Barney Grace

Last Friday I led the funeral service of Brenda Grace, wife of Barney who died last year.
May she rest in peace. Keep Joan, her daughter and the rest of the family in your love and prayers.

Fr Sean Murray
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11 September 2009 Barney Grace (RIP) Funeral details are now known and are as follows:

Date: Next Friday - 18 September 2009

At: St Augustine's Church, Matson, Gloucester 1430. Cremation after at Gloucs Crematorium approx 1530

Family Flowers only. Donations can be made to Cancer Research UK. These can be made via: Ernest Cox & Son (Undertakers), 47 Seymour Road, Gloucester, or directly to Cancer Research UK.

Telephone Numbers:

Barney's Home 01452 307690

Joan (Barney's Daughter) 01452 614492

"May Barney Rest in Peace"

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He Will Go Unto The Altar Of God

Bernard "Barney" Grace who has just died in his home in Matson Gloucester, was already an "Old Boy" when I was still a pupil at Salesian School Blaisdon Hall in the 1950s. He was a regular and welcome visitor. At that time Barney was a van boy and would tear up The Drive having made a detour from his rounds. Father George Hilton always made a fuss of him. On Sundays when Barney called he would serve on the altar at the evening Benediction. His devotion to serving Mass and participating in church services both in Blaisdon and St. Peter's Church, Gloucester, was a distinct and distinguishing feature in his life.

I visited Barney, along with many Old Boys, over the August Bank holiday and, fortified with spiritual strength through visits by Fathers Sean and Aidan Murray and the encouragements of his many friends, he rallied while his anxious family, led by his daughter Joan, watched over and nursed him exhaustively.

Propped up and comfortable he recalled the great start in life that Salesian Blaisdon had given him. He told me that he set out in the world of work with farming skills, tailoring and foot repair abilities, brickying, metal and woodwork competence and horticultural knowledge and interests. The latter was evident in his garden which he looked over upon his death-bed. He was proud of the fact that what he learned at Blaisdon (1945-1946) meant he was in the Labour Exchange just once in his life.

There were ups and downs but they were before he met Brenda who was to become his wife and life-long soul-mate. Whenever, he needed a boost in his confidence, Canon Roache was always ready to help. Thanks to this greatly regarded Parish Priest, he got a job as a trainee stone mason at Prinknash Abbey. While there, he renewed a Blaisdon Hall connection with the late Hector O'Shea of fond memory. Barney's farewell words revealed that he was resigned to his terminal condition and relieved that his loving attentive family were near him round the clock. I told him that all the Old Boys who knew him were united in their prayerful concern: he would be remembered always by them and the wider Salesian family who had come to know and love him at countless Blaisdon Re-Unions over many years.

Bernard Grace - 28.12.1929 - 10.9.2009 - Ad Altare Dei - Rest in Peace

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08 October 2009 A tribute by Alastair Bourne in New Zealand by Email

I remember Barney my thougts wil be there on sat.
When this hapens it is like the loss of a family member even though I have not seen so many of them since 1948 I often think of the days at the hall.
Alastair

10 September 2009 I have just received a call from our President, Tony Brady, with the sad news that Barney Grace died peacefully at his home at 6.15pm today. Joan, Barney's daughter, is ringing around letting people know. Please keep Barney in your prayers at this time and also pray for his family and friends at this sad time. I will add news about Barney's funeral here as soon as I get to know it.

04 August 2009 A visit to Barney Grace was made yesterday, 03August 2009, by a group of Blaisdon Old Boys. Charlie Springett, our President, was accompanied by Len Carter, Norman Taylor and John Ward and were warmly welcomed by Barney and his family.

We even sang the Salesian School Song, the Salve Regina and the Regina Ceoli, with Barney joining in the singing very willingly. We also sang For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.

I believe Barney really appreciated our short visit. We met his daughter Joan as she went into work early in order to get to see us at 1430, or thereabouts. Joan heard the 'noise' from outside the house and said Barney will surely sleep well tonight.

Please continue to keep Barney and his family in your thoughts and kind prayers. They know we are praying for them, and this brings them much comfort.

Some Photos of the visit by Blaisdon Old Boys to Barney Grace at his home.

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Dear John,

I went to see Barney two weeks ago when I was covering the weekend masses in his local parish
at St Augustine's, Matson, Gloucester. As you know, he has cancer but he was up sitting in his chair and full of talk.
He even came to his garden gate to see me off. He didn't look well.
On Friday last I had a call from his parish priest, Fr Garry Brassington, saying that Barney had deteriorated and had been give the last sacraments. I have been in touch with Barney for some time and arranged to go to Gloucester today as he wanted to see me.
He was in bed, but we had a great chat for about an hour. He is not in pain, he is on morphine and is lovingly looked after by his wife, Brenda, and his daughter Joan.

Barney doesn't know how things will go, but he is ready whenever it comes.
I am going to Ireland on Wednesday and will be away until 10th August.

Fr Aidan has been to see Barney and keeps in touch with the family.

Please put a note in the Brotherhood asking for prayers.
He would appreciate a ring or a card.

He is a lovely person and a loyal old boy.

Thanks John.

Fr. Sean

Barney's contact data is:

23 Winesly Road, Matson, Gloucs GL4 6NQ

Tel: 01452 614492

Barney and his family will really appreciate hearing from his Blaisdon Hall Old Boy friends.