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This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 29 June 2021. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
1937 - 2021
The death has been announced of the former Chair of the Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance, Sidney Brian Newey.
He died peacefully in the John Radcliffe Hospital on Sunday 13 June after a short illness.
The funeral service will be led by the Revd Canon Sue Booys at 2.15pm on Friday 25 June. All are welcome to join the service online.
Order of Service for the funeral of Sidney Brian Newey Join the service online Brian was Chair of the ODBF for 12 years and stepped down in 2014.
Speaking at the time of his retirement, he said of his role,
"One of the highlights of my time as Chair were the people I met across the diocese and their support and encouragement, especially when asking for people to donate a lot of money!"
Brian began his career working in the rail industry as a management trainee in 1960 and worked as a station master in London and a divisional manager in Birmingham. "It was a really lovely career.
It brought together a lot of communicating and financial and project management skills and that really helped later on in life when working alongside professionals in the diocese. "Brian was also a licensed lay minister at St Laurence's , Warborough, where he worshipped.
He was also a much-valued member of the Finance Committee of the Archbishops' Council and was made a member of the Order of St Frideswide in 2012. Speaking of his death, Rosemary Pearce, diocesan secretary during Brian's tenure, said,
"Brian was above all a man of faith. He sought to serve his Lord, His people and the wider community in all that he did. That faith showed itself in every aspect of his life.
"He was a man of great integrity, and while treasurers might sometimes not agree with him, they knew that he was totally straightforward and that his word could be trusted.
Brian went to enormous lengths to try to explain the complexities of diocesan finance in ways that were clear and that everyone could understand. That commitment to transparency engendered confidence and strengthened relationships.
Brian was 'full of grace and wisdom'. His contribution to the church was considerable."
The Rt Revd Olivia Graham, Bishop of Reading, who worked closely with him, said,"Brian was a wise, gentle, dedicated and generous man, and we are deeply saddened to hear of his death."
The Revd John Tattersall, LVO, who succeeded Brian, said,"I succeeded Brian as DBF Chair in late 2013; he left diocesan finances in very good shape and that made for a very smooth transition. He made a great contribution to Oxford Diocese."