FATHER JOSEPH GLENDINNING

Joseph Edward Glendinning was born on 21 June 1916 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England.  

He was educated at Saint Michael’s College, Leeds.  He worked for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and served in the Royal Air Force during the second world war.  He returned to employment with British Railways and retired as Chief Personnel Officer for the Scottish Region in 1976.  Following the death of his wife in 1977, he entered the Pontifical Beda College, Rome.  He was ordained on 3 December 1980 in Saint Winin’s Church, Kilwinning where he served till 1981. He was an assistant Priest at the Church of Saint Peter in Chains till May 1982 when he moved to the Church of Our Lady and Saint Ninian, Newton Stewart.

Father Glendinning retired from the priesthood in 1988 and died in Newton Stewart on 31 December 1993.


The obituary below is from the Scottish Catholic Directory, 1995.

Father Joseph Edward Glendinning was born at Wakefield in the West Riding of Yorkshire on 21st June, 1916, and received his secondary education at St. Michael's College, Leeds. He pursued a career with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and British Railways, interrupted by war service from 1940-45 with the Royal Air Force at home and in the Far East. In the course of his career he gained appropriate professional qualifications at London University and elsewhere, and retired as Chief Personnel Officer, Scottish Region, B.R., in 1976. Throughout his life he gave great service to the parishes he lived in - especially through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Men's Society and the musical life of the parish.

Following the death of his wife, he entered the Pontifical Beda College in Rome in 1977, and was ordained priest by the Right Reverend Joseph McGee, Bishop of Galloway, in St. Winin's Church, Kilwinning, on 3rd December, 1980.

Father Joe served in parishes at Ardrossan, St. Margaret's, Ayr, Girvan, and finally at Newton Stewart. In these parishes he is remember for his love and leadership of music, his involvement in parish life as well as community affairs. His love of the faith and the priesthood was witnessed and appreciated by those who knew him. He carried out his priestly duties with a sure authority and yet with a gentleness; this was much appreciated by those in hospital or housebound.

Following a heart attack, Father Joe's health deteriorated over the years. Although not one to complain, he was always loud in his praise of the National Health Service. Continued ill health, including failing eyesight, caused his retirement in October 1988. His choice to retire among the community and in the district where he had been so happy was a great joy to many local people. In retirement he was able to enjoy his favourite pastimes including his postage stamp collection, crossword puzzles, cinema films and watching cricket.

His death on 31st December, 1993 came as a great shock to many people who had seen him at Christmas. His nephew, Father Paul Glendinning, parish priest of St. Anthony's, Wythenghawe, Manchester, joined Bishop Taylor and many priests of the Galloway diocese in celebrating Requiem Mass and attending the burial in Newton Stewart cemetery.

'You must be rooted in Christ, and built on Him, and hold firm by the faith you have been taught and full of thanksgiving.'

May he rest in peace.