Father Mike remembered
Francis Michael Strathern, fondly known as Father Mike, ministered to many people who took comfort from his wisdom, experience and compassion.
Respected Brakpan community figure Francis Michael Strathern, fondly known as Father Mike, died on Sunday at the age of 93.
Strathern, who was a retired Anglican rector and World War Two veteran, was born on November 15, 1923, in Ladybrand, in the Free State.
His father, Padre Robert Fairly Strathern OBE, served on the dominion executive of the British Empire Service League and established the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (Moths) during the depression years in Bethlehem, in the Free State.
He served as a chaplain to the Allied Armed Forces during World War Two.
Mike Strathern joined the Allied Forces as a gunner at the age of 18 and served in the Western Desert and Italy during World War Two.
He married Betty November 24, 1956, and they had two children, Paul and Mary.
Prior to entering the ministry, Strathern worked as a chartered accountant.
During 1973 he was called to the ministry and relocated the family to Grahamstown, where he completed his theological studies during 1974 and 1975.
Strathern was ordained as a deacon at the end of 1975 and served under the then Dean of Johannesburg, at St Mary’s Cathedral, in Johannesburg, the then Father, later Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
He was ordained as an Anglican priest at the end of 1976.
Strathern and his family moved to Brakpan in December 1978, where he served as the rector of St Peter’s Anglican Church until 1986.
During his time as rector, he founded St Augustine’s Anglican Church for the congregation in Geluksdal.
Since moving to Brakpan, Strathern has been a member of the Brakpan Rotary Club, Old Bill of Cosy Corner Shellhole, Padre of the Cosy Corner Shellhole, treasurer at the Moth Cottages, where he lived for many years, and chairman of the Brakpan South African Legion.
He was a Moth for over 65 years, and in 2013 was appointed life president of the Brakpan branch of the SA Legion.
Although he had long since retired from the religious ministry, Strathern was still very active in church and community affairs.
He ministered to many people who took comfort from his wisdom, experience and compassion.
Betty, his beloved wife, passed away in 2005, after a short illness.
In 2007, at the age of 83, Strathern married Dawn, and the couple enjoyed six years of marriage before Dawn died in 2013.
Strathern is survived by his children Paul and Mary; four grandchildren, Michael, Gareth, Kyle and Kayla; two great grandchildren, Mikayla and Keyara, and his only sibling and younger brother, John.
The funeral service will be held on Friday at 2pm at St Peter’s Anglican Church.
Also read:
Father Mike Strathern turns 90
Legionnaire’s select committee
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