FATHER Conrad Lowry, 90, a Catholic priest in Bradford for 20 years, died at Nazareth House Residential Home in Cheltenham on July 9.

He was appointed the parish priest at St Thomas More Church on August 11, 1996, and retired due to failing health in October 2016.

Father Lowry was born in London on August 29, 1928, and spent his early years at St Joseph’s Enfield children’s home.

From a young age, he had a strong interest in gardening, which took him to Blaisdon Hall Agricultural School, run the Salesians of Don Bosco, an Italian religious institute.

Father Lowry arrived in Bath in 1945.

His interest and training in plants enabled him to start his career in gardening, first in a private house in St Catherine’s Valley, Batheaston, moving to become a self employed gardener around the Bath area.

It was during these early years of work that he felt a calling to the priesthood, but his lack of academic qualifications stopped him from becoming one.

Years passed, and his devotion to the church continued and led him to serve on the altar at St Mary’s Catholic Church on Julian Road, Bath, where he then became sacristan.

He continued in his profession of gardening working at the former Westhill Secondary Modern School, which became Culverhay School, and now known as Bath Community Academy, for around sixteen years.

During all those years his skills both spiritual and practical developed at St Mary’s where he chose trees to be planted and created the gardens on the site.

His career as a priest kicked off in 1985 when he was instituted to the Ministry of Lector, installed to the Ministry of Acolyte in May 1986 and ordained to the Permanent Dioconate in 1987.

Father Lowry was ordained into the priesthood on 14th April 1993 at 64.

After his ordination at St Mary’s Bath, he was appointed assistant priest at St Mary’s Chippenham where he spent the next three years.

Chris Pitura, a close friend for 25 years, said: “He was the least judgemental man I have ever met.

“He was a man who touched so many hearts and encouraged so many people young and old to deepen and sometimes discover their faith.

“This was so evident by the number of mourners attending his two funeral services – people from all around the area whose lives had been touched in some way by such a special man.”

As a Catholic priest, Father Lowry had no family, so his funeral was organised by Mrs Pitura and C S Bowyers Funeral Directors.