Obituaries

Fr Sir David Gibson FR SIR DAVID Ackroyd Gibson, Bart was born into an ancient and distinguished fcartili in July 1922 at Glastonbury, Somerset.
He was educated at Wells Cathedral Grammar School and the Nautical College, Dartmouth. He did extensive war service with the R.N.V.R. and was present when his ship H.M.S. Manners was torpedoed with many killed.
He was received into the Church at Anchor House, Liverpool in 1944. He studied for the priesthood at Oscott College, Warwickshire and was ordained for the Plymouth Diocese by Bishop Restieaux on the 26 February 1956. He served for five years at St Peter's, Crownhill, Plymouth and sailed in a Force 8 gale to his second appointment at St Augustine's, Weymouth.
From Weymouth, he was sent on loan to the army and served in Germany and Northern Ireland. On his return to the diocese in 1971, he was appointed as parish priest of St Mary's, Helston. In 1975 he moved to Our Lady and St Neot, Liskeard from where he retired to Killarney in 1985 and built his own house.
With failing health he returned to Plymouth. During his retirement he arranged several memorial services over the places where his shipmates perished.
He died on 16 July. Bishop Christopher Budd was the principal celebrant at his Requiem Mass in Plymouth Cathedral at which 50 diocesan priests concelebrated. He is survived by his last remaining sister Joan.
Fr James Gunning FR JAMES GUNNING died suddenly on 13 August. He was 78 years old.
Fr Gunning was born in Chicago, USA and studied at Ushaw where he was ordained in 1945. His first appointment was as assistant priest at Port Clarence and then St Philip's Dunston in September 1952. In March 1964 he went as Assistant to St Mary's, Hexham.
He was appointed parish priest at Our Lady of the Rosary, Shotley Bridge in 1965. In addition to his parish duties he was a very active chaplain for the Diocesan Scout and Guide Guild for 25 years. He was also chaplain to the Territorial Army.
After six years at Shotley Bridge he was appointed parish priest of St Charles, Tudhoe where he served for 24 years until his retirement in 1995. His funeral Mass was held at Tudhoe on 20 August. Canon Alexander Barrass presided.