The Archdeacon of Cambridge writes:

THE Ven. Jim Rone, who died on 26 January, aged 78, came to Ely diocese in 1982, from a title curacy in Oxford diocese, having had a career in finance before ordination. His first post in Ely was as Priest-in-Charge of the parishes of Fordham, and, a little later, Kennett.

In 1989, he left to become a Canon Residentiary at the cathedral, and in due course, Canon Treasurer, before his appointment as Archdeacon of Wisbech in 1995.

One of his many areas of service was as Bishop's Adviser for Hospital Chaplaincy, but he also provided invaluable financial guidance and support to the finance committee and its associated committees. He served on numerous other diocesan committees, and was well-known in Cambridgeshire and west Norfolk as a kind and attentive pastor to laity and clergy alike.

On his retirement in 2002, he maintained his links both with Ely and the diocese, as his wife, Mary, continued her work in the diocesan office; and he had a particular care for the liturgical life and pastoral care of Bishop Woodford Retreat House over the years.

He loved the diocese of Ely, its people, and its cathedral, and, at a time of upheaval in the Church of England and its parishes, he remained open to the need for a more realistic approach to mission, while being skilled and gracious in managing change.

As a priest with strong affiliations to the Anglo-Catholic tradition in the Church of England, he was meticulous, and yet unfussy, deeply devotional and disciplined, and, above all, faithful to his Lord, particularly at times when long-term illness made his life more than a little difficult. Supported by his beloved Mary, he loved life and the giving of himself to other people, and he was an encourager, a priest who sought to bring out the best in others, often in times of conflict and change. He made a distinguished and kind-hearted contribution to the life of the diocese.

In retirement, he loved to watch cricket and rugby, and to be part of the wider Ely community.