A long-serving minister of Paisley Abbey has sadly passed away following an illness aged 69.
Reverend Alan Birss, who was minister at the church for more than 32 years, sadly passed away on Friday, December 9.
Rev Birss had been diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer in late September and had been battling and “persevering” with palliative treatment.
He passed away at home in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, with wife Carol by his side, after suffering what is believed to have been an internal haemorrhage.
Posting on Facebook, wife Carol said: “This is a notice which is for us devastating to have to publish.
“It is with much sadness that we write to advise that Alan passed away on Friday 9th of December at home in Aboyne with Carol by his side.
“He had been diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer late September and had been battling and persevering with palliative treatment.
“Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, he succumbed to the illness, after suffering what is believed to be a massive internal haemorrhage.
“We are incredibly grateful for the immense love and all the prayers that have been given to all of us these last months. Alan was quite overcome, but greatly strengthened by this.
“We will all miss Alan so much. He was the most wonderful of husbands and the most loving of fathers. Our lives will never be the same without this very special man. He is now at peace with the God he loved and served all his life.”
Born in Aberdeenshire and educated at St Andrew’s University, where he achieved a degree in English Literature, and then a Bachelor of Divinity at the famous New College at the University of Edinburgh, Mr Birss came from a churchgoing family.
He was due to leave his charge at the 12th century church on June 7, 2020. But he postponed his retirement due to the Covid pandemic and conducted his last service in Paisley in August 2020.
During his last service, Rev Birss thanked his wife Carol, who worked closely alongside him at the Abbey, managing the gift shop.
He also talked about the wonderful people he had been privileged to work with all through the years, in particular the young people involved with the abbey through its choir and Scout group.
At the time, Rev Birss said: “There is so much that we will miss after over 32 years in the Abbey. It has been a great privilege to be part of the Abbey’s incredible story and to have been upheld by the prayers and love of so many.
“We will miss the Abbey so much, but it will remain in our hearts.”
Rev Dr Peter McEnhill, Presbytery Clerk for Clyde Presbytery paid tribute to Alan, he said: "The Presbytery of Clyde was extremely saddened to hear of the sudden death of our former colleague, the Rev Alan Birss, formerly Minister of Paisley Abbey where he served with distinction for thirty two years.
"Alan was much loved by his congregation which he led through changing times with great skill and discernment.
"He was also a much respected and admired figure by many of the civic institutions of Paisley with which the Minister of the Abbey engages as part of their civic ministry to the town.
"As a colleague he was wise, soft- spoken and discerning in his judgements, and he served Presbytery well in many capacities over many years.
"He had real gifts for the structure of liturgy and meaningful prayer and served the Church of Scotland nationally on the former Panel of Worship and as Convenor of the Worship and Doctrine task group.
"He and his wife Carol were enjoying a wonderful retirement in Aboyne – now tragically foreshortened.
"Carol and the family remain very much in our thoughts and prayers at this time. The Service of Thanksgiving for Alan’s life will take place in Paisley Abbey on December 21, at 11.15am.
"We commend Alan into the care of the God, remembering him with great affection. May God grant him a ‘safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last."
The funeral service will be at Paisley Abbey on Wednesday, December 21, at 11.15am followed by a private cremation.
There will also be a thanksgiving service to be held in Aboyne in the new year. Alan leaves behind wife Carol and children Sean and Brodie.
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
