It is with great sadness that the Diocese in Europe announces the death of a former Dean of Gibraltar. The Very Revd Dr John Paddock died suddenly on Monday 5 June at his home in Faversham, Kent. He served as Dean of Gibraltar and thus the senior priest of the diocese, from 2008 to 2017 when he retired from active ministry.  

Following ordination in 1981 and a curacy at St Katharine's Matson he was a chaplain at the Lancaster Royal Grammar School and then with the RAF. He then held further school chaplaincies at St Olave's Grammar School, Orpington, and Royal Russell School, Croydon. From 1997 to 2000 he was the vicar of St Peter's Folkestone

As the Dean, he played a significant role in the Cathedral Chapter, welcoming a wide range of clergy men and women, to their stalls. He firmly believed that the life of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity should be centred on the best of the liturgical tradition of the Church of England. Dr Paddock was a priest of in the catholic tradition of the Church of England. Although he was not himself comfortable with the decision of the Church to permit the ordination of women as priests and bishops, he was nevertheless someone who related on a personal level very warmly to women in holy orders, particularly in this diocese.  His charm and gentle humour made him a friend of so many, of all Church traditions.

Fr John was a fluent Spanish speaker and loved all things Hispanic. He was a scholar of the Spanish mystics and enjoyed keeping the examples and teaching of St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross before us in his teaching and preaching. As a former chaplain in the RAF, he developed the skill of befriending people from all walks of life and backgrounds, which served him well in the diverse community of Gibraltar. At synod meetings he contributed both to the serious debates of the day, as well as to the convivial gatherings where his dry wit endeared him to so many. 

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer.