Fr Jack Rigby RIP
Friday 26th May 2023We are sorry to share the sad news that Fr John (Jack) Rigby died peacefully on Thursday 25th May.
Fr Rigby was in his ninety-fourth year, the sixty-ninth year of his Sacred Priesthood.
John was born on 28th February 1930 in Philadelphia USA and was baptised on 16th March 1930 at St Martin’s Church in Philadelphia. The family moved to England and he was educated at English Martyrs, Urmston, and St Bede’s College, Manchester.
John was accepted as an Ecclesiastical student for the Diocese of Salford in May 1944 and continued at St Bede’s as a boarder until September 1948 when he transferred to St Joseph’s College, Upholland.
Fr John Rigby was ordained to the Priesthood at Corpus Christi, Hollinwood on 18th July 1954.
Fr Rigby served the Diocese of Salford in the following appointments:
1954-1973: St. Bede’s, College, Manchester (Spiritual Director from 1958)
August 1973: St. Edmund’s, Little Hulton as Assistant Priest
Sept 1973-1995: St. Edmund’s, Little Hulton as Parish Priest following the death of Fr Loran
1984: Appointed Dean of St. Paul’s Deanery
1993-2003: Vicar General
1995-2015: St. Vincent’s, Over Hulton as Parish Priest
Fr John retired in December 2015 and initially resided at Cathedral House before moving to Little Sisters of the Poor Care Home in Longsight in April 2017.
Fr Rigby’s body will be received into the Chapel at Little Sisters of the Poor for a private Mass on Thursday 15th June.
Bishop John will celebrate the Requiem Mass at St. Vincent’s, Over Hulton, on Friday 16th June at 1pm, followed by committal at Wardley Cemetery. If you wish to concelebrate please bring with you an alb and white stole.
Please remember him in your prayers and in the celebration of Mass.
May he rest in peace.
