Fr Eddie Richer JCL, a previous Parish Priest of St Boniface, recently passed away. Fr Eddie Richer also served in Aldershot from 1993-2000, and Fleet before heading south to St Boniface.

He is said to have been a very gentle and humble man who quietly served and achieved a lot in a friendly fashion.

“He was the last priest here to have a housekeeper who made him wonderful fruit crumbles. A vivid memory I have of this was in the garden of the presbytery when he came out with a rhubarb crumble still in the baking tin and a tablespoon offering me a spoonful of his crumble! …

A lovely shy man who had been evacuated from Guernsey WW2 with his mother and only survived through the help of the Salvation Army in Portsmouth, hence his interest in other local churches.” - Carole Olding.

Below is a farewell note given to him, remembering what
he had done for St Boniface.

In case you need a CV for your next job, here is a testimonial of your achievements in this parish:

You have

·       Moved the font to the front of church

·       Erected the stained glass window of St Boniface

·       Commissioned The Update to the Parish History

·       Supervised the Open day for 75th /100th Anniversary of the church in 2002

·       Encouraged greater participation by ordinary parishioners

·       Welcomed parishioners newly arrived from overseas

·       Enjoyed the chanting in the Malayalam language

·       Excelled at golf both in TOGS and with your fellow clerics

·       Mended the central heating system

·       Presided over the making of the ‘Secret Garden’

·       Served at the same time as both secretary and treasurer to Churches Together In Shirley

·       Helped us to send over 1,000 boxes in three years to the annual Shoebox Appeal

·       Received new members into the Church

·       Made our music legal by paying for Copyright

·       Gave us a new set of hymnbooks

·       Renovated the hall and all its facilities

·       Arranged for access for the Disabled

·       Mended the organ

·       Repaired the dome – again !

·       Gave us a new P.A. system so that we could hear your sermons

 

In short:

- Brought the parish into the 21st Century!

 

Thank you!

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.