Worthing Gazette 30th October 1912
Held in High Regard. Late Rev. J.O Parr. Large and Representative Gathering at The Funeral.
The great respect is which the late Rev. John Owen Parr was held was abundantly testified to on Friday, when the remains of the deceased gentleman were interred at Heene Cemetery. The cortege left the residence of the deceased in Cambridge Terrace, Marine Parade, just before half-past two o'clock, and a large number of people assembled in the neighbourhood to witness the departure. The procession went by way of The Parade, West Buildings, and Crescent Road to Holy Trinity Church, where again there was a large concourse of people awaiting its arrival; whilst inside the building most of the seating accommodation was taken up by members of all classes.
The Service - The body of the deceased was met at the door by the Vicar of the parish (the Rev. C.J. Hollis), the Rector of Broadwater (the Rev E.J. Elliott), and the Curates of Holy Trinity (the Revs. G.W. Boothroyd, and W. Fenn).
The hymn, "On the Resurrection Morning," was sung after the body had been borne to the chancel,, ad this was followed by the singing of the nineteenth Psalm by the Choir, after which the lesson, from the fifteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians, commencing "Now is Christ risen from the dead," was read by the Rev. W.R. Mills (of Liphook).
The other part of the service was conducted by the Vicar, and after the hymns, "Now the Labourer's Task is O'er" had been sung, the Organist (Mr C. Spratley) played "O Rest in the Lord" as the body was being taken out of the Church to be committed to its last resting place.
Preceding it down the aisle were Bishop Royston, the Rector of Broadwater (the Rev. E.J. Elliott), the Rev. G.W. Boothroyd, the Rev. W. Fenn, the Vicar of Holy Trinity (the Rev. C.J. Hollis), and the Rev. W.R. Mills.
A Representative Assembly - After the coffin came the immediate relatives, these including Major Parr (nephew), Dr. Clarke (brother-in-law), Dr. Murray (cousin), Mr Stanley Pott (nephew), and the Misses Beatrice, Lilian, Catherine, Emily and Eleanor Parr (nieces of the deceased), and the servants at 42 Marine Parade.
Immediately behind were His Worship the Mayor (Alderman E.C. Patching, J.P.), the Mayor-Designate (Alderman Robert Piper), the Town Clerk (Mr. W. Verrall), Alderman G. Ewen Smith (Chairman of the Education Committee), Alderman F.C. Linfield. J.P., Alderman W. Walter, Councillors G. Baker, L.W. Burnand, C.C. Cook, Ellen Chapman, R. Chignell, H.T. Duffield, J. Grevatt, T. Gray, C. Lacey, G.C. Parsons, W. Sams, J.P., W.G. Tree, C. Taylor, and J.F. Whyte; Mr F.H. Norman, Mrs Writght, and Mr E.A. Sparkes (Assistant Clerk to the Education Committee).
The Hospital Management Committee was represented by Dr. F. Hinds, Dr. H. Leeds Harrison, Mr Robert W. Charles, Mr F. Martin, Mr J.E. Saunders, Mr W.S. Simpson, Mr F. Stevens, I.S.O., Mr F. Wallace Wink, and Mr H.R.P. Wyatt, J.P., Dr H.F. Hyde (a member of the Honorary Medical Staff of the Hospital) and the Matron (Miss Burford) were also present. Mr A. Buckland Dixon represented the Provident and Relief Society, with which the deceased was prominently identified, and the general congregation included Admiral Keppel, Messrs. E.G. Amphlett, J.P., C.I. Bentall, J. Barns, R.R. Wentworth Hyde, R.J. Larcombe, R. Parkinsonson, W.A. Taylor, F.B. Tilt, and A. Woolgar, and the Revs. W.B. Ferris (who attended in a bath chair), G.H. Mallett (Broadwater), and H.C. Burrowes, Canon Harvey, J.P. Boswell, and E.J. Cunningham.
At the Graveside - The interment took place at Heene Cemetery, and on arrival there the Rev. J.P. Fallowes (the Rector) headed the procession, and conducted the last rites.
The scholars of Davison School, with which the deceased had been closely identified for so many years, were lined up on either side of the path leading to the graveside, in charge of the Teachers.
There was a very large number of people within the Cemetery, and after Bishop Royston had pronounced the final prayer, and the relatives had taken a last farewell, they filed past the graveside to pay a last tribute of respect. The inscription they saw on the coffin which was of polished oak, was as follows: John Owen Parr, M.A., Oxon., Died 22nd October 1912. Aged 87 years.
A Notable Floral Tribute - There was a large number of floral tributes sent, and amongst them some striking specimens. The most noticeable was, perhaps, one which took the form of a crown, and which was composed of white chrysanthemums, and was sent by the Teachers and Scholars of Davison School, with the inscription, "In loving memory of his School"
Other tributes, which bore suitable inscriptions, were from the following: Mrs Arthur Parr; Misses Parr (Tischfield); Misses Parr (Bickley); Admiral and Mrs Chase Parr (Folkestone); Major Parr; Mr C.W.C. Parr; Anthony and Dagmar; Miss Burford (Worthing Hospital); Colonel and Mrs Beale; Mrs Boswell; Committee of the Worthing Hospital; Mrs Duke; Davison School; Mr. and Mrs. Farley; "Flowers from the garden he loved"; Maggie and Violet Geale; Mr. T. Spence-Hawkes and the Misses Hawkes; His late colleagues on the ?? Committee; Dr. Lockwood; Mrs Livesay; The Mayor of Worthing; Miss Gladys Pott; Mr and Mrs R.C. Patching; Mary C Roberts; Servants at 42 Marine Parade; Staff and Girls of the Church High School; Hannah M Vibart; A.H. Jones Williams; Worthing Teachers; Mr and Mrs G.H. Warne.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Patching and Co., under the personal supervision of Mr W. George Patching.