Borough bids final farewell to Rector Reg

Those words, probably more than any others, fittingly summed up the life and work of Canon J. R. Smith, whose death last week plunged the borough into mourning.

At the service at his beloved Bury Parish Church, ordinary members of the public from all walks of life rubbed shoulders with VIPs and dignitaries.

But the common bond which threaded each and every one together was that they had known, admired and respected Canon "Reg", who throughout his 56 years in the ministry touched the hearts and emotions of all with whom he came into contact.

While more than 1,000 people crowded into the church, occupying every pew and aisle, hundreds more gathered at the entrance or stood silently outside.

Despite the cold and the pouring rain, the crowds were fortified and warmed by the many tributes paid to a man whose unstinting work and devotion earned him almost legendary status.

The solemnity of the occasion was signalled by the mournful single peel of the church bells which greeted the mourners.

But the service itself was an uplifting experience - a celebration and thanksgiving for Canon Smith and his 31 years as Rector of Bury.

Laughter, rather than sobbing, echoed around the church as speakers recounted anecdotes in their summary of his life.

And the funereal formality was well and truly punctured when Canon Smith's son, Patrick, received a heartfelt round of applause at the conclusion of his tribute to his father.

Prayers were led by the Archdeacon of Bolton, the Ven Lorys M. Davies, and the address was by the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Rev Jonathan S. Bailey.

In the mid-1960s, while a curate in the parish of Sutton, St Helens, the bishop worked alongside Canon Smith for a year before, as he put it, "Bury beckoned".

He said: "All that matters today is that this must be a day of thanksgiving."

Commenting on Canon Smith's long years of service to God and the community, he added: "It is finished: mission accomplished. He has done the work which was set before him with distinction and honour."

Bishop Bailey said that six months ago he had joined the rector in the parish church pulpit during Bury Grammar Schools' founders' day service.

"I have very fresh memories of that day," he told the congregation. "Reg was very much in control - the man I knew and loved. Age had not wearied him."

Bemoaning the fact that he had spent only a year working alongside Canon Smith in St Helens, he went on: "But there was so much to be thankful for. Every day he would visit the 200 or so beds at the hospital in the parish. Every admission was seen." It didn't matter what religion they were, he said. "They were all patients to Reg. I think of the way he would spend hours with individual patients who were dying slowly, sometimes over weeks." He recalled how Canon Smith had taught him how to conduct funerals and how important it was for the clergy to be forever visible.

"I learned so many things which I treasure and constantly remember day by day as I go about my life and work."

Bishop Bailey continued: "He heard God, he loved God and served God. As we give thanks to him, he will thank us for being here with him."

Canon Smith's son Patrick, during a personal reflection on his father's life and work, said: "Dad would have been overwhelmed that so many people turned up to celebrate and give thanks for the life of a man who came from a humble background."

He said a memorial service would be held within the next two to three weeks, allowing people to recount the anecdotes and stories "which made dad so unforgettable".

He told the mourners: "If dad were here in my place, he would demonstrate his supreme wordsmanship, which he honed to perfection over 56 years in the ministry. And if I could ask for anything from him as an inheritance, it would not be his money, certainly not his car ... it would be his ability to say the right word at the right time."

Praising his father's skills in conducting funerals, he continued: "He always found that right word; his ability made it look deceptively easy."

He turned back the clock to the fateful day, Monday, November 3, when Canon Smith succumbed to a coronary.

"A massive heart attack ended the extraordinary life of Reg Smith. It needed a massive heart attack because it killed a massive heart."

He underlined his father's other major achievements, describing him as a champion of education and an after-dinner speaker par excellence.

Patrick told how his father's humour found favour not only in the parish, but in the palace.

When Canon Smith went to Buckingham Palace in March to collect his MBE, the Queen asked him how long he had served in Bury.

When told it was more than 30 years, she said he must be very well acquainted with the town. He replied: "If it moves in Bury, I know about it."

Commenting on his father's devotion to the town, Patrick stressed: "By association, we were part of his vocation. He was on call 24-hours a day, 52 weeks a year.

"Dad gave his all to Jesus."

The commendation was delivered by the Rt Rev Stephen Venner, Bishop of Middleton.

After the service, the coffin was carried from the church into a waiting hearse. Later a private committal, for family only, was held at Overdale Crematorium, Bolton, conducted by the Bishop of Derby.

The broad cross-section of those who attended the funeral service reflected the rector's commitment to the community.

Mourners included a contingent from the 44th R.O.B.O.T. Scouts; Bury FC players; clergy from all Bury's religious denominations; representatives from schools; Bury North MP David Chaytor; the Mayor of Bury, Coun Roy Walker; and officials from dozens of organisations and groups which had links with Canon Smith.

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