Tributes pour in to Nacton-born Reverend David Mathers

Those who knew him will remember the Reverend David Mathers as “a true friend”.

Whether here in Suffolk or five thousand miles away in Brazil, David embodied the role of parish priest, taking the time to get to know his parishioners and ensuring they knew that he was always there for them.

David was born in Bournemouth on February 2, 1943, the second child of Kathleen and Pat Mathers.

The Second World War continued to rage, and Pat had entered the forces in 1942 as a chaplain (Squadron Leader) in the RAF volunteer reserves.

Pat’s father, too, had been a vicar, and so when David became a clergyman years later, he was very much entering the family vocation.

David as a child, pictured standing between his parents, Pat and Kathleen. Image: Family of David Mathers (Image: Family of David Mathers)David pictured with his family: His father, Pat, stands to the left, and his grandfather stands behind him. Both were vicars, and David would soon follow in their footsteps. Image: Family of David Mathers (Image: Family of David Mathers)

In the summer of 1949, David moved to Suffolk with his parents and elder sister, Catherine.

Pat had become the Rector of Nacton and Levington, and many of David’s early childhood memories took place in the wild countryside between the villages.

Many happy days were spent playing with his best friend, Mike Nunn.

Occasional rainy days would find the boys producing Pelham Puppet plays or using the bedroom gas fire as a Bunsen burner and conducting ‘experiments’ with David’s chemistry set, but most of the time, they could be found playing in each other’s gardens or the surrounding woods.

David studied first at Amberfield School, and then at Orwell Park School, just a stone’s throw away from his home.

David soon discovered that by walking northwards through the woods at the rear of the school, he would come to a nine-foot wall, below which was the Rectory front garden. David found that if he sat on the wall long enough, someone was likely to come out of the front door and he could replenish his supply of tuck.

In 1958, the family left Suffolk for Swanbourne in Buckinghamshire. By this time, David was studying at St John’s in Leatherhead.

The chair of governors was Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, who had risen to fame as one of the most pivotal commanders of World War II.

As head boy and school captain, David got to know the Field Marshal, who kindly offered to write him a reference should he ever need one.

When David applied for a teaching role during his gap year, the headmaster was impressed to see his reference signed with Montgomery’s name.

David enjoyed his gap year, which found him teaching rugby to Bill Beaumont at Cressbrook House school in Cumbria, who was to become one of England’s most successful captains.

In 1962, he was ready to take up his place at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, studying theology.

While he was a student, David met Lynda, his future wife. 

The pair were volunteering at a children’s seaside mission at Frinton, which was where David’s own parents had met, more than 30 years ago.

David and Lynda on their wedding day in 1966. Image: Family of David Mathers (Image: Family of David Mathers)

David and Lynda tied the knot in 1966. By this time, David had finished university and qualified as a curate.

The couple welcomed the first of their four children, Alison, in 1967, and their second, Jonathan, in 1969.

By 1973, the family had returned to Suffolk, where David became the vicar of Bures.

However, in 1980, the family embarked on an adventure to Sao Paulo, Brazil. David had accepted a role as Rector of an English-speaking church.

This was, said David’s son, Jonathan, an incredible experience for the whole family, spending the next two years in the sun, soaking up the Brazilian culture and meeting other expats.

David and Lynda Mathers were married for almost 58 years. Image: Family of David Mathers (Image: Family of David Mathers)Those who knew him say that David embodied the role of parish priest. Image: Family of David Mathers (Image: Family of David Mathers)David was, said his son, Jonathan, incredibly kind, generous and patient. Image: Family of David Mathers (Image: Family of David Mathers)

In 1982, they were ready to return to life in Suffolk, where David became the Rector of Old Newton (Stowmarket), Stowupland and Gipping.

It was here that David’s younger children were born, with Andrew arriving in 1982 and Ben completing the family in 1985.

Back home in England, many got to know David as their local parish priest. This was a role which David took seriously, explained Jonathan, and he took care to ensure that his parishioners knew that his door was always open.

“He was tremendously kind, patient and generous,” Jonathan said. “He was interested in other people, and took the time to find out what made people tick.”

Indeed, since his death, Lynda has received around 100 cards from those who knew him, all remembering David as a true friend.

David and Lynda moved to Thurston in 1990, where David was vicar until 2011.

David and Lynda Mathers, surrounded by their 14 grandchildren. Image: Family of David Mathers (Image: Family of David Mathers)

Not ready to give up preaching just yet, he and Lynda relocated to Sussex where David undertook a ‘house for duty’, living in a vicarage in Laughton and conducting services in three local parishes.

Aged 74, David finally retired and returned to Thurston with Lynda, although he continued to preach right up until the end of his life. He and Lynda enjoyed seeing as much of their 14 grandchildren as possible.

The Reverend David Mathers died after a short illness on January 30, aged 80.