Rev John Suddards: mourners pay tribute to murdered vicar Speaking ahead of the service, The Venerable Geoffrey Sidaway, Archdeacon of Gloucester, paid tribute to Mr Suddards. "It's seven weeks of course since these communities were rocked by the tragic death of their parish priest," he said. Today we have brought John back here to the church he loved and served for a funeral Eucharist led by the Bishop of Gloucester. There will be friends here from his parish in the Diocese of Chelmsford, from Gloucestershire and further afield. A great celebration of John's life and Ministry and of Easter faith and hope. The Archdeacon said that since Mr Suddards's death, the town had come together to support each other. "There has been some terrific work done here by church and community both with individuals and the community itself," he said. Then of course this service today and in about three weeks time the vicarage, up to this point has been a crime scene, will be having a service of prayer and blessing to open up the vicarage again. Hopefully in the summer we'll move to appoint a new priest to Thornbury. The Archdeacon paid tribute to Mr Suddards, describing how the vicar used to light a lamp each night to signal to parishioners that he was there for them if they needed him. He said: "We now know that made him very vulnerable. John was a lovely man, he was a kind man, a generous man. He was also a very gifted man, a very able man and had a great sense of humour. A private cremation is due to take place in Dorset, where Mr Suddards's sister Hilary Bosworth and her family live. Earlier this month Mrs Bosworth, said it was fitting for the funeral to be held in St Mary's, just a short distance from the vicarage. She said: "He had been made most welcome to Thornbury by the clergy, the school and the whole community. He was my only sibling, a dear brother, and much-loved uncle to my three children. We miss his warm smile, his wisdom and his wicked sense of humour. She said he would be greatly missed but the family had been heartened by the many tributes paid to her brother. During the service, Phil Bosworth, Mr Suddards's brother-in-law, read a tribute that was written by his wife Hilary. "As John's family we have great memories of John," Mr Bosworth told mourners. Just last Christmas Day he was very happy to sit with a large glass of red wine having enjoyed a good dinner and chuckling at Absolutely Fabulous on TV. His visits to us in Dorset were always a 'getaway from it all' time and he enjoyed walking the dog on the beach or taking Hilary and the children on tours of the countryside with a pub lunch on the way. Frequently these trips would happen to deviate by an interesting old church or priory and much to the children's pleasure often ended with an ice cream and some sweets. Mr Bosworth added: "Uncle John was great fun and much loved by Hannah, Vicky and Simon. He was fascinated to watch our children growing into adulthood and always wanted to know their plans and career moves. He was especially looking forward to marrying Hannah and John at their wedding in Dorset in September. It seemed right that his funeral should be here at St Mary's at this beautiful church, of which John was so proud, and for which he had such great plans. He would be so touched to see so many people here today; family, old and new friends, godchildren, parishioners, colleagues and fellow clergy. His loss is keenly felt and he is much missed. Mourners sang the hymns I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended and Thine Be The Glory, Risen, Conquering Son, and received Holy Communion. Mr Suddards had only taken up his post last July, having come from the Diocese of Chelmsford in Essex. The former barrister moved to the area after serving at St Nicolas Church in Witham, since 2001 and before that at Great Yeldham parish, 20 miles away. Stephen Farrow, 47, has been charged with the murder of Mr Suddards and also that of retired teacher Betty Yates, 77, in Bewdley, Worcestershire. Farrow was arrested on February 19 in Folkestone, Kent, following a tip-off from the public after police launched a nationwide manhunt. Mrs Yates was found dead at the bottom of the stairs at her home on the banks of the River Severn on January 4, having been killed two days earlier.