Br Christopher Gorton RIP

 

Br Christopher Gorton, the senior member of our province, passed away peacefully at 10am on 31st January 2009, the Feast of Saint John Bosco, in the Willows nursing home, Manchester. He had celebrated his 100th birthday last

year and was in the 75th year of his religious profession.

Bro Chris at 100

Fr Tony Bailey and Fr Bob Coupe were with him and were reciting the fifth Glorious mystery of the Rosary when he breathed his last.

Brother Chris was born in Great Harwood, Lancashire, on 15th June 1908, six years before the start of WW1. He made his novitiate in Cowley and was professed as a Salesian Brother in 1934. For fifty years he served the province as a

tailor in Shrigley, Blaisdon, Battersea and Malta. He could turn his hand to suits, cassocks, brilliant theatrical costumes, and all the day to day repairs and adjustments needed by Salesians and youngsters alike. Shining through

everything were his deep piety, ready smile and impish sense of humour.

On his retirement he became one of the founder members of the St Joseph's community for older Salesians in Bolton and he stayed there until his move to a nursing home in 2005. He held the record for the oldest ever member of the

Great Britain province.

May he rest in peace!