It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Richard John Tonkin, known as John, aged 97, on Saturday 18 July 2026.
John started his curacy here in the Diocese of Leicester in 1960 at the Church of the Martyrs, and after a brief continued curacy in Bath & Wells, went on to be the Vicar at Holy Trinity in Hinckley, St Peters and St Pauls in Oadby and at Holy Apostles.
After he retired in 1993 John supported the work of St Christophers Church, Saffron Lane and held Permission to Officiate from 1994 until 2020 with which he supported a number of Parishes in Leicestershire and the work of those in the Diocese of the Arctic and the Verger Community.
John was the beloved husband of Margaret, who died in December 2024 and father to Ruth, Elizabeth and Andrew.
John’s funeral will take place on Friday 14 August 2026 with a private family crematorium at Great Glen followed by a service at 1pm at the Church of the Martyrs, to which all are welcome.
There will also be a reception at the Duchy Lounge at Wyggestons Almshouse from 2pm.
May John rest in peace and rise in glory.