Gary Rowlandson

More than 600 people attended the funeral of the Rector of St Leonard's Church, Chesham Bois, the Reverend Gary Rowlandson. Gary died on 21 June after a short illness. The service was led by the Rector of Great Chesham, Revd Roger Salisbury, and there were poignant tributes from the Revds Lionel Osborn and Hugh Palmer.

The Revd Chris Clare, a non-stipendiary minister for St Leonard's described Gary as a ‘gentle giant’.

He was called to the Anglican Ministry in 1982 and trained at Oak Hill Theological College in Southgate. He served his first curacy at St James' Muswell Hill, and moved a few years later, to become vicar at Emmanuel Church, Northwood.

Gary moved to Chesham Bois in 1993  where he became Rector of St Leonard's Church.

In a prepared statement his family said, ’A special interest in marriage and family led to Gary's involvement in both preparing couples for marriage providing support and encouragement to help strengthen the bonds of love and affection.

‘For three years Gary was chairman of the marriage section of the Family Life and Marriage Education Group (FLAME) in Oxford Diocese.

‘Throughout his life he always had a heart for young people and evangelism, and a passion for pointing the way to Jesus.’

Gary leaves his wife Diana, and two sons, Timothy and Andrew.