Obituaries
There is a light that will never go out...
It is with deepest regret that we announce the following death:
PAUL ANTHONY ARCHER, MBA, FCA
20.2.51 – 28.5.09
Several years ago, the Society had based its National Office at Damascus House, Mill Hill, London at the invitation of the Provincial Father Tom Lane, CM. It put the lay Society at one with the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers) and nearby Daughters of Charity. The Society had begun to embark on a journey of improved organisation and change and needed to sharpen its financial astuteness and corporate governance.
The Society considered itself lucky to attract Paul Archer from Southampton onto its staff as Finance and Administration Manager, and he worked tirelessly for the organisation from the day he began to the day he left, giving much needed professional support to the Board of the time. Whilst there were few other staff then, Paul simply lengthened his working hours to help him cope with the pressure of work, particularly in the early processes of consolidating national counts. “Cometh the hour cometh the man” it is said, and the SVP needed Paul Archer at that difficult time.
Paul died at his home following one of his regular games of badminton. He was buried from St Edmunds Church, Southampton City Parish on 12th June 2009. His family, parish and community were totally shocked by the sudden nature of his passing as his Parish Priest Canon John O’Shea explained during his funeral.
The President of the National Council for Lay Associations (NCLA), Malcolm Forster, who had served on this body for many years with Paul as Honorary Treasurer, spoke movingly in tribute about a gap which had been created and which could never again be filled in quite the same way again. He talked of Paul’s miscellany of skills which he shared amongst many organisations, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, of his warmness and generosity and of his gentleness and deep humility. The NCLA’s recent 8 page response towards the Bishops’ follow up on the 1996 Social Teaching document “The Common Good”, was he said, “…full of Paul’s positive style and is a real testimony to his memory.” Paul represented the Christian Life Community on NCLA, and gave considerable support to the Catholic Assn for Racial Justice.
Additionally Malcolm read a list of 43 prominent individuals and organisations who wished to be associated with Paul Archer’s funeral tribute, ranging from Church and Charity leaders, Prison Chaplaincies and Peace & Justice bodies to journalists and refugee services.
Amidst the funeral closure a voice was overheard to say “Paul was the best, of the best.” and his former National Council Board and staff colleagues, and many SVP friends would wish to echo these sentiments warmly.
Bill Lawson
Tyne Central Council