Joseph O'Brien

He was a private man who came late to the priesthood, having first been involved with lay movements before being ordained when he was 59.

Father O'Brien, who retired 10 years ago as Parish Priest of All

Saints, Thirsk, was a man for order who liked proper liturgy and demanded much of his congregation, but who rewarded him with their devotion and support.

When he and his oldest sister, Betty, retired and moved into a house in the area, his former parishioners were regular visitors, making sure they were looked after. When both of them eventually became too ill to live on their own, they moved to St Catherine's Residential Care Home, in Hull, where Fr O'Brien died.

He was born in Hull, the youngest of a large family who worshipped at the now demolished St Mary's Church, Wilton Street.

After ordination, in 1974, Fr O'Brien served firstly as curate at St Gabriel's Church, in Middlesbrough, from 1975, then at Christ Church, Thornaby-on-Tees, before becoming Parish Priest of All Saints, Thirsk, in 1983, until his retirement in 1998.

His Requiem Mass was held at Sacred Heart Church, Hull, where the principal celebrant was the Bishop of the diocese, Bishop Terence Drainey.