One of the most renowned and well-loved mission workers in the Catholic world has died at the age of 66. Jesuits throughout the world have been paying tribute to Tony Montfort, who worked at Jesuit Missions (JM) in Wimbledon, South West London, for 44 years.

Born on 1 September 1940, Tony Montfort was educated by the Jesuits in Wimbledon, first at Donhead, then at Wimbledon College. He became an active member of nearby Sacred Heart Jesuit Church, working particularly with young parishioners in the Cub Scouts. His first ambition was to be a chef: he came third in an international catering competition and took great pride in the bronze medal he was awarded by the Queen Mother for catering. But after a period of volunteering with the Society of Jesus, he was asked by Fr Peter Low SJ (at that time, Director of Jesuit Missions) to work full-time in support of the English Jesuits' overseas missions.

On succeeding Fr Low as Director of JM, Tony became known for his enthusiastic and creative management of work and projects. Over the next four decades, he established the Wimbledon office of this work of the British Jesuits as a crucial worldwide support for priests, brothers and lay co-workers working in the missions.

Tony was a respected and popular speaker in parishes in Great Britain, a knowledgeable source for the media, and a tireless fundraiser. During his time as Director, JM negotiated with the creator of the Wombles, Elisabeth Beresford, for the charity to be able to dress supporters running in the London Marathon in the Wimbledon-based characters' costumes: over the past ten years, the JM Wombles have raised over £600,000 and become a regular attraction in the annual event.

The Jesuit Missions office became renowned during Tony Montfort's directorship for its warm welcome and hospitality - especially for overseas visitors. Whether finding a room at short notice for a Jesuit in-transit through London or in cooking a meal for a returning missionary, Tony's generosity and gentleness were known and appreciated worldwide. In particular, Jesuits returning to Britain for health reasons always knew they would be well cared for and the relationship that Tony established with local hospitals, clinics and surgeries ensured they received the very best attention.

On his retirement, the British Jesuit Provincial, Fr Michael Holman SJ, set up the Tony Montfort Fund, which raised almost £30,000 in donations to support projects overseas. Preaching at the Mass to celebrate Tony's 44 years with Jesuit Missions, Fr Holman said:

'Throughout this world and far beyond, the name 'Jesuit Missions' is uttered with esteem, with gratitude and appreciation. The reason is there to be seen in bricks and mortar but far more in so many lives made better by their work … We can be confident that in changing times and possibly in changing ways, it will remain that way because of the energy, the imagination and the generosity of those many friends, benefactors and supporters, led by one man with both vision and generosity for a few years short of half a century. In so many ways, living the vocation of John [the Baptist], 'a lamp alight and shining, giving testimony to the truth'. That man is Tony Montfort …'

Tony Montfort died on 26 June 2007 at St Raphael's Hospice in Cheam, Surrey.

May he rest in peace.

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