Revd Canon John Paul Hoskins (1992)

It was with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of John Paul on 1 April at the age of 50. 

Arriving at Abingdon in 1985 as a 10-year-old from a primary school in Wallingford “JP” was already a well-established musician when I joined the school as a young Director of Music. JP is remembered from that time with much affection as a loyal and dedicated musician who seized every opportunity to perform as a violinist, a pianist and as a singer in our orchestras, chamber music, Chapel Choir and close harmony. He also served as a prefect and possessed a delightfully dry sense of humour. 

At University College, Durham, JP read Politics, and subsequently gained an MLitt following research on St. Augustine. Whilst at Durham, he was variously a Choral Scholar, Organ Scholar, and sang as a Lay Clerk in the Cathedral Choir. Later, he was a Lay Clerk at Guildford Cathedral. He gained degrees in Theology from both Cambridge and Oxford.

After Ordination at Derby Cathedral, he served for a while in Derbyshire, and was then called to be Chaplain to two successive Bishops of Gloucester, and became a Minor Canon at Gloucester Cathedral. After further experience in a Parish, he was then installed as Residentiary Canon and Precentor at Worcester Cathedral.

Much loved by his many friends and colleagues at Worcester and elsewhere, John Paul is greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Liz, and their daughter, Suzanna.

Michael Stinton 

Director of Music 1987-2023