OBITUARY
Wisdom and encouragement John Macrory remembers Damien Ashby
F
I knew Damien for some 47 years; he had a remarkable capacity for making and keeping very good friends. He was also very much a fellow of robust opinion on those subjects that were dear to him, in particular the Old Rite Mass, and the Irish nationalist cause (born in London in 1940 he was proud of his Irish heritage). We had many lively discussions on the latter subject, usually over a pint – or several - of Fuller’s London Pride, his favourite brew. On the subject of the Latin Mass, however, I (born a Presbyterian, now an Anglican) had little to contribute, whereas he always had a great deal to say. Thus it was that I would accompany him to Westminster Cathedral twice a year for the LMS Masses held there (I happen to be very fond of solemn ritual and sacred music, so I didn’t need much persuading). After each Mass, we would repair to The Cardinal (as it was before it was renamed, much to Damien’s disgust), and there I would be lectured - at some length, and without the possibility of interruption – on the glories of Catholicism and the iniquities of Protestantism. The other remarkable thing about Damien is that on the most trivial, unimportant, and insignificant, aspects of life, he could be a right old fusspot – and that’s one of the many reasons why we loved him. But on important matters, not least when one had a problem of one’s own to discuss, it was a quite different story. Sit him down, put a pipe in his mouth, and a pint of Pride in front of him, and the words of wisdom and encouragement would calmly flow. I know I am not the only one of his many good friends to have found that; he will leave a great hole in my life, and in that of so many others. Inspired by his memory, I have myself just joined the LMS and hope to attend future masses. I’m still quite unable to come to terms with his sudden passing. God bless you, Damien. Requiescat in pace.
© Henry Law
rancis Patrick Damien Ashby died in his sleep on Friday 16 June, after having been in some pain for a time; the coroner’s verdict was cardiac arrest. His funeral took place at Damien’s church: St Mary Magdalen in Brighton, on Friday 14 July, celebrated by Fr Raymond Blake in accordance with the directions given in his Will which were: ‘I wish to be buried in Brighton and that my Requiem Mass and all other liturgy be celebrated according to the Missale Romanum of 1962 as permitted by the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum.’ Damien had strong Catholic beliefs and, so far as I am aware, was a member of the Latin Mass Society (LMS) from a young age (as was his father, Mr Charles Ashby, before him). He was latterly Secretary of the LMS and one of its strongest proponents.
Damien, engaged in that which was dear to him, serving Holy Mass
12
AUTUMN 2017
