Rev Fr Peter Coleman came into our lives in the late 60s/early 70s, serving as curate at St George’s Church, York. He came at a difficult time for us as we had just lost one of our brothers at a tender age of 14 years to leukaemia.

Through Peter’s interpretation of the Gospels and his down-to-earth approach, Peter kept us all sane and was a tower of strength for us all. He married the four elder children in our family all in the same year. My mother and father were devastated by the loss of their son, Michael, but Peter had a sense of humour that even touched my Dad, even in those difficult times.

Peter loved the Big Bands and Jazz music and very often after 6.30 pm Mass on Sunday, he would take us to The Wakefield Theatre Club to see, hear and experience the sound of such bands as Duke Ellington. This has left us with very happy memories of those times. Though Peter was not with us too long at St George’s, he left us with a lasting impression on all the Carrigan family, which we are grateful for and will stay with us forever.

Though he has left this earth, he will always be in our hearts and prayers.

Joan and Peter O'Reilly (nee Carrigan), York