Tribute following sudden death of well-known Bury vicar

Rev Eric Arthur Ruehorn, 92, died peacefully at Fairfield Hospital on February 28 following a brain haemorrhage.

Eric was the parish vicar at St Mary’s Church in Hawkshaw for 25 years before retiring in 1999.

Born in Openshaw on July 4, 1933, he spent most of his early life in the Manchester suburb. He went on to marry his late wife, Vera Kelshaw, at St Clement’s Church in 1954.

The pair went on to have two children, Paul and Lindsey Ruehorn (now Rigby).

Rev Eric Arthur Ruehorn with his late wife Vera Ruehorn nee Kelshaw (Image: supplied)

Eric was officially ordained into the priesthood in 1961, taking on his first role at a parish in Mosley in 1964.

The family moved to Bury ten years later, where Eric took on his position at St Mary’s Church in Hawkshaw.

He was also involved in the wider community, providing support at the Holcombe Moor Training Camp and as a Chaplain at Fairfield Hospital in Bury, offering pastoral, spiritual and religious guidance to people of all faiths.  

Son Paul Ruehorn, 70, is a retired funeral director.

He said: “When I worked in funerals, people of all regions would ask me if we were related, as they knew him.

“My dad offered advice to churches across the area, would welcome any ministers and was well known in the Diocese of Manchester.

“His brother-in-law moved to the USA and became Bishop of Albuquerque in New Mexico. My dad was ordained as an honorary member of the Church of America when he visited.”

“He never really retired and was heavily involved with the Bible Society and Christ Church in Walshaw, doing family weddings and christenings.”

Daughter Lindsey, a retired paediatric nurse of 40 years, added: “I was delighted to be able to take my dad on holiday to the Cotswolds last September, a trip he very much enjoyed.”

Rev Eric Arthur Ruehorn (Image: supplied)

Eric and his family enjoyed holidays to Cornwall and Devon when the children were younger, before travelling as a couple to Spain, Malta and Morocco once their family had grown up.  

He also played golf and was a member at Rossendale Golf Club in Haslingden.  

Eric was a beloved grandpa to a blended family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held on at 2pm on Monday, March 23 at Christ Church, Walshaw, with the family requesting guests wear ‘bright colours only’ – followed by a private committal at Radcliffe Crematorium.

Family flowers only, donations if desired to The Bible Society, with all enquiries to The Co-op.