Baily, Bob – Continued to serve church 30 years after retiring

Canon Robert Baily (1921 – 2016)

Canon Robert Spencer Canning Baily was ordained priest in Salisbury Cathedral in 1945, at the age of 24.  From then

until 1969 he served five churches in Dorset, Bedford, Suffolk and Norfolk before becoming Director of Education for Southwell Diocese, work which he loved and recalled with pride.

He retired to Grantham in 1987 and worshipped at St John’s, Manthorpe, for almost 30 years, until his death in October 2016.

His family describe his retirement as the only settled time in his life, time when he could become rooted and feel at home.

But retirement for Bob was not a time for sitting back and taking a rest. He remained an active priest until his death, though latterly his activities were curtailed by his loss of sight.  He was a regular at Feelgood gymnasium until his early 90s.

He saw this church through two vacancies and was a loyal and active supporter of all the priests who ministered here.

He continued to read theological and other books until his eyesight failed, and was always eager to share new insights

Compiled with the assistance of Jill Potts