By Hayley Robinson

A well-known clergymen and life-long Sittingbourne resident has died.

The Reverend Bernard Foulger passed away at his daughter’s home in Brownings Orchard, Rodmersham, during the early hours of Sunday with his wife Jean by his bedside. He was 81.

Despite suffering from ill health since April, Mr Foulger was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease on Tuesday, November 24. Prior to his death he had been admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital but he returned home two days after his diagnosis to be with his family.

Mr Foulger, who was a leap year baby, entered the priesthood when he was ordained in 1989 and was priested in October 1990. He was a curate of the benefice of the Holy Trinity Church, in Dover Street, Sittingbourne, and St Bartholomew Church in Bobbing.

For the last 19 years he took the Remembrance Sunday Service at the war memorial in Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, but sadly he was unable to take this year’s service due to ill health.

Mr Foulger, of Frederick Street, Sittingbourne, was also a padre for The Royal British Legion Sittingbourne branch, The Royal Naval Association, The Queen’s Own Buffs’ Association and the Parachute Regimental Association, the Chatham branch of the Airborne Engineers’ Association and Brompton’s Suez and Middle Eastern Veterans’ Association.

Prior to becoming a man of the cloth Mr Foulger served in the army until he left as a sergeant at the age of 19.

He then went on to work as a sales assistant at Weatley and Thurston jewellers which used to be at the bottom of Park Road, Sittingbourne. He also worked for EPS Export Packing Service, in Staplehurst Road, and as a homeless families’ officer for Swale council.

Mr Foulger leaves his wife Jean, 78, his daughter Anne, sons Michael and Sean, as well as seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

All who knew Mr Foulger are welcome to attend his funeral which will be held at the Holy Trinity Church, in Dover Street, Sittingbourne, at 11.30am on Friday, December 11.

Family flowers only, but donations can be made to the charity Help for Heroes and Holy Trinity Church via R High and Sons Funeral Directors, Bayford Road, Sittingbourne.

For tributes see this week's Sittingbourne Messenger.