The Order of St John is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of The Rt Hon the Lord Vestey GCVO GCStJ DL. Lord Vestey was Lord Prior of our Most Venerable Order from 1991 until 2002, and one of our longest serving Lords Prior. He helped in shaping the future of our organisation into the modern worldwide Charity we are today.
Lord Vestey was a distinguished and much-loved member of the family of the Order of St John, having served as Chancellor of the Order from 1988 until his appointment as Lord Prior. He led the transition from the Grand Priory to the establishment of the Priory of England and the Islands and of our Grand Council with the governance of the Order, involving all of the Priories across the world.
Lord Vestey was a great leader of the Order and his ever-present enthusiasm for all manner of things that St John did was inspiring to all those he met. So many St John people from across our many Establishments still fondly recount meetings with him and the lasting positive and inspiring impression he left on them.
Professor Mark Compton AM GCStJ, Lord Prior
Lord Vestey was also a long-time supporter of the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem.
Lord Vestey made a wonderful contribution to the Eye Hospital throughout his lifetime. He was an admirable Patron and ambassador of our cause and mission and will be greatly missed.
Sir Andrew Cash OBE KStJ, Chair of the St John Eye Hospital Group
As a Bailiff Grand Cross Lord Vestey leaves a lasting legacy of devotion and dedication to our Order, the work of St John and the importance of what we do to make the world a better place through our work.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
