Fr Anthony Richins RIP - Obituary

Fr. Anthony's funeral was held at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, on Tuesday 27th January 2015 - more to follow.

Anthony Richins was born in 1932, the eldest of 4 brothers - Francis, John ( Jake) and Laurence followed him to Clapham College.

He was evacuated with Clapham to East Grinstead, then to Taunton . It was here that Anthony met his great friend Michael Straiton (later a doctor and a Papal Knight). In 1951 Anthony left Clapham, and read English at King's College, London,. After University, he did National Service at Aldershot Barracks. Because of his degree, he was put in charge of issuing weekend passes. Naturally, Anthony granted himself a pass every weekend for 2 years !

After National Service, he joined the Seminary at Wonersh, and was ordained in 1962 ( Jake remembers driving Brother Peter and Brother Sylvester down to Wonersh in an open- top sports car ! ) Anthony then taught English at John Fisher School, where he encouraged a young Bill Nighy to become an actor. He served as a priest in Beckenham Hill, Gravesend, Battersea Park, and Wandsworth East Hill. In later years he assisted his friend Father Heaphy at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Brixton.

Anthony was a scholar, specialising in the Classics, a musician ( he had a 15 foot organ in his living room ! ), and a loyal supporter of the Old Xaverians. He will be sadly missed.

Colin Garvey

Please read a recent article in tribute to Fr Anthony which has appeared on the John Fisher School website: Fr Anthony Richins RIP

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