We have been informed that the former Archdeacon of Worcester, Frank Bentley sadly died on Friday 15 November.
Frank had been in hospital and died of heart failure aged 90.
Frank was ordained in 1958, serving in the Diocese of Bath and Wells before moving to Worcester to become Vicar of St John in Bedwardine Church on the edge of the city in 1976. He served as Area Dean and an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral before he became Archdeacon of Worcester in 1984. He continued to serve in that role until his retirement in 1999. From 1994 he was also Chaplain to HM The Queen.
Frank continued to live in the Diocese after his retirement.
Bishop Martin said: "Frank's reputation in the diocese went before him. I only met him once, but I could see what a gift to the Diocese he had been. He was faithful parish priest and an outstanding archdeacon who dedicated his life to the service of God, the church and all God’s people. May he rest in peace and rise in glory."
Frank's funeral will be held at St John the Baptist Church, Fladbury WR10 2QB on Monday 2 December, 10.30am. The committal will take place as part of the service (there will also be Holy Communion) and there will be no separate service at the crematorium. Family flowers only; donations in Frank's memory are welcomed at and these will go to St John the Baptist Church.
Bishop's Chaplain, Stuart Currie shares his memories of Frank:
"When a large chunk of plaster fell from the ceiling of the church where I was vicar, the architect ordered immediate closure of the building. I called the Archdeacon of Worcester. Almost before I could put the phone down, Frank was there on my doorstep. A quick visit to the church, and it was clear that the whole ceiling was in danger of collapse. ‘Do what you need to do, and leave the legalities and the paperwork to me’, said Frank. By giving us such freedom, Frank enabled us to move quickly without having to worry about faculties and other permissions. He cared about doing things in an orderly fashion, but he cared more about the mission of the church. And, though he made no fuss about this, his rapid response was motivated also by him wanting to make sure that I was OK.
"Frank cared about church buildings, but he cared more about people, a true pastor. He was also a fine preacher, his meticulously crafted sermons evincing his theological rigour, prayerful reflection and ability to show the relevance of Christian faith and scripture to everyday life. In latter years his ever worsening deafness was a frustration for him, but he did not let it hold him back. He served as an active, engaged and committed disciple of the Christ he loved almost to the very end of his life. ‘Happy are the dead who die in the faith of Christ! Henceforth,’ says the Spirit, ‘they may rest from their labours; for they take with them the record of their deeds.’"
The Venerable Frank Bentley's full biography
Frank was born in 1934 in Southwark, London, the younger of two brothers. When war broke out he and John were evacuated to Somerset, later to be joined by their mother. They never went back to Southwark and he grew up in the small village of Norton-sub-Hamdon, near Yeovil.
On leaving Yeovil School, Frank carried out National Service. He enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment, before transferring to the Army Education Corps (later Royal A.E.C.). He served in occupied post-war Germany with the British Army of the Rhine, becoming a sergeant. Frank developed his teaching skills in this role, helping illiterate servicemen learn to read and write. It was whilst with the BAOR that he met his first wife Muriel, the daughter of an artillery Sergeant-Major.
After studying for the priesthood at Kings College, London, Frank became a curate at St Peter and St Paul Church in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. He and Muriel were married in 1957, but tragically she died during the first year of their marriage, not long after the birth of his first son.
Frank married Yvonne in 1960; the couple were together for forty years until her death in 2000 and had a further three children. His first two incumbencies as a priest were in countryside parishes in Somerset: All Saints, Kingsdon (with several associated parishes) then St Andrews, Wiveliscombe. In the latter post he also served as Rural Dean. He was deeply involved in many aspects of local life, including running youth clubs and the Scout Group, serving as a Councillor and as County Scout Chaplain, a post he also held In Worcestershire.
In Easter 1976 the family relocated to Worcester, where Frank took up the post of Vicar of St John in Bedwardine. He is remembered by many residents of St John's as a compassionate and caring Vicar. After eight years at the church, Frank became Archdeacon of Worcester. He retired from this role in 1999, working until his seventieth birthday as residential Chaplain to St Oswald’s Hospital, a retirement housing community in the city centre. He also served as a Queen’s Chaplain and was a member of the Royal College of Preachers.
Frank married his third wife Kathleen, spending his retirement with her at their home near Pershore. He remained active in the Church through his retirement, assisting at St John the Baptist Church in Fladbury and in other parishes.
Frank had a gentle sense of humour and an ability to see the best in any situation. He was a keen gardener and, until he became too deaf to play, an excellent pianist. He is also remembered by former members of the church youth club as a formidable table-tennis opponent.
Frank passed at the age of ninety in Worcester Royal Hospital on 15 November, following a short illness. He is survived by Kathleen, his four children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
