Tributes paid to Norwich preacher and writer
 Oak Grove Chapel in Norwich has announced the death of its father figure, well known local broadcaster, writer and preacher, John Breeze.
John, who was an elder of the church for many years, died peacefully in his sleep on December 26 while at his family’s traditional Christmas gathering at Letton Hall in mid-Norfolk.
John, who was in his early 70s, was a life-long member of Oak Grove. “He was a real local lad who did good,” said church pastor Darren Woodward. “He was a leader, our finest teacher, a pastor and to many a brilliant friend who’s heart of service has changed the lives of thousands.
“His ministry was not just confined to Oak Grove either, but regional and truly massive in its influence. We really appreciate the gift that God put amongst us. As a church we send our love to his wife Pearl and the rest of the family and we look to God to see the real legacy of this man called John, a real Catton Grover and Soldier of Christ.
John was a long-time contributor to Radio Norfolk’s Thought for the Day slot and a mainstay writer for Good News for Norwich and, more recently, Network Norwich.
Good News editor, Keith Morris, said: “We could always rely on John to come up with some great ideas for stories and he always knew what was going on in the Norwich Christian community. We will miss both him and his writing.”
Along with Pearl, John worked for many years with the Living Water Festival and Christian holiday company MasterSun.
Please leave your memories and thoughts about John below. |
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| | Val Sheldon (Guest) | 30/12/2007 19:09 | | I was extremely saddened to hear of John's death. I have known and loved him all my life,and thank him for the support he gave to me and my mum and dad. Whenever I visit Oak Grove I will miss his welcome and his Christian hugs. These gestures meant so much to me. My love, my thoughts and prayers go out to you Pearl, Joy, Ali and the grandchildren.
| | | Ruth MacCormack (Guest) | 30/12/2007 19:53 | | To Pearl and the family, our hearts and love are with you.....John was an amazingly special and gifted man who was as much at home with a dustpan and brush in his hands as he was preaching and pastoring to all who knew him.He will be much missed by my wee family. Love Ruth, Hazel, Zoe and James
| | | Margaret Proudfoot (Guest) | 31/12/2007 16:33 | | It was a privilege to get to know John when stewarding at Living Water. He was a very wise man, & I had a great respect for him & Pearl. He will be sadly missed. My condolences to Pearl & the family.
| | | John and Meg, Sue and Chris (Guest) | 01/01/2008 11:31 | | Our love to the family who lived across the road in 1961 and who have shared our lives, our children and our faith, our times of joy and our times of sadness.
So many good memories. xxxx
| | | John and Sue Ritter (Guest) | 01/01/2008 18:53 | | I looked up from my cryptic crossword just the other day and said to John, 'Joy's dad would have known the answer to that one!'. When Joy and Andy were in the Reps with us, we often had John and Pearl to stay and I have very fond memories of sitting in the sun lounge with John Breeze showing me the best way to work on anagrams and cryptic clues! He was always fun, always a very caring spiritual man and he will be missed for so many reasons. Our love and prayers go out to Pearl, Joy, Andy, and the Breeze family.
| | | Mark Tuma (Guest) | 02/01/2008 10:35 | | So much has already been said in the comments above, but from we as a family and as part of NYFC have been privileged to know John and see in him a man who lived for God, and with such gentleness and wisdom.
| | | Kevin Gotts (Guest) (Guest) | 03/01/2008 13:01 | | I knew John from Festival Norwich, in particular as a fellow writer (and friend) for Good News for Norwich. What a man of principle and belief, coupled with courtesy, joy, knowledge and creative skills.
A humble and great man, who is now taking his place in Paradise.
| | | Gail Halley (Guest) | 03/01/2008 21:03 | | Like everyone else, I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of John's sudden death. It's been delightful to meet up with John again at recent Good News meetings and I so appreciated his spiritual depth, and interesting and thought-provoking slant on things; he and Pearl always seemed to express the warmth and encouragement that one so hopes are characteristics of the Body of Christ. With love to Pearl and the rest of the family.
| | | Tina Bowling (Guest) | 04/01/2008 11:40 | | We were very sad to hear of John's death, as only on Christmas Day, I was speaking to my father, telling him that if he spoke to John about biblical history, then his understanding would be enhanced enormously, as mine has been through his great gift of speaking. Our family will miss him in church, he had boundless energy and constantly amazed me by how much he fitted into his life which was lived through God. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with Pearl, Ali, Joy and families at this sad time.
| | | Juliet Coombes (Guest) | 07/01/2008 14:26 | | I can remember Johns warm hugs and wise words from when I was only a little girl and I will never forget how much support both of you showed me and Simon in our darkest times.I will miss John's welcoming smile and open heart as well as his quirky sense of humour and amazing stories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Love, Juliet and Simon xxx
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