The Revd Maurice Arthur Whittaker: 1932-2026 

'Maurice was a diligent pastor, caring for and visiting his people as well as leading the congregation in worship, study, fellowship and mission... an incredible record of service, of devotion, of husbandly love and fatherly and grandfatherly care, which were his gifts to the world'  

Maurice was born in Stockton on Tees, the much-loved only child of Arthur and Lily. He had a typical 1930s upbringing, and it was at Richard Hind Central School, Stockton-on-Tees, where he met Shirley who was also a student. 

Maurice went to work as a draughtsman in a drawing office and trained as a structural engineer. He was then assigned to Cyprus with the Royal Engineers for National Service, where he served as Clerk of Works and developed a passion for tennis. On return, he was a site engineer working in South Wales. The couple settled down during this time they were engaged at 20 old and married at 21. Gillian was born in 1955.

It was also during this period, at the age of 20, that Maurice found himself being drawn to Jesus Christ through the example and influence of one of his colleagues at work. This new faith directed the course of his life and brought with it a call to the ordained ministry which he followed despite having the unheard-of circumstance at the time of a wife and a child!

In those unenlightened days the expectation was that an ordinand would not marry until they had finished training, and Rawdon Baptist College was never really sure what to do with a student who had a place in college life and a family home across the Aire valley. Despite initial rejection by the Baptist Union, he did complete his training between 1955 and 1960. 

Maurice was called to his first pastorate in Fleckney, Leicestershire, where Alison was born in 1964. He followed then at Hunslet, Leeds for three years, Wisbech in Cambridgeshire for seven years and to Bordesley Green, Birmingham for ten years. He then went to South Shields for nine years, followed by Rushden Northamptonshire for five years and finally to a three-year pastorate in Willingham, back in Cambridgeshire, before retirement. During all that, Maurice also managed to qualify as a teacher and to act as chaplain at several hospitals.

Maurice was a diligent pastor, caring for and visiting his people as well as leading the congregation in worship, study, fellowship and mission. He shared in the joys and sorrows of countless lives, and endured his own alongside them. There were times of strength, growth and celebration, but also the times of challenge and exhaustion that come with leadership and responsibility. Maurice followed his Lord through all these experiences, and they shaped the man he was and the man he became.

Maurice and Shirley retired to Uttoxeter in 1998 to be close to their grandchildren. He continued to serve many congregations, Methodist and Baptist alike, in the area, and only stopped preaching a few short years ago. His love for God and God’s people never diminished and was appreciated by many for his support and wisdom, his less than angelic sense of humour and his obvious devotion to his family.

The last few years were a time of gradually deterioration for Maurice where he was looked after in a care home.  He has trodden the path of what is now called “Old Old-age”, but those limitations do not rob Maurice of the incredible record of service, of devotion, of husbandly love and fatherly and grandfatherly care which were his gifts to the world. 

A service of thanksgiving was held at Uttoxeter Methodist Church on 1 May 2026 which was attended by family and friends.