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THE Vicar of St John’s Church, Carlton, the Revd Fr. Anthony Michael Luckcuck died last week (Friday 9th September 2011) in hospital after a short illness. Tony (63), who was married to Tricia, leaves three children, Nicholas, Timothy & Philippa The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt. Revd Paul Butler said: “Tony Luckcuck was a much loved parish priest who cared deeply for the people of the church and community in Carlton. Tony loved to talk, to teach, and to encourage. He had a passion for justice for all. His sudden brain haemorrhage and subsequent death has saddened us all. Our thought Tony had served as a priest in various parishes across Nottinghamshire for the past 33 years, starting out in Mansfield Woodhouse as a curate. He then served in Beeston before becoming Vicar of Harworth in 1982. He was appointed as Vicar of St John’s Carlton in 1985. Tony graduated with a BA from London University in 1970 and studied theology at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford and Lincoln Theological College before being ordained into the Church of England in 1977. Tony arrived at St John’s Carlton in 1985 with his wife Tricia and their two young boys – their daughter was born some months later. During his time at St John’s he oversaw some significant schemes, including the re-ordering of the church. Tony’s vision was for everyday life to be part of the church. In converting the church into a multi-purpose building, he insisted on a glass divide between the Narthex and the altar so that anyone using the building would be able to see the crucifix hanging above the altar, showing that Christ is part of daily life. Some years later the Church’s crumbling Tower cross was replaced with a stainless steel one and flood lighting was installed. In 2008 Tony co-ordinated the church’s 50th anniversary celebrations, when the church was open with displays of gifts and memorabilia from around the world. Tony personally archived photographs charting the church’s history and created a CD with his own commentary about the anniversary. An intelligent and talented clergyman, Tony was described as ‘a walking encyclopaedia’, with a love of computers and gadgets. St John’s was one of the first churches in the diocese to launch a website, which Tony had set up and managed. He was known among friends and colleagues for his scurrilous writing and spoof magazines which was a source of great entertainment. He was also very involved with Scouts and took over running the Scouts when he arrived at St John’s to save it from closing. In his spare time he was a narrow boat enthusiast and was in the process of re-building an old narrow boat. Reader at the Church, Jane Cook said: “Tony was a very talented person, with a fantastic sense of humour - a wonderful poet and painter, he loved music, but most of all he was the sort of person who you could go to and ask him anything. He was someone who would be there for others, whether visiting people in hospital or around the parish. He was ‘the rock’ of the church, a gentle caring and loving person. We will miss him so much.” The whole family of the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham give thanks for his life and ministry. Funeral arrangements are as follows: There will be a Requiem Mass for Tony on Tuesday 20th September at 2.30pm.
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s and prayers are particularly with his wife Tricia and his children Nicholas, Timothy & Philippa.”