TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-standing and much-loved parish priest, who has died suddenly aged 74.

Father James McCormack, priest at Our Lady of Light and St Osyth Catholic Church in Clacton, died peacefully on Saturday, May 16.

Prayers have been said at masses throughout the Brentwood diocese, which includes Clacton.

Father Jim’s secretary Mary Pearce said he would be much missed by parishioners and many others in the town.

“It has been a dreadful shock,” she said.

“Father Jim was such a generous man with his time – he would never say no to anyone who needed his help, even if it meant he was on the go all the time.

“He was very self-sacrificing.

“We have received lots of condolences from both Catholics and non- Catholics since his death.

“He was very much loved and will be missed dreadfully.”

Father Jim celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination in June last year, having been ordained in 1964 by Bishop Walsh.

He was born in Dublin but has worked all across the area since the 1970s.