The Very Reverend John Southgate, a former Dean of York who rose to the challenge of running the Minster after the disastrous fire in 1984, has died. He was 73.

Dr John Southgate who was battling against cancer

Dr Southgate, who was Dean from 1984 to 1994, had been battling against cancer while living in retirement in Hethersett, Norfolk, near Norwich, the city where he was born.

In June this year, he told the Evening Press he had a form of leukaemia which was incurable but had been stabilised with medication. He said at the time: "I intend to be around for a good few years yet. I am pressing on with life regardless, but doing it carefully."

The current Dean of York, the Very Reverend Raymond Furnell, today paid tribute to Dr Southgate, a priest with a warm, friendly personality who offered strong leadership at the Minster and was a prominent figure in the city.

Dean Furnell said: "He was appointed Dean in 1984 following the fire and played a significant role in the restoration of the south transept.

"He was known as a very good preacher and speaker and he was a priest who understood collaborative ministry and the importance of enabling others to lead."

He said that on top of his Minster role, Dr Southgate was chairman of St Peter's School, the first chairman of the English Cathedrals Association - a body set up to represent the cathedrals in negotiations with the wider church and the state - from 1990 to 1994.

He devoted a great deal of time and effort to one of his main external roles as national chairman of Victim Support.

Dr Southgate, who was Archdeacon of Cleveland before he was made Dean by Margaret Thatcher in 1984, was also a Church Commissioner and Provost of the Northern Division of Woodard Schools.

He also secured the purchase of a warehouse behind St William's College and supervised the design and finance needed to convert it into a church house, which became the administrative centre for both the Minster and the diocese.

The project made a great contribution to the efficient and harmonious workings of the Church's central administration in York.

Born John Eliot Southgate in Norwich in 1926, he is survived by his widow, Patricia, two sons and a daughter.

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