’s Academy, in Stoke Golding, for more than 20 years.
He died peacefully on Saturday, September 26, at his home in the presbytery at Earl Shilton, aged 89.
Father Frank Daly, parish priest at St Dominic’s Community, said that Father Terry was a “much-loved and appreciated pastor” in the community, as well as in the Hinckley area and the Diocese of Nottingham.
He was also a highly respected member of Churches Together in Earl Shilton and Barwell for many years.
Father Frank said: “His gentle and cheerful manner made him very acceptable to everyone he met and there will be much sadness in the whole town over his passing.
“He was a priest for nearly 65 years and retired from active ministry in 2016, having developed dementia.
“For the past three-and-a-half years, he has been devotedly cared for by grateful parishioners - many of whom describe meeting him as a significant changing experience in their lives - and by the medical teams from Heath Lane Surgery and Burbage Home Care.
“He was responsible for the building of the church and presbytery in Melton Street, Earl Shilton, and the re-ordering of the church in Market Bosworth, the formation of people for ministry within the church and the personal care and support of countless people during his long ministry.
“It is a great tribute to his devotion and enthusiasm that he could be working as a priest among his people until he was over 84 years of age.”
Father Terry is survived by his brother, Tony, who lives in Hampshire, by many brother priest friends, and by the hundreds of people who knew him and had reason to be grateful to him.