GRAVE OF THE MONTH

John Hussey - buried ^4th September 1911
Schoolmaster & Choirmaster

John Hussey was born in Bucknghamshire n 1834 Following severa years as headmaster of Lambourn International Schools he moved to Newbury, opening a piano shop in the Market Place with his wife and indulging his love of music. He became choirmaster at St John’s Church where his “powerful bass voice” led the singing.*

John also loved ecclesiastica history and wa just as muc a home n the Roman Catholic church as in the Parish church, or in St John’s, being welcomed and respected by a denominations.

Although he was a scholar of high regard n Latin and Greek, he also related well to the young boys of the town who benefited from his private tuition. He used to say that “a boy with a shilling, a knife and a piece of string in his pocket was equipped for the ordinary emergencies of life ”.*

On his death at the age of 77 he was described as a man of patience, kindness and humility. His tombstone, designed by himself, had already been erected n the cemetery during his life, leaving only the date of his death to be cut in the stone

Although the cross is now lying beside the stone, rather than standing on top of it, it is still possible to read some of the Latin inscription which is symbolic of John’s love for the cassics: