Popular Canon dies after cancer battle

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Canon of Peterborough Cathedral who passed away after losing a battle with cancer.

Canon Thomas Christie (80), who served as Canon Treasurer at the Cathedral for 22 years before retiring in 2001, died at home on February 29.

Canon Christie is survived by his wife Audrey, his three children and seven grandchildren.

On his retirement from the cathedral, Canon Christie took up post as Priest-in-charge of Thornhaugh and Wansford Parish, where he served until October 2011.

The Dean of Peterborough, Charles Taylor, said: “Thomas was a man of huge energy and enthusiasm, contributing not only to the life of the church in this area, but also contributing at a national level.

“He was for many years a member of the General Synod of the Church of England and became well known for frequently moving the motion to close the debate when he felt discussions became too protracted.

“Thomas was a great friend to many and could always be found chatting in the cathedral precincts happily giving of his time to anyone he met. He will be missed.”

The Bishop of Peterborough, Donald Allister, added: “I have only known Thomas in his later years, but I have been so impressed by his effective ministry at Wansford and Thornhaugh up to his 80th birthday.

“He was a lovely man and a wonderful servant of our Lord and the church.

“My prayers and deepest sympathy are with Audrey and his family.”

A spokeswoman for Peterborough Cathedral added: “He was an extremely popular figure and his love for the cathedral was infectious to all who met him.

“During his time at the cathedral he will be most remembered for being a great character and a person of keen and enquiring mind, not much escaped him.

“He spent an enormous amount of time just talking to people and for many in the city the cathedral and Canon Christie just went hand-in-hand.

“When he preached his final sermon at the cathedral in July 2001 over 400 people, which is twice the size of a normal Sunday congregation, crowded in to hear him speak.

“It was a wonderful testament to his work here and how he reached out to so very many people in such an accessible, warm, friendly way.

“Thomas was a devoted priest and teacher of the faith, in the great liberal catholic tradition of Anglicanism as well as being a firm ecumenist.”

The spokeswoman added: “Tom possessed a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

“In his early days in the Diocese of Ely he established a vibrant new church at St James, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, before becoming Vicar of St Augustine’s in Wisbech where he additionally made a strong and often vocal contribution to municipal affairs.

“Following this there was a brief interlude in Kent as Vicar of All Saints Whitstable before being appointed to Peterborough Cathedral.”

A funeral for Canon Tom Christie will take place at Peterborough Cathedral on a date which will be confirmed in the coming days.

SADLY MISSED: Former cathedral Canon Treasurer Thomas Christie.