The Catholic community in High Wycombe has been left grieving after the death of a much-loved priest.

Father Tom, 91, was the oldest Catholic priest in the Northampton Diocese, and clergy and parishioners at St Augustine’s Catholic Church in Amersham Hill have paid tribute, calling him a “source of much comfort” to people.

He was born Thomas Feighan in Ireland in 1925 and served at St Augustine’s for 34 years, during which he was the Catholic Chaplain to Wycombe hospital.

Speaking about Father Tom, Sheila Mawhood, who has known him since the 1970s, said: “He was an institution in his own right.

“He was a source of much comfort and support to many people, not only to Catholics but other patients in the wards as well.

“His cheerful nature won everyone over.”

He received a long service award from Graham Ellis, chairman of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, in 2010 and proudly wore his NHS badge, according to Ms Mawhood.

She said he also had a “fine singing voice” and was the star singer at the church’s annual summer concerts. He was assistant priest for 33 years to parish priest Father Willie Strain.

He died at Wexham Hospital last Friday (July 15).

His funeral will be held at St Augustine’s on July 25 at noon, followed by a burial at Wycombe Cemetery.