Memorial Service Bill Sykes
Over 500 people gathered on Friday 26th June at a memorial service in University Church, Oxford to celebrate the life and lasting legacy of Revd. William Sykes, College Chaplain from 1978-2005 and Emeritus Fellow.
The Revd. Canon Brian Mountford听of the University Church gave the introduction, and听Dr Steven Parissien听(1978, History) and听Dr Leslie Mitchell, Emeritus Fellow, delivered the Addresses.听Dr Sarah Smith听(1981, History) gave a reading of听Psalm 121, and听The Master听read a reflection by F. Buechner from Bill’s听Visions of Glory.
Music for the service included a Fantasia commissioned in Bill’s honour by the Adamson family: 鈥淚 will lift up mine eyes unto the hills.鈥� by Malcolm Archer, and ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’ by John Rutter, sung by present and former members of the Univ Chapel Choir, conducted by Director of Music听Giles Underwood. Organist was听Thierry Hirsch听(2011, Classics), Univ organ scholar. The service opened with听Toccata and Fugue in D Minor ‘Dorian’听by J.S. Bach and the hymn听Dear Lord and Father of mankind. The final hymn was听Guide me, O thou great Redeemer听and the service closed with J.S. Bach’s听Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor.
Guests then gathered in the Master’s Garden after the service for refreshments.
The Reverend William Sykes Memorial Fund
The College has established听to continue Bill鈥檚 legacy by providing perpetual funds in support of two of Bill鈥檚 passions: the Chapel Choir and College sport.
Published: 30 June 2015
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