The Revd Ian Hutchings writes:
THE Revd Barry Tomlinson was a faithful, wise, and much-loved man whose ministry was exercised largely in Norfolk. He came from Tunbridge Wells, where the faith that was the bedrock of his life was formed. This was expressed quietly, without fuss — he was a humble man and never one for making a song and dance about things — but was always at the heart of his life and ministry. It found expression as he offered himself for ordination, was accepted for training, and entered Clifton Theological College in 1969. He and Felicity had been married that summer.
He served his title in Pennington, Leigh, with the gentle but wise Canon Bob Smith. Here, Barry and Felicity settled quickly and laid the foundations of their pastoral ministry that bore fruit in the years ahead.
Then came a further calling — to serve with the South American Missionary Society. This led to three years’ working in Santiago, Chile, as Diocesan Treasury Administrator.
On their return, their love of Norfolk and its people began with Barry’s appointment as Vicar of St Mary Magdalene’s, Gorleston. This was coupled with chaplaincy at the James Paget Hospital, where Barry’s Spanish made him in demand as an occasional interpreter.
Then came the move to the Plumsteads, and a more rural ministry. Equally at home on farms and in manor houses, Barry enjoyed rural life, and travelled around the parish in his campervan — with a pair of much-used wellies on board. It was here that he oversaw the building and consecration of a new church, the first in the diocese for many years. He also became Rural Dean of Blofield.
A brief incumbency in Margate was followed by moving to Roughton, a ministry brought to a premature end by illness. Several years of frustrating incapacity followed early retirement and settling in Sheringham. It was a delight to join in the celebration of their ruby wedding, and Barry’s remarkable return to health.
Knowing that he had been healed for a purpose, Barry resumed his ministry in Briningham, until he did finally retire six years ago. Even that was not the end of ministry; for, in St David’s Nursing Home, he continued to offer a Sunday communion service for the residents as long as he was able.
All through this, Barry and Felicity exercised a ministry of faithful love, care, and warm hospitality in those parishes and to their people. They quietly got on with it. That faith, knowing what God had done — and continued to do — was the solid ground beneath every step.
Barry was a mathematician by background, and that qualified him well for the work that was to come in Chile. It also gave him a sharp analytical mind, which he applied to many aspects of his life and work. He was able to see and assess issues with clarity, and to do so without allowing himself to be side-tracked by emotional or peripheral distractions. Here was a gift that he used well throughout his life. He had a dry sense of humour, and was adept at little one-line comments, and a master of understatement. Along with this there was his love of computers — and this helped so much with keeping in touch through the lockdowns and restrictions of the past couple of years.
Not a man to express his feelings openly, he deeply treasured Felicity as a person and their life and ministry together. He always took a delight in the development and achievements of his children, Ruth and Edward, as they grew, and as their lives took their own paths, both in ministry.
Greatly loved and respected as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and parish priest, he loved his vocation as he quietly cared for his family and exercised his ministry. He would probably be surprised at the high regard in which he was held by so many — indeed all of his Norfolk parishes were represented at his funeral — but we who knew him are not.
The Revd Barry Tomlinson died on 11 June, aged 75.
