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| The Very Rev Michael Till obituary | The Very Rev Michael Till obituary |
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| The church was given early notice by my brother-in-law, Michael Till, who was ordained in 1965 and has died aged 77, that he was not a "yes" man. He failed the general ordination exam, not because he couldn't answer the questions, but because he wrote short responses on why they were foolish queries. He did not seek notoriety, nor was he arrogant, as this anecdote might imply. You could not have met a warmer, more lovable and endearing man. He also had a delightful wit. | The church was given early notice by my brother-in-law, Michael Till, who was ordained in 1965 and has died aged 77, that he was not a "yes" man. He failed the general ordination exam, not because he couldn't answer the questions, but because he wrote short responses on why they were foolish queries. He did not seek notoriety, nor was he arrogant, as this anecdote might imply. You could not have met a warmer, more lovable and endearing man. He also had a delightful wit. |
| His CV – dean of King's College, Cambridge, archdeacon of Canterbury under Robert Runcie, dean of Winchester – might qualify him as a grandee, but he related to everyone. Never more so than at King's, where he was regarded with admiration and affection from college staff to provost. He went as chaplain, but was later elected by the fellows as dean. He retained their respect, even after he had successfully blocked their move to introduce admission charges to the chapel. He firmly believed the building should be open to people of all faiths and none. | His CV – dean of King's College, Cambridge, archdeacon of Canterbury under Robert Runcie, dean of Winchester – might qualify him as a grandee, but he related to everyone. Never more so than at King's, where he was regarded with admiration and affection from college staff to provost. He went as chaplain, but was later elected by the fellows as dean. He retained their respect, even after he had successfully blocked their move to introduce admission charges to the chapel. He firmly believed the building should be open to people of all faiths and none. |
| Perhaps his natural affability was inherited from his father, a hotel manager who had run the Grosvenor in London and Metropole in Brighton. Michael was born in Hampstead, north London. His skill as an artist was demonstrated in his first parish as a curate, in St John's Wood, north-west London, where he drew a brilliant frieze in the parish hall for a Christmas dance, with the final vignette showing a group of thinly disguised parishioners dancing round the vicar, who was being boiled in a pot. | Perhaps his natural affability was inherited from his father, a hotel manager who had run the Grosvenor in London and Metropole in Brighton. Michael was born in Hampstead, north London. His skill as an artist was demonstrated in his first parish as a curate, in St John's Wood, north-west London, where he drew a brilliant frieze in the parish hall for a Christmas dance, with the final vignette showing a group of thinly disguised parishioners dancing round the vicar, who was being boiled in a pot. |
| One high point at Canterbury was the enthronement of a new archbishop, George Carey, in 1991. Michael was there, with prelates and grandees of the realm, swathed in glorious vestments. Only he and his family knew that among his folds was a stick pin on which were the words "underneath all this I'm a nudist". | One high point at Canterbury was the enthronement of a new archbishop, George Carey, in 1991. Michael was there, with prelates and grandees of the realm, swathed in glorious vestments. Only he and his family knew that among his folds was a stick pin on which were the words "underneath all this I'm a nudist". |
| On being promoted to Winchester (where he was dean from 1996 to 2005), he walked the whole way from Canterbury by a pilgrim's route with his faithful labrador, Gus. Among other changes there, he was required under new legislation to introduce lay people into the cathedral's administrative bodies, a reform which raised serious reservations from some of the affected clergy. His readiness to listen to all sides helped smooth the transition. | On being promoted to Winchester (where he was dean from 1996 to 2005), he walked the whole way from Canterbury by a pilgrim's route with his faithful labrador, Gus. Among other changes there, he was required under new legislation to introduce lay people into the cathedral's administrative bodies, a reform which raised serious reservations from some of the affected clergy. His readiness to listen to all sides helped smooth the transition. |
| Throughout his church life, he was aided by his faithful and indomitable wife, Tessa Roskill, whom he married in 1965 and who died a few weeks after Michael. He retired from the cathedral in 2005 and moved to Petworth, West Sussex, where there was little let up. For two years he held the fort at two local churches during an interregnum, transforming the rural parish of Egdean. He also chaired Petworth festival. | Throughout his church life, he was aided by his faithful and indomitable wife, Tessa Roskill, whom he married in 1965 and who died a few weeks after Michael. He retired from the cathedral in 2005 and moved to Petworth, West Sussex, where there was little let up. For two years he held the fort at two local churches during an interregnum, transforming the rural parish of Egdean. He also chaired Petworth festival. |
| Retirement meant more time could be spent with his children, Tobias, an artist, and Sophie, a professional violinist, and his four grandchildren, who all survive him. A quote from his retirement address sums up his philosophy: "No one is a triumph and no one is a disaster. We are put together to get on as best we may." | Retirement meant more time could be spent with his children, Tobias, an artist, and Sophie, a professional violinist, and his four grandchildren, who all survive him. A quote from his retirement address sums up his philosophy: "No one is a triumph and no one is a disaster. We are put together to get on as best we may." |
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