Tributes have been paid to a vicar and Honorary Canon of Canterbury Cathedral who “brought joy to all he met”.
Norman Woods, who lived in the city, died on May 8 aged 88 after a career spanning 60 years in churches and parishes around east Kent.
His funeral will be held at the famous monument and is expected to be attended by hundreds.
A dedicated preacher, he practised right up until his final weeks.
The vicar’s early life was spent in Wirral, Merseyside before studying at King’s College in London.
He was ordained in 1964 and served for five years at All Saints Poplar, before moving to St Alban’s in Portsmouth.
Norman then started his devoted post in Kent.
His neighbour and friend Keith Aikin told KentOnline: “From 1976 to 2001 he was Vicar of St Leonard’s Church in Hythe, where he began his very successful ministry to the people of east Kent.
“He threw himself wholeheartedly into a variety of church-related activities in the town including promoting the choir and the Cursillo spiritual movement in the diocese.”
When his much-loved residency ended with retirement in 2001, he moved to Canterbury and was appointed Honorary Canon of the Cathedral, as well as assistant chaplain at King’s School.
Norman was also a regularly visiting preacher at various local parishes, including St Stephens in Canterbury, Blean and Brook near Ashford.
Mr Aikin, friend of 23 years, added: “Norman was a person who brought joy to all the people he encountered in life.
“He believed that an important part of his Christian mission was to organise and lead pilgrimages.”
This took him to places such as Jordan, Turkey and Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Mr Aikin continued: “In his youth, he was a fine cricketer and rugby player, and was a life member of Kent Cricket Club.
“He spent many happy hours watching Kent play and talking to his many friends in the area.
“To his very end, he was a fantastical supporter of Liverpool F.C.”
Canon Woods is survived by his wife Patsy, whom he married in 1965 and was supported by wholeheartedly, his three daughters and his six grandchildren.
The funeral will take place at 2pm on May 29 in Canterbury Cathedral, and all are welcome.
