R.I.P Richard Sparkes 02-04-1934 - 04-09-2011

This video was originally filmed on 12th June 2009,the last time Richard was able to play in a professional music career spanning some 60 years . . .,

Richards health had deteriorated quite rapidly and sadly the last 9 months,he had been bedridden and virtually blind,four weeks ago he sadly became very ill and had to be admitted to hospital but was too ill and they allowed him home on friday 2nd september but he breathed his final breath on Sunday 4th September 2011 . He is now at peace and no longer suffering . This video which I originally posted 2 years ago is now a lasting tribute to a wonderful man who not only was a professional musician and teacher,but was also a wonderful friend and colleague to many

with kind thanks to Richard,Mike and Father John Wiley who were seen in the original video

Chris & Gordon Stevens

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Music

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• Richard
• Sparkes
• F.C.S.M
• Father
• John
• Wiley
• Mike
• Heathcote

[accent1923]

Monday 19th September 2011

Sadly, on the 4th September 2011,Richard passed away at home,with myself and my partner by his bedside . His funeral was held on Friday 16th September 2011 at the Church of the Holy Family in West Acton,following a full requiem mass he was taken to Mortlake Crematorium for comittal . God bless you Rick , we will all sadly miss you and carry many memories in our hearts ! Chris & Gordon

[accent1923]

Thankyou for that comment Lee,have just told Richard and he smiled and said he remembers u fondly from the Crem days,yes,we all remember Celia very well,I did one or two open days with her,playing the organ myself,my partner and i are now Richards full time carers and he is in fact now bed ridden and blind,poor thing,he does his best but all he has now sadly are his memories

I do remember u also Lee when Ken used to bring you up to the crem with him

[accent1923]

Richards health now has sadly diminished and after a serious fall at home recently,he is mostly bed-ridden and his sight has greatly dimished to almost total blindness,this short piece is still a fitting tribute to someone who has acomplished 60+ years of playing the organ

[accent1923]

18th August 2010

Richard is now sadly,nearly blind and unable to walk and housebound,so no longer able to play the instrument he loved so much and had played for over 60 years,both as an accomplished and professional musician and as a teacher,this recording i made last year,was in fact only a few weeks before he had to sadly retire from playing,due to his blindness,it is a brief but fitting clip and memorial to the career or a wonderful musician & friend

Chris Stevens

18th August 2010

[shazza1901]

What beautiful music. A really talented organist. Well done

[accent1923]

Thankyou Sharon,I will pass your comments onto Richard later

[Mervyn12104]

I remember Richard with great affection. He always gave me a lovely smile and greeting prior to the arrival of a funeral at West London Crematorium. Richard always shared the service in a special way, even though sometimes we were only three in attendance; his words were 'The good Lord is with us and that is what counts.' Rest in Peace, dear Richard. You are already greatly missed, but God has called you home. David.

[ItalianBooshFan]

I shall never tire of watching this. Thank you Chris, it really is a treasure. x

[shazza1901]

So sorry to hear of Richards passing. Mum also very shocked. May he rest in peace and may God watch over him.

[Azophia]

sorry to hear of your loss. RIP

[patsaxon]

What! No grand piano? Most of the churches that i had visited has replaced their organs with acoustic grand pianos. But this is the first church that I had seen with no grand piano.

[lee1984yate]

Chris, I can't believe Richard is in such poor health. I first met him when Ken Bartram and I were sharing jobs at West London crem, back when Celia Luetchford-Smith was superintendent. Such a wonderful character. A truly warm gentleman indeed. I'm so sad to hear of his poor health :-(