Fr. Anthony Owen.
Tony Owen arrived at Cotton in September, 1932, and very soon became known as a very good pianist of the sort that could lead singing with great success. He was soon in demand for concerts - and not only for his own form or house - and he was always generous in giving his time. Later he began to play the organ and so began his work for music at Cotton, which he was to resume with such success in his years on the Staff.
He was always a hard worker and showed special talents in the mathematical and scientific subjects.
At games too it was hard work and application that brought him success. He was probably best at Athletics, especially the middle and longer distances, up to CrossCountry, where he could be relied on to be in the places.
He became a reliable and at times very successful fast bowler, gaining his Full Colours in his last year. He was handicapped at ball games by extremely short sight and he always maintained that he batted best without glasses when he did not waste time looking for the ball. Was it not he who, in later years, struck the lowest six ever seen on the Seconds pitch? When playing for the Staff against the Under 15 he hit a ball which never rose above shoulder height, but carried the wall and landed far into Chapel meadow.
Strangely enough, in the light of what was to happen later, he never had a regular place in the 1st XV, but he was good enough to be called on when regular players were injured, and played so well that he was awarded his Half Colours in that season.
After five happy and successful years at Cotton, he moved to Oscott in 1937 and took a full part in all its activities. His talent for music had greater scope in the fuller liturgical life of the seminary and his organ playing - under the guidance of Father Connolly - gave him, and others, many hours of enjoyment.
He had a good mind and enjoyed his studies, especially the teaching of Frank Davis. In his last year he was Dean, and revealed new and unexpected talents on the stage in the name part of `The Housemaster'.
As his Oscott course came to its close, Archbishop Williams told him that he would like him to go to Cambridge and prepare himself for teaching on the Science side at Cotton. Not an easy task, to resume the study of Maths and Science after six years, but the Archbishop was understanding - he was to enjoy, and benefit as much as possible from Cambridge and not be too obsessed by the studies. Advice which he took, and thoroughly enjoyed his
three years. In his second year he played in one of the wartime games against oxford - for which Blues were not awarded - but next year he was the man in possession - prop forward - and retained his place. He played in the first post-war game for the victorious Cambridge side against Oxford at Twickenham on December 4th, 1945: the first and so far the only Rugby Blue from Cotton. And still he gained his Honours degree in Natural Sciences.
After a year at Ampleforth, he returned to Cotton in time to celebrate Bill Dunne's Silver Jubilee and began his twenty-two years there. For his first three years he was assistant master in St Thomas's. After twelve months he took on the duty of Choir Master and all that entailed in the life of the School.
He was a very good teacher, understanding the difficul
ties of others, but always demanding good and careful
work, setting a high standard for those who were capable of it. Coaching games did not seem to appeal greatly to him. His great love was mountain climbing and he kept himself very fit with this in mind.
In 1968 he kept the Silver Jubilee of his ordination and one more year saw him enter a new sphere of work; that of Parish Priest of Darlaston. This was the work which he had envisaged during his preparation for the priesthood and he began it with great enthusiasm. Again it was not an easy transition, but he soon found his feet and became a muchloved parish priest. His parish of Darlaston was near his home parish of Bloxwich and he always felt a great affinity with the people of Darlaston with a deep understanding of their thoughts and feelings - especially in these last days of such severe and long-standing unemployment.
The parish was in need of a permanent church, and this he built, spending immense care on the building and its furnishing so that it should be a worthy Eucharistic centre of the parish. His people supported him unfailingly and soon the church was free of debt and, to his great joy, was consecrated in 1983.
During the last six years of his life he was afflicted by ill-health. First his eyesight; suffering from a detached retina. Long and painful treatment was of no avail and he effectively lost the sight of one eye. Later the cancer which was to end his life revealed itself. He faced major surgery with great bravery and made a good recovery for a time.
But a recurrence left him in no doubt that he had not long to live. One might expect a priest to face death with a certain equanimity, but Tony Owen was really exceptional. He was so open and matter-of-fact about it, that it was easy and natural to talk to him about it and it made visiting him a joy right to the end. All through his last illness he welcomed visitors to the presbytery - thinking of their comfort first; always a smile and, when he was well enough, an invitation to a meal. He continued his work for his parish, visiting the sick as long as he was able and saying Mass whenever he could. He said his last Mass on June 29th forty-two years to the day from his ordination. His last three weeks he spent in his presbytery in the midst of the people and parish he had come to love so much. He died on July 24th and his Requiem was on the 29th. The final hymn was "Battle is o'er" a reminder to all his pupils of Easter and Resurrection. May he rest in peace.
DJM
1 2
