A correspondent writes:
THE Revd Clive Smith was much loved by his family, friends, and indeed anyone who encountered him. He lived a life of devoted service to God and the most vulnerable in society, often working in environments that others shied away from.
Clive was born in Portsmouth in July 1950. His father, Ernest, had served with the Royal Navy in the Second World War. Soon after Clive’s birth, the family moved to Southwark, where Ernest took up a post as a school keeper.
It was between school — St Olave’s Grammar School for Boys — and university that Clive’s vocation to the priesthood developed. He changed his intended course of economics and history to history and theology at Leeds University. It was here that he developed his faith and met Alison, whom he married in 1974. After university, Clive gained the postgraduate certificate in education at Christ’s College, Liverpool, and moved to Essex to teach religious education at the Coopers’ Company and Coburn School, in Upminster.
After a couple of years, Clive left to study at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield. He was ordained deacon in 1977. He served his title in Bedford, moving to Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, in 1981. Three years later, the family — now including sons Jonathan and Timothy — moved to Watford, as Clive became Vicar of St Peter’s.
His next post was perhaps where Clive found his real calling. In 1989, he became Chaplain of Leavesden Hospital, a large Victorian asylum that looked after adults with learning difficulties, and was also Chaplain of Cell Barnes Hospital, near St Albans. Clive showed real devotion and compassion to the residents and staff of both hospitals. He was determined to ensure that everyone had the opportunity to lead their very best lives; he was a source of comfort and support to many.
After the introduction of community care, Clive served as trust chaplain of St Albans and Hemel Hempstead NHS Trust (now part of West Hertfordshire Trust) from 1994 to 2001. During this time, he also gained a postgraduate diploma in healthcare ethics from King’s College, London. There then followed a big move to Yorkshire and a new challenge as senior chaplain of Doncaster Royal Infirmary, a position he held until his retirement in 2014. Clive also managed to obtain an MA in healthcare chaplaincy from the University of Leeds.
After his retirement, Clive’s public service continued. He became a part-time chaplain for HM Prison Moorland and then HM Prison Lindholme. Whether working in hospitals or prisons, or for charities, Clive was at his best when he was supporting those often forgotten or marginalised by society.
He was a kind, compassionate and humble man, who led a life of dedicated service to his family, charitable organisations, his work, and, ultimately, God.
The Revd Clive Leslie Smith died on 11 September, aged 74.