Obituary: Father Hugh Clarke O.Carm

It is with sadness but trusting in the tender mercy of God that the British Province of Carmelites announces the death of our brother, Fr Hugh Clarke, O.Carm. on Monday 18 February.

Fr Hugh was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Southwark on 26th May 1945.

Following ordination he served at St John Fisher, Purley, eventually becoming headmaster. In 1967 he was given permission by Archbishop Cowderoy to try his vocation as a Carmelite Friar and he began his noviciate at Aylesford Priory making his profession on 8 September 1968.

As a Carmelite he served in many ministries including Prior of Aylesford, Prior and Headmaster at Whitefriars School, Cheltenham, and Prior and Parish Priest in Aberystwyth.

He was an accomplished writer and retreat director and known as a wise and gentle confessor.

Fr. Hugh was noted for his great devotion to Saint Therese of Lisieux. He had a great gift for friendship which he continued to nourish during his last years as a member of the Carmelite community in East Finchley.

He died peacefully after a short illness in Barnet General Hospital with one of the Carmelite brothers by his side.

The funeral will take place at Aylesford Priory with the reception of remains at 6.30pm on Wednesday 28 February and the Requiem Mass at 11.30am on Thursday 1 March.

May he rest in peace.