Stained glass artist Harry Harvey dies aged 88

Harry Harvey, 88, who died on January 29, lives on in his work in 70 Yorkshire churches, as well as York’s Guildhall and the Astronomical Clock in York Minster.

Mr Harvey was brought up in Birmingham and moved to York in 1947 at the invitation of respected peer Harry Stammers, who had been asked to revive the York School Of Glass Painting.

He eventually opened up his own studio and his assistants, Sep Waugh and Ann Sotheran, have themselves become renowned for their work, owning studios in the city.

His artistic flair did not stop there though. He also had a flair for fashion, said his widow, Margo Harvey. “He always had an interest in fashion and thought men wore rather sombre clothes,” she said. “I’ve seen him turn a piece of deck chair material into a perfect bow tie.”

Mr Harvey was also a keen cricketer, and enjoyed gardening, cooking and walking holidays, she said.

Mr Harvey, who lived in Haxby and most recently in Wigginton, coached and played for Clifton Alliance Cricket Club, and helped during the refurbishment of its clubhouse, planting bushes from seedlings from his own garden.

“He was still gardening this summer, planting beans and making plum jam and marmalade,” said Mrs Harvey.

She said she used to enjoy helping at Mr Harvey’s studio.

“It was so nice to be involved in it. I never quite knew who was going to be sitting on the settee when I came home from work. Often an archbishop!”

Mrs Harvey, a nursing sister, found when she met Mr Harvey they both had a mutual love for dogs.

They used to take home rescue dogs, usually two at a time, until the last few years.

But her husband’s love of dogs was well known in the community and neighbours would bring theirs round to visit, she said.

Mr Harvey is survived by his brother, Reg, two sons, Michael and Jeffrey from a previous marriage to Eileen, granddaughter Katherine and great granddaughter Mina.

His funeral was taking place today, at St Nicholas Church, Wigginton.