ONE of Ryedale’s best-known clergymen has died aged 90.

For 27 years, Reverend Ronald Treasure was vicar of St Michael’s Parish Church, Malton, and while he spent about 40 years in the Church, he continued to support Ryedale parishes during 20 of his 25 years of retirement.

Born in Shropshire, Mr Treasure served in the Coldstream Guards during the Second World War.

After the war, he attended Oxford University and then the Cudesdon Theology College where he studied and trained for the ministry.

Mr Treasure’s first post was curate at St Mary’s Parish Church, Whitby, where he spent four years before moving to the parish of Orchard Park, Hull.

In 1962, he became vicar of Malton and retired in 1989.

His son, Will, said his father continued to be active as a minister when he retired to Kirkbymoorside, taking part in services and visiting parishioners.

“My father had a real passion for steam railways and locomotives,” said Will. “He was also a keen wood craftsman and gardener. He lived a life of service and faithfulness. Our family have received more than 100 cards, many expressing his care, generosity, patience, tolerance and love for the many people he worked with in his ministry and they loved him back. As a father he was certainly a generous and lovng man.”

Mr Treasure leaves his wife, Eliza, to whom he had been married for 65 years, six children and 17 grandchildren.

His funeral was held yesterday (Tuesday) at All Saints Church, Kirkbymoorside.