The Church of Ireland
Diocesan Press Release

Canon Horace Gordon Watts, who died on July 8 2001, lived and served through a time of enormous change in the life of the Church of Ireland.

He began his ministry in Tralee, where he served his Curacy under Archdeacon Maxwell. From there he moved into the Cork Diocese, being appointed Rector of Coolekelure and then served in Drimoleague with Caheragh, Fanlobbus Union and, ultimately, Douglas Union of Parishes where he worked until his retirement in 1988.This covered a period of forty five years, from 1943 to 1988.

He held Canonries of both St Fin Barre's Cathedral and St Colman's Cathedral, Cloyne, until his retirement.

Throughout his work in the Diocese Canon Watts was an example in the Pastoral care of his flocks and with his practical expertise contributed much to the local communities where he served.

He achieved high office in the Church, serving as Diocesan Hon. Secretary and Diocesan Council Secretary for many years. He was also on the Board of Education and Board of Mission and acted as a Trustee for Educational Funds for Grants to Students at Second and Third Level Education, whilst also being a Member of the Board of Management of Bandon Grammar School. His knowledge of West Cork in particular was immense and widely used in this respect.

In times of change he witnessed the Publication of the Irish Church Hymnal in 1959; the Sparsely Populated Areas Commission in the late fifties; The Administration Report in 1967; the various experimental Services of the Church in the seventies, culminating in the formulation and publication of The Alternate Prayer Book in 1984. All these changes he took in his stride, and moved on with the challenge that such changes brought.

In the Diocesan setting, he was a co-organiser with Canon Skuse of the many outings that took parishioners to many places in these islands.

He possessed the gift of music, being well accomplished on the Organ and helped with Diocesan Choral Festivals.

He will long be remembered for his faithful Ministry in the Diocese of his birth.

Canon George Salter