A correspondent writes:
CANON Maurice Slaughter, who died in Aberdeen on 21 December, aged 92, had been in poor health for some time, but finally deteriorated quickly before Christmas. His wife, Jean, and three daughters were by his bedside during the final days.

Maurice was born and raised in March, Cambridgeshire, where he learned the faith from his devout parents and St John's Church. After studying at March Grammar School, he spent a year living and working with the Church Army in their fenland caravan. Here he learned the importance of evangelism, which stayed with him all his life.

Maurice's vocation to the priesthood was formed at that time, and he entered the Hostel of the Resurrection in 1939, gaining his BA degree from Leeds University in 1942. Two years at Mirfield followed. He was ordained deacon on Trinity Sunday 1944. His ordination training precluded his serving in the forces during the war, a fact that he always regretted.

A few months after his ordination, Maurice married Jean Walker of Pudsey. Jean remained a great influence in his life right to the end. Together, they settled into parishes at Kingswinford (Staffs), and later in Rochester. In 1947, Maurice was appointed Senior Curate of Christ Church, Luton, and they remained there for three happy years. During the curacies, their daughters Julia and Rosamund were born, followed by Marguerite during their Birmingham years.

Maurice spent two years as Vicar of St Margaret's, Ladywood, Birmingham, where he maintained a vigorous Catholic tradition. But a call to Yorkshire soon came, and he moved to St John's, Newsome, in Huddersfield, a low-church parish very different from Ladywood. The family settled happily in Huddersfield, and Maurice built up a reputation as a fiery preacher and popular evangelist, editing an "agony" column in the local newspaper.

In 1960, Maurice moved into Bradford diocese, becoming Vicar of Queensbury, on the heights above Bradford and Halifax. Here his ability to "grow" churches was recognised, and he was soon appointed Vicar of Christ Church, Skipton.

At Skipton, Maurice was back in the sacramental tradition, and, over 15 years, built up a large parish-communion congregation, which in turn spilled over into lively evening worship. He became well known in the town, not least when he took his soap box into the Market Place and preached al fresco. He was inventive and imaginative: "Canon Slaughter blesses the lambs" became a regular headline in the local newspaper. Four curates began their ministries under Maurice's care at Skipton. His three daughters were all married during his long years in this "gateway to the Dales" town parish.

By 1978, Maurice needed a new challenge, and he asked Bishop Ross Hook if he might move to the beautiful but ruinous Priory Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert, Bolton Abbey, a medieval Augustinian priory set in magnificent scenery in Upper Wharfedale. Over the next seven years, Maurice restored the Priory Church, and - more importantly - increased the congregation from a handful to more than 200.

He did this partly by holding on to the Book of Common Prayer liturgy that drew people to the Priory who were missing it in their own parishes. But Maurice always denied that he was an "apostle of the Prayer Book". When challenged, he would say: "I use the Prayer Book to proclaim the gospel: I do not use the gospel to proclaim the Prayer Book." He also attracted enquirers through an imaginative visitor ministry.

His vigorous and much-remembered ministry at Bolton Abbey ended in October 1985, with his retirement. But priesthood for Maurice was a calling for life, and he went on for another 27 years after retirement living out his vocation. He was able to do that because of the total dedication given to him by Jean, who was always at his side, and 100 per cent supportive.

Together, they moved to Ely in 1997 to be closer to family members. In 2004, he was able to celebrate 60 years in holy orders, surrounded by his friends in the Walsingham Cell in Ely Cathedral. He had finally returned to his spiritual roots. At this stage, he was still reciting the monastic office each day, a habit that had begun in Mirfield days.

As increasing frailty began to limit both of them, Maurice and Jean went to spend their final years in Aberdeen, near their two youngest daughters. Here they were cared for physically by the staff of Hawkhill House, and spiritually by the clergy from St Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral, Aberdeen.

Maurice remained in priestly mode to the very end. I went to visit him a few weeks ago. Conscious that I would be unlikely to see him alive again, as I said "Goodbye," I asked him if he would like me to bless him. "No," he said. "I will bless you;" and his frail hand was raised in blessing from the bed.

He is survived by Jean, by his three daughters, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.