FAMILY members and former colleagues have paid tribute to the former Archdeacon of Worcester and 'gift to the city' Frank Bentley.

Frank, who was Archdeacon for 15 years and was also Vicar at St John in Bedwardine, passed away on Friday aged 90 due to heart failure. 

His son, Mike, has said his father will be remembered by those in St John's as a compassionate and caring Vicar. 

He told the Worcester News: "He 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."

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Frank was born in 1934 in Southwark, London, but when war broke out he and his older brother were evacuated to Somerset, later to be joined by their mother. 

Frank later carried out national service, service in occupied post-war Germany with the British Army of the Rhine, becoming a sergeant.  

During his time serving he met his first wife Muriel and they married in 1957, but she tragically died during the first year of their marriage, not long after the birth of his first son. 

He later married Yvonne in 1960 who he was with for 40 years until she died in 2000 and had a further three children. 

In Easter 1976, after many roles in various churches, the family relocated to Worcester, where Frank took up the post of Vicar of St John in Bedwardine. 

Eight years later Frank became Archdeacon of Worcester, responsible for the churches and clergy in the Southern area of the diocese before retiring in 1999. 

After retiring, Frank married his third wife, Kathleen, spending his retirement with her at their home near Pershore.  

He is survived by Kathleen, his four children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Bishop Martin Gorick, the acting Bishop of Worcester, said although he had only met Frank once, he could see what a gift to the Diocese he had been. 

He added: "He was a faithful parish priest and an outstanding archdeacon who dedicated his life to the service of God, the church and all God’s people."

The Bishop's Chaplain, Stuart Currie added: "Frank served as an active, engaged and committed disciple of the Christ he loved almost to the very end of his life."