Comments on: So Long, Maurice Sills

By: Helen White

Helen White — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 15:02:46 +0000

Dear Maurice, I miss you and our chats in the Chapter House. It was an honour to have known you and I am proud of the way the cathedral’s community has marked your passing with pomp and also such genuine expressions of admiration and love.

Gone but never forgotten!

Helen x

By: Derek Francis

Derek Francis — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 21:19:13 +0000

A prayer – for Maurice – from a member of the Guild of Wandsmen of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London:-

All down – throughout – the turning of the pasting years – throughout you gave us laughs and smiles!
So teaching youth – each year, upon by year – and us, to all, to each, your love of Christ you held adored!
You held the lantern! – So adorned aloft! That carried afar… HIS light, the glow to lighten future paths for miles…!
The Light of the World…! You truly saw! And you, humbly in your life’s dedication – you moved us towards our Lord!

Good Bye! – Mr. Chips – Farewell!
May the light of light, perpetual shine upon you, and safeguard you in eternal peace!

AMEN.

By: Jim Brettell

Jim Brettell — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 10:14:01 +0000

It seems appropriate to share a fondly-held memory of my Uncle from childhood. During the 1950’s, Maurice and Ellen lived quite close to us on the borders of Palmers Green. I well remember being invited round one Saturday morning when I was about 7 or 8 because the BBC Home Service was conducting an experiment in something called ‘stereophonic sound’. We duly followed the instructions to ‘place the radio receiver in one corner of the room, opposite the television’ and were eventually treated to the sound of an underground train appearing to move, as if by magic, across the room, from left to right. I remember we were both amazed, but not sure if the development would have any practical purpose….right up to his passing, Maurice was always an engaging educator and I know many, including myself, will have had cause to thank him for that.

By: Andrew Plume

Andrew Plume — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 08:38:39 +0000

What a great story and what a lovely man. And there’s a similarly fitting notice in today’s ‘Daily Telegraph’:

“Maurice Charles died peacefully on 25th June 2017 aged 101. Beloved husband of Ellen for 42 years. Maurice spent his professional life as a teacher and headteacher and following his retirement gave himself for almost four decades to the work of St Paul’s Cathedral and Cathedral School, where he was treasured by all within the St Paul’s Community. A great cricket enthusiast and devoted Norwich City F.C supporter, he was a loyal and generous friend to many, inspired to the last by his Christian faith. Funeral Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on 11th July 2017 at 5pm. No flowers please, but donations, if desired, to the St Paul’s Cathedral School and sent to the funeral directors – Leverton & Sons Ltd 1 Denmark Terrace, Fortis Green, London N2 9HG Tel 020 8444 5753”

By: Chris Royall vicar choral 1978-2013

Chris Royall vicar choral 1978-2013 — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:23:05 +0000

Maurice has been a very dear friend of our family for almost 40 years and always came to us every Boxing Day and to watch our sons play cricket. Too many fond memories to number ,he’s a legend and a national treasure,. RIP dear friend. Chris and Lynda Royall

By: Tim Allman

Tim Allman — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 06:37:13 +0000

Thanks for sharing a lovely article. I knew Maurice as he was a member of the Norwich City Supporters Club, the Capital Canaries. Maurice was a regular on the London/Norwich train with us all for many years before deciding that the journey was too much at the young age of 98 or so. He was an amazing man, had time, kind word and a story for everyone.

By: Bailey Jones

Bailey Jones — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 22:42:09 +0000

Thank you for sharing this again and letting your readers know this lovely gentleman has gone to meet his maker.

By: Annoné Butler

Annoné Butler — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 17:16:43 +0000

Such wisdom. I hope that Maurice has flights of angels to sing him to his rest.

By: Ros

Ros — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 17:05:24 +0000

Lovely man, lovely face. I enjoyed reading about him all over again. His modesty and shrewdness are very refreshing.

By: Dominic

Dominic — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 13:56:56 +0000

Poor old Maurice – what a great man, a lovely man, a true gentle man. I had not seen him for years & years. I remember his wife, Ellen, as well – they married in 1954.