The Revd Chris Swift writes:

The Revd Harold Nicholson, who died on 9 November, aged 82, served principally in three parishes and hospital chaplaincy in outer west London. He was a familiar figure in Spelthorne deanery. Having been ordained priest in 1995, he offered cover to most of the parishes over the years of his service; his previous career had been teaching physics at tertiary level.

He and his wife, Cristine, who survives him, gave many years of service to the church in Sunbury-on-Thames, where Cristine continues to serve as a Lay Minister. It was sad that he missed the ordination to the diaconate of his son, Timothy, in St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane, on 2 December.

Harold was a priest of gentle but deep faith, whose ministry was profoundly integrated with his own humanity. He ministered to people very much by being the man he was, and was known above all else and with tremendous affection as “Harold”. This was in no sense an unconsidered approach.

Coming across the words attributed to St Francis at the time of his death, “I have done what was mine to do; may Christ teach you what you are to do,” Harold expressed his utter delight at their sentiment. Harold was a human being fully alive in Christ, and through his life and ministry God was glimpsed by many people.