Cedric Reavley RIP

We are sorry to report the death of Cedric Reavley, one of Burford's best known and best loved residents.

Ruth Reavley has written as follows:

Cedric died peacefully at home surrounded by Lizzie, David and Tia and me, just after midnight this morning, after a precipitous 24 hour decline.  Rob and Henry were also at home.

He had nearly completed the chemotherapy for intestinal lymphoma, discovered through emergency surgery in November last year.  He came home a week ago from ten days in-hospital treatment with IV antibiotics for a nasty gut and blood infection.  On discharge, he was determined to do his utmost to recover, seeing a physio only 48 hours ago for advice and exercises.

Tom Putt, vicar of Burford, has written as follows:

Cedric was a Burford man through and through. He lived here all his life, ran the pharmacy, and worshipped faithfully at the Parish Church. In fact, he served in just about every role—singing in the choir, playing the organ, editing the Parish Magazine, serving on the PCC, and as Churchwarden.

In 2000, Cedric sensed God's call to a new ministry, and he was ordained in 2005. He loved ministering to people—visiting individuals, taking Communion to the housebound, visiting care homes, and supporting families through funerals. Until he became unwell, he was rarely still on a Sunday, usually serving somewhere—either here in the Benefice or further afield across Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

Personally, Cedric was a wise and steady presence to me. He was always supportive, thoughtful, and others-focused, graciously sharing his deep knowledge of both the church and the town. It was a privilege to serve alongside him.