LIVES REMEMBERED

Fr Patrick Fox was a priest of the Archdiocese of Southwork. He was born on March 22,1944, and died March 31,2008, aged 64.
Patrick Fox was born in Ireland but was schooled in England after his family moved to Mitcham, Surrey. The youngest of three boys, he went to school first in SS Peter and Paul Mitcham and then St Joseph's College, Beulah Hill. After studying for the priesthood at St John's Seminary, Wonersh, Surrey, he was ordained on July 13, 1968.
His first appointment was to Our Lady and St Philip Ned, Sydenham, south-east London, where he served as an assistant priest for four years. In May 1972 he was appointed assistant priest at Corpus Christi, Brixton Hill. Three years later, in December 1975, he went to St Thomas of Canterbury, Rainham, as assistant priest where Fr Fox supported the parish priest Fr Michael Curtin during his illness. While at Rainham he studied for a BA degree.
Returning to St John's Seminary as Director of Pastoral Studies in 1982, Fr Fox held this post for three years. He taught Church history as well as fulfilling his pastoral duties. engaging actively in the life of the seminary.
Following his period at the seminary he was appointed in April 1985 as parish priest of St David's, Abbey Wood, south-east London, where he ministered for 23 years until his death. Fr Fox enjoyed people and parish work and always noticed and appreciated the time and effort parishioners gave in their support of the Church. As well as running the parish he was appointed in May 1991 as director for continuing education and ministry to priests. Prior to his appointment he had been a team member for the Ministry to Priests under Mgr Peter Strand.
He was governor of St Thomas a Becket Primary School, Greenwich, where he acted as chairman of the board of governors for 20 years.
Fr Fox was a very sociable person who enjoyed many sports. Despite suffering from ill health and physical weakness he continued his pastoral work until he was admitted into hospital on March 15 after a fall. He died peacefully in the presence of family and friends.