Obituary – Tim Fawcett

Timothy Fawcett Wood, sometime Latin Mass Society Local Representative and Committee member, died on 28 September 2017, surrounded by his family and just after recitation of the Angelus at 6pm. Born in 1952 in London, Tim was the eldest of four siblings and was educated at The Hall Preparatory School in Hampstead, Holland Park Comprehensive School and later went on to study history of art at The University of East Anglia.

With a natural flair for design, a keen interest in architecture and always up for a challenge, he taught himself to build and became highly respected in his field, not only for his technical expertise but also for his unwavering decency, mild-manneredness and encouragement towards those around him – a “gentleman builder”. Alongside his day-to-day work, Tim constructed a beautiful home in the rolling hills of mid-Wales for his growing family. He was received into the Catholic Church on 15 July, 1989, and he and his wife Emma, raised nine children.

Many Mass of Ages readers will have known or crossed paths with Tim; in particular, those who have walked the annual Paris-Chartres pilgrimage – an unmissable event in his annual diary over the course of many years, including following the onset of his illness – will no doubt recall his regular stints at the helm of the English Chapter, proudly and prayerfully bearing the standard of Our Lady of Walsingham. Other regular family pilgrimage destinations, over the years included Lourdes, the annual meeting of the National Association of Catholic Families in Walsingham and Torreciudad when Tim was a Co-operator of Opus Dei. Tim also dedicated many hours to praying outside abortion clinics as part of the 40 days for life campaign, a cause very close to his heart.

Tim assisted at the Traditional Latin Mass in the mid-Wales and Shropshire area for many years and serving the Mass was always a great privilege and joy for him. A Requiem Mass was offered in the presence of his family and many friends on 7 October 2017, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, at St Winefride's in Shrewsbury where Tim had been a parishioner since 2010. Among the mourners were representatives of the Scottish Clan Wood of Largo of which Tim was the hereditary Chief since 2011. At the wake, Emma and their children spoke proudly of a strong and loving husband and father – remembered by so many as a true gentleman and a family man - recalling many treasured memories. No doubt influenced by his devotion to St Joseph, the children notably recalled the impact their father had on their attitude and approach to work, which surely reflected his own: "Whatever you do, do it well and do it for the glory of God”.

Please pray for the repose of Tim’s soul and also for his family. May he rest in peace.

Chris Rayment