WHEN the Rev James Purdon Neill retired as vicar in December 2008, he chose to stay living in the community to which he was so devoted.

Now people in St Ann's are mourning the loss of 'Reverend Jim', who died at the Queen's Medical Centre on Saturday, after a short illness.

Mr Neill, 68, a father-of-four, was the longest-serving vicar in the history of St Ann with Emmanuel Church.

He played a huge part in the campaign to keep Huntingdon Primary School open after it was earmarked for closure in 1998. He was also governor at the school for more than 30 years, before retiring in December 2008.

Diana Owen, head teacher at the school, said: "He was a highly respected member of the St Ann's community and had a passion for the people of St Ann's. In his role as governor and friend of the school, Jim always believed that our children deserved the best. He will be sadly missed."

Among those to pay tribute to Mr Neill was his successor at the church, the Rev Karen Rooms who said: "Jim was a well loved pastor. People have told me he was there for them at all times of the day or night.

"It is a privilege for me to build on his legacy of faithful ministry here."

Upon retiring after 32 years in St Ann's, Mr Neill said he stayed there for so long because of the people. He said at the time: "I've lived in places like Cambridge, Kent, the Lake District, Yorkshire, but there's no place like St Ann's, Nottingham, as far as I'm concerned."

Mr Neill was a curate in Kendal from 1964-68, and a chaplain in Sheffield from 1968-71. He also worked in Mansfield from 1971-77, before moving to St Ann's.

The Bishop of Sherwood, the Rt Rev Tony Porter, said: "We join with Jim Neill's family and many friends in grieving his loss but thank God for a man whose life and ministry were very special to St Ann's and Nottingham."

Mr Neill shared some testing times with the neighbourhood, including the shooting of 14-year-old Danielle Beccan. Although he did not conduct Danielle's funeral, he provided pastoral support to several branches of her family – and still visited some relatives up until his retirement.

Mr Neill also led the funerals of Joan and Joan Stirland, who were shot dead at their Lincolnshire bungalow in 2004. The Stirland family used to live in Mr Neill's parish before they went to Carlton and then the east coast.

Cynthia James, chairwoman of the Gains Tenants' and Residents' Association in St Ann's, said: "Everybody knew Jim. He was very active in the community, not just as a vicar but also as a school governor. He was a friend of the community."

His funeral service is at St Ann with Emmanuel Church, Robin Hood Chase, at 1.15pm on Monday, February 8, followed by cremation at Bramcote Crematorium at 2.45pm.

caroline.lowbridge@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk