The Town Says Goodbye to a ‘Guildfordian Through and Through’

Published on: 25 Mar, 2019
Updated on: 26 Mar, 2019

Around 200 mourners attended the funeral today of Hon Alderman Bernard Parke at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford High Street.

At the request of Bernard Parke’s family, the funeral was not a full civic service and the mayor, Cllr Mike Parsons, freemen, aldermen and councillors were not attired in their council gowns.

The congregation heard a eulogy written by Dragon NEWS contributor David Rose who co-authored several local history books with Bernard, and read by Richard Hemingway. It commenced by describing the alderman as a “Guildfordian through and through”.

The service conducted by the Revd Robert Cotton, included the hymns God is our strength and refuge, sung to the Dambusters theme reflecting Bernard’s national service with the RAF, Jerusalem and Thine be the glory.

The funeral service at Holy Trinity church commences.

Revd Cotton singled out the photo printed at the back of the order of service of Bernard with his grandchildren. He said it was a great photo that showed Bernard as a proud grandfather in a family setting with hints of the fun and family affection he would have enjoyed.

The photo of Bernard Parke with his grandchildren singled out by the Revd Robert Cotton.

Afterwards, a reception was held in the neighbouring Trinity Centre. A private family burial service was due to be held later in the afternoon.

Bernard Parke is survived by his wife Pam and children Richard and Sarah.

See also: Obituary: Alderman Bernard Parke, Hon Alderman Bernard Parke Dies – MP Pays Tribute and other related articles here.

Responses to The Town Says Goodbye to a ‘Guildfordian Through and Through’

Fiona White Reply

March 26, 2019 at 9:32 am

The service to honour Bernard’s life and service was beautiful. I learned so much about his life when I heard the eulogy written by David Rose and read by Richard Hemingway.

I will miss Bernard’s phone calls to tell me about something happening in Guildford and his mischievous comments. There are many more people and organisations who will miss him as well.
Bibhas Neogi Reply

March 27, 2019 at 10:03 am

The service to honour Bernard Parke’s life was indeed beautiful. My wife and I learned a lot about various aspects of his life.

I had a few exchanges in The Guildford Dragon NEWS about congestion problems in Guildford and Bernard’s telephone calls from time to time to further discuss the solutions.

We will miss Bernard’s valuable comments on improving many issues in Guildford and in particular his conviction about stopping through traffic by bringing in congestion charges.

We are both followers of The Baha’i Faith and we were pleasantly surprised when the eulogy mentioned that Bernard, in addition to attending churches, had visited Synagogues and the Baha’is as well. Bernard will be missed by many who followed his active life and interests.
Ben Paton Reply

March 27, 2019 at 12:51 pm

Bernard was a man of the people and he cared. I say that because despite the fact that I never met him he managed to find my email address and to write to me on many occasions. He even telephoned me on a few occasions. That’s what they call “reaching out”.