A former Jesuit priest who rose to become Huddersfield’s chief nursing officer has died.
Mr Eddie Jefferson, 73, of Meltham, served as the chief nursing officer for the former Huddersfield Health Authority for many years.
He had been head-hunted from the south of England to work in health care in Huddersfield and went on to serve with the authority for more than 20 years.
A funeral service is to take place today at St Patrick’s RC Church, Huddersfield, followed by cremation.
Mr Jefferson, who was born on Tyneside, was brought up in a very strict Catholic family and became a priest.
Lifelong friend Mike Hall said; “He was a very dedicated man and had wonderful multi-llingual skills, so much so that he could chant Mass in Latin.
“He did so at the funeral of his wife Nancy a year ago”.
Mr Jefferson left the priesthood after the death of his father as he had siblings who needed his support.
He had trained as a nurse during his time in the priesthood and resumed that career. He worked in London and the south before moving to Huddersfield.
Mr Hall said; “He rose very quickly to become chief officer and was remembered by many as a bit of a firebrand.
“He served as a magistrate in Huddersfield for 30 years and was regarded by many as a man with good old-fashioned values”.
When he stepped down from the bench in 2010, Mr Jefferson talked of his frustration at the justice system and said he felt that punishment had been relegated.
Away from work, he was a keen horse-rider and also bred and showed Great Dane dogs.
For several years he worked as a travel escort with the Examiner Travel Circle.
After the death of his wife, he suffered four heart attacks but never stopped singing the praises of the health care he received in Huddersfield.
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