The brothers of Guildford were greatly saddened to learn of
the death of Francis after a short illness.
Francis was born 1 April 1937 in Wandsworth, London together
with his twin brother Richard. Francis was raised in Horsham and Pulborough,
West Sussex where he attended Pennthorpe School, and then the Colliers Grammar
School, Horsham. Immediately after school he was called to do national service
serving with the Buffs for 2 years. His talent for languages was spotted and so
he was sent out to Cyprus as an interpreter.
He married Jenny (nee Wolff) on 14 September 1963 at St.
Mary’s Cadogan Street, London, after which they settled in their first home in
Kensington, London. After 2 years they
moved to Bristol for a short period and then to Amersham, Bucks. They moved to
Guildford in 1975 where they settled permanently.
Their marriage was fruitful and blessed with the birth of
five children, there being two sons and three daughters, Michael, Clare,
Catherine, Anna and John. The family
quite naturally grew and following marriages of their children Francis and
Jenny were able to thoroughly enjoy the company of 17 grandchildren.
Francis qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked
initially in that capacity for the
family business Rudolf Wolf in the City, a
Metal and Commodity Broker, becoming MD until he retired in 1994. He continued
to work in retirement investing his time in a combination of consultancy and
charitable work. Francis was a trustee and the Catholic representative of
Premier Christian Radio in the station’s early days.
He was involved with Hosanna House & Children's
Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT), a charity which takes disabled and disadvantaged children
to Lourdes, and in which his family has a long connection over a number of
generations. He was also a governor of a local school St Edwards that catered
for children with special needs.
Francis was a cornerstone of laity support to St Joseph’s
Parish, Guildford where there wasn’t a role that he had not undertaken and
mastered. He was awarded the Bene
Merenti Medal from the Pope in 2012 in recognition of his dedication to the
work of the church and charities.
He was a keen golfer and a member of the Catenian golfing
fraternity. He enjoyed walking and went on many trips through France with close
friends. He also enjoyed visiting family in the UK and abroad.
Francis died peacefully at home on Sunday 27th September
2015 in the presence of his family only 3 months after his wife Jenny passed
away on 6 June 2015. His loving family and his Catenian brothers will sadly
miss both Francis and Jenny.
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| Francis Holford 1937 to 2015 |
