A CANON who celebrated 60 years in the priesthood last year has died.

Canon Alan Lazonby, a former rector of Haughton-le-Skerne, Darlington, died in hospital last week aged 84.

He leaves a wife, Joan, a son, daughter, six grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Canon Lazonby was born at Denton, near Darlington, where his father was the headteacher at the school, and the church organist.

He saw his future wife riding a bike while he was travelling on a bus from his home to Bishop Auckland Grammar School.

When they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last year, Canon Lazonby said: "I knew then and there she was the one for me. I can still remember the date, it was March 9, 1935."

They married in Staindrop village church a month after Canon Lazonby was ordained as a priest in 1943 at Durham Cathedral.

His first curacy was at St Helen Auckland, in County Durham, where he was also in charge of Evenwood.

He became curate at Horden from 1946 to 1950, was made rector at Witton Park from 1950 to 1957, and was domestic chaplain to the then-Bishop of Durham, Michael Ramsay, for seven years.

He became rector at St Andrew's Church, Haughton, from 1957 to 1984, and then retired. He was made an honorary Canon of Durham Cathedral in 1975.

Canon Lazonby, of Loraine Crescent, Darlington, was also an avid reader and a lover of classical music and opera.

His daughter, Margaret Lilley, said: "He was a man who loved his ministry, was committed to serving people and was always there to listen and offer advice.

"He was a powerful preacher, challenging people to think of the important things in life, as well as a devoted family man. He was down-to-earth and didn't like any fuss."

His funeral will take place at St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, on Friday, at 1.45pm, followed by a private cremation.