Passing of Devoted Churchman.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 35, Issue 7, 1 September 1944, Page 2

Passing of Devoted Churchman.

Mr Henry John Hull, a wellknown and highly respected citizen of Napier passed away recently at his home. , ' ' Mr Hull, who was a devoted member of St. John's congregation while his health permitted, was greatly esteemed among his friends for his unassuming Christian life. Mr Hull was born m Liverpool where he was ■ educated privately. Later he was associated with the Liverpool Cotton Exchange and for three years he was the representative of a British firm m Tiflis. Coming to New Zealand m 1906, he married Miss Mary Rutledge, of Christchurch. He later went to Napier to join the wool department of the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Co-op. Assn., where he remained for 25 years. _ For some -years after his arrival m Napier he was a member of the Cathedral choir. He then gave his services to St. Andrew's Church, Port Ahuriri, as _a lay reader, vicar's warden, synodsman and Sunday school superintendent ov~£ a period of many years. He was a keen member of the Church of England Men's Society and a member of the local committed of the New Zealand Church Missionary Society since its inception. Of late years Mr Hull was a regular attender at St. John's while his health permitted. Besides his widow, he leaves one daughter, Helena. His only son Archie (R.N.Z.A.F.), was killed at the beginning of the war. . He also leaves a sister, Miss Hull, formerly of Christchurch. The funeral took place after a service at St. John's Church conducted by the Very Rev. Dean O. S. O Gibson. - . "I want to express the great regret of this Cathedral Parish and of the whole Church of the Diocese at the passing of Henry John Hull," said the Dean m paying a feeling tribute. "We have suffered a great loss 1 . Mr Hull had served m almost every office open to a layman. He had been lay reader, synodsman, churchwarden, chorister and Sunday school superintendent. His service all through had the hall-mark of selflessness and devotion. He was always ready to volunteer to give of his very best and he was one of the best types of Christian manhood. We can be certain that he is now continuing his service m the great Church Triumphant. It remains for us who remain m the Church Militant to see that his work goes on. A tribute to his memory is comparatively empty unless it means that we are prepared to do our part and try to show the same love and devotion:"