THE Roman Catholic priest of St Wilfrid's in Ripon and chaplain to the city's mayor, has died of legionnaire's disease this week.

Canon Harold Parker, 73, died of an embolism, thrombosis and legionnaires disease on Monday after being admitted to Harrogate district hospital on September 26, four days after returning from a reunion in Rome.

Father Tony Foulkes from Blackpool, who was with Canon Parker at the reunion, also died of legionnaire's disease and his funeral took place on Wednesday.

Canon Parker was well-known in Ripon for his ecumenical work since becoming parish priest at St Wilfrid's church and primary school in 1989.

Mr Peter Burdekin, headteacher of the school, said: "Canon Parker was loved by the staff, children and parents of St Wilfrid's school..

"He cared deeply about the school community. He took delight in being with the children, talking to them, but above all listening to them. His gentle humour, compassion and understanding will be greatly missed."

Before joining the priesthood, Canon Parker trained to be a teacher at Ampleforth and worked at schools in Bradford, Leeds and Cumberland.

He was ordained in 1961 at the Palazzola in Rome by Bishop George Dwyer, the then Bishop of Leeds.

He was appointed curate of St Anne's cathedral in Leeds, before becoming parish priest at St Mary's in Bradford and in 1982 he became canon of the cathedral chapter.

In 1985 Canon Parker returned to Rome to join the staff of the English college before taking up his post in Ripon in 1989.

Canon Parker's body will be received into St Wilfrid's church in Ripon on Tuesday at 7pm and the funeral mass celebrated by Bishop David Konstant, Bishop of Leeds, will take place at the church on Wednesday at 11am.

Dr Phil Kirby, consultant in public health medicine at North Yorkshire Health Authority said: "I understand he acquired legionnaire's disease when he was abroad. There are no public health risks for anyone in North Yorkshire."