The community in Warrington are mourning the loss of a faithful servant, Basil Ireland. Rev'd Dr Jeremy Nicol reflects on a life well lived...

Basil Ireland died on Monday 23rd August. He lived to see, but not enjoy, the 90th birthday he had been so looking forward to. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

By a series of unplanned events, I was able to be there. I was in the hospital for work and should have finished about 1pm, but although everything was on schedule at 12, two things happened at once to delay it and it was 3 before I was packing up to go. So I was still in the hospital when I got a message from Rosalie to say her dad was dying, and could I go? I went up to the ward and the nurses didn’t hesitate in letting me in. I sat with Basil and we said the prayers for the dying. Sadly, Basil passed away before Carolyn got there.

The restrictions of lockdown are incredibly hard for families at this time. They are separated from their loved ones, unable to grieve properly, unable to be together as family, and unable to arrange the funeral we all wish to give Basil. My heart breaks for them.

Basil was one of the most remarkable people any of us will ever meet. He has kept the grounds of St Barnabas since 1968, the year I went to high school. It is a length and depth of service to Christ that seems to belong to a previous age. No one else I have met has worked so long and so hard at their mission. 

Basil’s life was his mission. His Christian service wasn’t just about grounds and buildings. I went to a number of meetings outside of St. Barnabas with Basil and while it would be fair to say, generally speaking, that I only understood a little of what Basil said, at these meetings he was always clear. Our work is about the love of Christ, nothing else is as important. In faith and works Basil was the most solid person you will ever meet. Once I was walking behind him, when he stopped suddenly and walked into him. I’m not sure he noticed. As solid in life as in Faith.

I’ve been searching for a photo of Basil. He appears in lots: always in the background, except when there was work being done. In photos, as in life.

Blessings and prayers for Hilary, Rosalie, Carolyn, Claire, Kieran and Casey and the greater Ireland family.

God’s blessing to you all, and to all in need at this time.

Jeremy

Rev Dr JJ Nicoll,
Priest-in-Charge
St Barnabas, Warrington, NZ