A vicar who worked in Bermuda for more than ten years has died after an 18-month battle with leukaemia.

The Rev. Terry Abernethy, 63, curate at St. John?s Church, Pembroke, from 1972 to 1979 and vicar of St. Mark?s Church, Smith?s, from 1979 to 1984, died yesterday afternoon in England, where he was Rector at Beaulieu, near Southampton.

William Duncan, organist at St. John?s, paid tribute to his friend. He said: ?It?s been a long battle which he has stoically borne. He and his wife made a huge impact here in Bermuda. He was heavily involved in Christian Aid and other outreach activities. He was very outgoing, very warm, very loving and caring. He had all the time in the world for people; that was why he was so successful.?

He said Tony Pettit, lay reader at St. John?s, and his wife Marjorie, who runs the church?s youth choir, were visiting Mr. Abernethy, who was Welsh, at the time of his death.

Mr. Abernethy is survived by his wife Sue and sons Matthew, 36, and Howard, 32.