Peter Markey, a well-known member of the RC Church in Crathorne, who lived in Hutton Rudby and was involved in many village organisations, died on April 3 aged 95.

Peter was born in Batley on November 16, 1927, to working class Catholic parents, and had an older brother, Eric.

He went to St Bede’s Catholic Grammar school in Bradford before gaining a place at Leeds University to study chemistry at the age of 16.

He did his National Service in the Artillery Regiment in the Army before returning to Leeds University to do crystallographic research for a PHD. This was when he met his wife Barbara and in 1953 they were married in Leeds RC Cathedral.

His first job was with ICI in Welwyn Garden City, followed by a post at ICI Fibres in Harrogate. Around this time their daughter Alison was born and Roz came along some years later.

In 1970, Peter’s job moved him to ICI Wilton on Teesside and the family moved to Hutton Rudby, where he and Barbara became very much involved in village life, including helping with the organisation of Hutton Rudby Show. They became strongly involved in the worship and life of St Mary’s Church in Crathorne and helped establish a number of ecumenical activities with Anglicans and Methodists in Hutton Rudby, especially the annual collection for Christian Aid. They were faithful attenders at ecumenical services in the parish.

In 1980 Peter left ICI to train as a teacher. He taught science and RE at St Georges Comprehensive in Acklam for ten years before retiring in 1991.

Having more free time enabled him to pursue various hobbies including photography, listening to classical music, bird watching, walking and reading.

After his wife died in 2000, he became increasingly involved with the church (Crathorne, Osmotherley and the Lady Chapel) as well as taking part in pilgrimages to Lourdes and Iona and retreats at Ampleforth. Peter attended meetings in Middlesbrough of The Newman Society and also enjoyed attending their lunches.

Peter’s life was devoted to helping others and he was involved with many organisations including the Hutton Rudby Village Design Statement – this was the first one in Hambleton. For 16 years he was involved with Rudby Parish Council including roles as chairman and treasurer, he retired in 2007. Peter enjoyed driving those attending the weekly Day Centre in Church House, was a member of the Hutton Rudby Village Hall committee and was also involved in the annual bonfire and firework display and the Remembrance Sunday parade.

A requiem mass was held in a very full church on April 26, led by Father Bill Charlton prior to burial in Rudby burial ground. He is survived by his two daughters Alison and Roz.

Peter is going to be deeply missed by all those whose lives he touched, especially his family and friends.