Tribute to best-loved priest and chaplain

2006: One of the best-loved priests in Norfolk, who touched the lives of countless patients two decades as a hospital chaplain, has died.

Canon Leslie Ward spent his entire career ministering in Norfolk, including 20 years as chaplain of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

Canon Ward was born in 1938 and attended Northgate Grammar School in Ipswich from 1949 to 1956. After two years' national service in the RAF, he went to Kings College in London and St Boniface, Warminster, before being ordained to the diaconate in 1962 and the priesthood in 1963.

He was curate of Earlham St Anne in Norwich for three years, then curate of Yarmouth from 1965 to 1970. In 1970 he became rector of Belton, which was joined a year later by Burgh Castle.

In 1983 he was appointed chaplain of the N&N. Canon Ward also spent two years as chaplain of the West Norwich and Colman hospitals.

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James, said: "Leslie Ward was one of the best-loved priests in the diocese."

Friend Gill Webster said: "He saw God in everyone and never had a bad word to say. He was a gentle man and a gentleman."

Canon Ward was a widow, who met his late wife Patricia at the N&N. He leaves their two sons, Matthew and Simon.

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Article courtesy of www.edp24.co.uk

October 2006