THE assistant archdeacon at Winchester Cathedral has died after a brief illness.

Canon Gary Philbrick, who was appointed to the post at the cathedral in 2022, passed away in hospital, where he had been receiving treatment.

On Twitter/X, Gary described himself as a "Grampa, Chaplain of Winchester Cathedral and Assistant Archdeacon in the Diocese of Winchester. Fan of a Cream Tea."

The Dean of Winchester, the Very Rev Catherine Ogle released a statement yesterday: "It is with deep sadness that I write the sad news that Canon Gary Philbrick died in hospital yesterday afternoon. Our hearts go out to his family in their grief following Gary’s sudden and short illness. It is hard for us all to comprehend what has happened."

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Gary had been with the cathedral since 2022 (Image: Jim Pascoe)

A service was held on the morning of Wednesday, July 24, in his memory.

Born in Cheshire, he came to Southampton in 1975 to read music at Southampton University. He then became the organist of Otterbourne, near Winchester, moved into the village whilst doing a PGCE at King Alfred’s College and then taught in the primary school there.

In the mid 1980s, Gary went to Edinburgh for ordination training at Coates Hall Theological College, whilst also studying for a BA at Edinburgh University. Following this, Gary returned to Southampton University and completed a part-time MA in Theology in 1999.

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Ordained in 1986, Gary served in the Parishes of Maybush in Southampton, Fawley, on the eastern edge of the New Forest, and from 2000-2013, Swaythling, on the northern edge of Southampton.

He was Area Dean of Southampton from 2007–2013, and an Honorary Canon of Winchester Cathedral since 2009. From 2013, Gary served as Rector of the Avon Valley Churches, which comprises seven churches in one parish on the western edge of the New Forest.