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We share with sadness that Fr Bob Styles SJ, who had devoted 66 years to religious life, died peacefully on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, at the Corpus Christi Jesuit Community in Boscombe. He was 88 years old.

George Robert Styles was born in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, on 6 December 1936, and educated at Bedford School. After being received into the Catholic Church, he undertook late vocation studies at Osterley before entering the Society of Jesus at Roehampton in 1959.

Following his First Vows, he studied Philosophy at Heythrop in Oxfordshire. He then entered a stage of Jesuit formation known as Regency — a period of full-time apostolic work, often in teaching — during which he taught English at Stonyhurst College. He later returned to Stonyhurst as a teacher and was ordained priest at Farm Street Church in London in 1969.

In 1976, Fr Bob completed Tertianship, often called the “third year of novitiate” — a final period of spiritual renewal and integration before taking Final Vows. His Tertianship took place in St Louis, USA. That same year he earned a Diploma in Education from Digby Stuart College, and in1977 was appointed Deputy Head at Stonyhurst. He took his Final Vows in 1978.

From 1983, he served as Catholic Chaplain at London University on Gower Street. He then held chaplaincy roles in Manchester from1990 and in Birmingham from 1992.

In June 1997, Fr Bob was appointed Parish Priest in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, where he remained for over a decade until moving to the Jesuit community at Farm Street, London. A description of his ministry during this period, from the website of the shared Anglican and Catholic church in Much Hadham, captures something of his vision and legacy.

His ministry, which had previously been shaped by the demands of schools and university chaplaincy, deepened his conviction that mankind must rediscover the strength of beauty and of reflection in silence calmed by the rhythms of nature — a vision he brought to life through the creation of a garden of reflection at Ash Meadow, on the site once intended for the Church of the Holy Cross. The garden remains open to people of all faiths and none who seek tranquillity.

Fr Bob was known for his insight and good judgement, and for a forthright style of communication when he felt something was amiss, but any sharpness was short-lived, as he was not one to hold resentment. A former colleague at Stonyhurst recalled how he once resolved a serious disciplinary issue with calm, perceptive interviewing, insight, and decisive action within a single day.

After his long ministry in Much Hadham, Bob moved to the Farm Street Jesuit community in London. Having lived many years alone, the change to community life was not easy for him. As he grew older and frailer, he faced the transition with quiet determination, making a real effort to connect and contribute. Those who lived alongside him remember his special concern for anyone he felt was being treated unfairly, whether this was some of the poor who would appear at reception at 114 Mount Street, or members of the domestic staff who were in need.

Around 2017, the Connaught, then seeking planning permission for pavement dining, invited members of the Jesuit community to support them by accepting a free meal with a “companion of their choice.” While not many took up the offer, Fr Bob was certainly willing. He invited a former receptionist named Marta to join him. Bob looked elegant in his white jacket, Marta dressed up specially, and they reportedly had a wonderful evening together.

During this time, Fr Bob shared many of his personal reflections through a blog he maintained from 2015 to 2018. Written as a private series of thoughts on the Church, faith, and current affairs, the blog was intended to encourage thoughtful discussions. It remains available online for those who wish to explore it: fatherbobsj.wordpress.com.

Fr Bob lived in Edinburgh for a couple of years during the COVID period. He was an active presence in the Jesuit community there, remembered especially for joining the Thursday evening Clap for Carers outside Sacred Heart Church, where he rang bells in solidarity with NHS workers.

A fellow Jesuit who journeyed with him from the novitiate through later years in Edinburgh recalled: "He enjoyed having his leg pulled — at least I hope so, as I pulled it often! He always seemed to enjoy the badinage and gave as good as he got. He was hard-working and dedicated tohis vocation, and abounded in sincerity. He could be fiercely against a particular apostolate until he was asked to do it. Then he would become a fierce defender of what he was doing. He will be much missed by those who knew him"

In 2021, Fr Bob moved to the Corpus Christi Jesuit Community in Boscombe, where he died peacefully.

May he rest in peace.

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Service information

The Requiem Mass of Fr Bob Styles will take place at Corpus Christi Church, Boscombe, at 12.30pm on Wednesday 3 September. It willl be livestreamed here: https://corpuschristiboscombe.org.uk/watch-mass-live/

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