LAST respects are to be paid to a retired priest at his funeral in York.

The Reverend Dr Gerald Higginson died peacefully on Sunday, aged 78.

Dr Higginson first moved to the city 43 years ago when he began his role as a physicist at the University of York, where he stayed for 19 years before becoming a full-time priest of Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate and St Mary' Church, in 1984.

Dr Higginson began studying as a physicist at the University of Keele when it opened in 1950.

After gaining a degree and being awarded the university's physics prize, he went on to do research work and obtained a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Birmingham University.

He spent eight years lecturing at Queen's University, Belfast, before moving to York in 1965 with his wife, June, and his four children, when the university's physics department opened.

Eight years later, in 1973, he was appointed Provost of Vanbrugh College then in 1976, Dr Higginson was one of the first two men in the Diocese of York to enter the Auxillary Pastoral Ministry, and was an unpaid part-time curate at St Mary's Bishophill.

In 1984 Dr Higginson retired as Provost of the University of York's Vanbrugh College to become a full-time priest of Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate and St Mary's Church.

He was licensed by the Bishop of Selby, the Rev Clifford Barker, and installed by the then Archdeacon of York, the Venerable Leslie Stanbridge.

Dr Higginson was also a chaplain to TS York - the land-based training ship of the York's Sea cadets.

He leaves a widow, June, two daughters Susan and Jane, two sons, Simon and Justin, and his three grandchildren, Jenna, Richard and Alex.

Family and friends will pay tribute to Dr Higginson at a funeral service to be held at Requiem Mass will be held at All Saints' Church, North Street, York, on Monday, at 11.30am, followed by interment at York Cemetery.

Family flowers only, but donations can be made to All Saints' Church.