L. David Fysh

We have been notified of the sad death of David Fysh who passed away on 19th October 2021, aged 86. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his family and those who knew him well.

There will be a private cremation for David, but later, on Friday 5th November, a memorial service will be held at St. Peter & St. Paul Parish Church, Church Terrace, Wisbech, PE13 1HP, at 11.30am.

If you would like to have your memories of David posted on this webpage, please feel free to email them to TWS@wycliffe.co.uk

The below information is taken from the Wycliffe Star journals of the early 1990’s:

Upon retirement from Wycliffe:

David was responsible for building up a department independent of the senior school and starting many young and talented musicians on the first step of a career. Several of his pupils graduated to IAPS orchestras, then to the National Youth Orchestra and subsequently became professional musicians. In his twenty years at Wycliffe, David has not only taught, acted as a House Tutor in Ryeford Hall, and run a thriving Scout Group, but he has also been responsible for generations of Junior School ‘musicals’ – with large casts of boys and girls revelling in their roles as Gunpowder Plotters, Amazonian Indians, Pirates, Japanese Geishas or Yeomen of the Guard. Such organisation has required long hours of commitment and patience and the effect on the participants will be lifelong. David was far from inactive outside the school, despite his intensive involvement within it. For years he was a Parish Councillor; he was a onetime conductor of the Stroud Choral Society and also a Director of the Stroud Festival. He was a willing accompanist and organist in a variety of contexts, often at very short notice. When he was ordained two years ago, he took on responsibilities in the parish and assisted the school Chaplain as well.

Ordained:

Towards the end of his time at Wycliffe, David was ordained as a Priest by the Bishop of Gloucester and appointed to assist at St. Cyr’s in Stonehouse, as well as the Chaplain in Wycliffe’s own Chapel, also serving as acting Chaplain during the Summer Term 1994.

While in the Chapel David established a rapport with his new ‘parishioners’, many of whom he had taught in his ‘previous incarnation’ at the Junior School.

Upon leaving Wycliffe he went on to be Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of West Walton in the Diocese of Ely.

Memories from OWs and Honorary OWs:

David was the kindest, most patient of teachers. He enthused, and installed a love of music in generations of Wycliffians. I remember him fondly.

– Mike Murray (P S 1977 – 1986)

Thank you for this information. It has come as quite a shock – two years ago I was in Ely visiting the cathedral so took time to find him. He was singing in the choir stalls. Mr Fysh was the third master I met on my first night in the Junior school. The only reason he was the third was because Dick Stoker and David King were so much taller than him! He was number two in Ryeford when I arrived, and he taught me how to play the triangle and was so enthusiastic that it be played correctly and made it the musical group’s most important instrument! He later introduced me to the piano, something I tried hard with but never seemed to grasp it. I also remember watching the Connors v Borg final in 1977 in his room in Ryeford with Nick Short. That went to five sets. We had tea and cake. Whenever Mr Fysh played tennis, the comment was always “Why are his shorts so long?!”. He was kind and honest to me and helped me, for sure David King was involved as well. It is only now I realise how hard they worked. Most years, of all the musicals I recall doing, a performance of ‘All the King’s Horses and All the King’s Men’ shone out as the most memorable. I still remember all the words. David King did the lighting. The Junior School Carol Service was always good fun and for many years I was at the front in the choir with Mr Fysh conducting in front of us. On to the senior school and Mr Fysh followed us, to his house on Regent Street. Again, more tea and cake and so nice to keep his friendship, it was with Jon Young I seem to remember. He of course was his star because of his singing, and I seem to remember Head Choir Boy. I started in Cubs with Bob Everett, then on to becoming a Scout with Mr Fysh, then Brian Shakeshaft and into Venture Scouts with Peter Spicer, Derek Wright and Frank Smith et al. He was always good at writing to me, as is Frank Smith, I regularly had notes and Christmas cards from him letting me know all about the trials and tribulations of a parish priest. They were always hand written until he found the computer. Then it was regular emails and his enjoyment of singing and living in Ely. A clever and very interesting man who I feel privileged to have known and be taught by. Even when he was in Ely he could keep an eye on me in Bosham as his friend was Father Tom, who he visited and looked me up for an early evening sherry. Memories are good, thank you for letting me know, my thoughts are with all of them that are close by.

– Edward James (J SH 1974 – 1983)

Sorry to hear of David Fysh’s passing. Reading his obituary brings back memories of just those musical events, especially the Amazonian opera, the Yanomami. But also, regular choir practise taken at the main chapel at the senior school. In some of his music lessons he would just put on an LP record and make us sit in silence and listen to a whole side of a disc. Saint Saens Carnival of the Animals springs to mind and every time I dig that music out and listen to it, I remember his insistence to just be quiet and listen: 30 minutes or an hour of beautiful art during a busy school day. I remember the passion for music that he instilled in us, and which has remained throughout my life, even as I have pursued music at times as an amateur.

– Edward Taylor (J S 1982 – 1993)