Sudden Passing: Father Thaddeus Pratt died suddenly after collapsing on a cruise August 19, 2010.

Published On:Thursday, August 26, 2010

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Writer

MEMBERS of The Anglican Diocese are mourning the death of Reverend Father Thaddeus W Pratt, who died suddenly after collapsing while on a cruise accompanied by his wife, her sister and friends on August 19.

Fr Pratt served as an educator in many schools before and during his priesthood. As priest he worked as rector of St Philip, Inagua; St Patrick, Eleuthera; and St Gregory, (which he built), New Providence. According to Anglican Bishop Laish Boyd, Fr Pratt was a faithful priest with a strong abiding faith and his sudden death has sent shock-waves through the Diocese.

"He was an educator for decades, a priest who died in his 34th year, a husband of over 51 years, a father, a father-in-law, a grand father and a trusted friend, he will be well remembered and truly missed," the bishop said.

Father Canon Ward of the Anglican Diocese, who attended seminary with Fr Pratt said in a statement: "He was a quiet giant who was not a seeker of praise but rather sought to give praise through his meticulous creative work. Creativity was a distinctive gift of his both as an artist and as a creator of symbolism in his attempts to effectively convey the dynamics of the Gospel."

He continued: "If it were left to Fr Pratt, the Church of St Gregory The Great which he built in record time, would have had in its roof, a glass cross through which the light of the sun could have reminded worshippers of 'he Light of The Son.'

"He once spoke to me about his vision of having a pulpit shaped like a boat from which he may proclaim the Gospel getting the listeners attention just as Jesus did from a boat," he said.

According to Father Ward, Fr Pratt owned several boats using them not only to fish, but to enjoy the freedom and beauty of God's magnificent creation. He liked being in a boat on the waters.

" His recreation was boating, and at last, he died on a boat, on the waters far away from home,"

Father Ward said: " When I met him in 1974, the year we went to test our priestly vocation at Codrington College, Barbados, I very quickly knew that I had found a friend who was truly a brother. In 1975 when the opportunity came for us to go to Berkley, California, to study at Church Divinity School Of The Pacific, an Episcopal Seminary, we seized it, and there he spent two sacrificial but fruitful years."

The loss of Fr Pratt is terrible news, Father Ward said particularly to his beloved wife Florence and his heartbeat, Phillippa , his only daughter. " He loved his family, that was crystal clear; but he loved God above all, loving his family with the love of God," he said.

Speaking on the times they shared together, Fr Ward: "In California when fellow seminarians confused our identity, we would note our differences in stature: The short and long of the matter was that he was tall and I, short. It was so obvious, it became laughable."

He added: " Fr Pratt was a builder. He made it look so easy! He had an unusual capacity to get workers to apply themselves to the job. When he saw an opportunity to improve a situation, he seized it with all his might. This was especially so in matters pertaining to the Church. When he set out to accomplish a task, he would not rest until it was well done.

"He was a praying man whose patience had a long rope. Many persons may have misinterpreted his quiet manner as being withdrawn, but in truth he was a listener with a strong desire to heal wounds created by brokenness in relationships. This included his ready requests for assistance from others whom he deemed qualified to do so. He was a good team player. Our prayers and support go out to His family. May he rest in peace," he said.

At the time of Fr Pratt's death, he was serving as Priest-in-Charge of St. Bartholomew, The Berry Islands. The Bishop and The Diocese extend full condolences and prayerful support to Florence, his wife, his daughter and son-in-law, Philippa and David O'Brien and their children, Kathleen and Joshua; and all his relatives and friends.

Fr Pratt died at the age of seventy five in the 34th year of his priesthood.