AN AVID birdwatcher and devoted parishioner who went out of his way to promote a Cathedral has died.

Kind-hearted Nathaniel Ramanaden, St Asaph Cathedral photographer, died last Friday from pancreatic cancer.

The retired audit commission external auditor, who lived in Old Palace, High Street, often treated Journal and Free Press readers to his vibrant snaps of birds he had captured on camera, including a kingfisher in Prestatyn, a snow bunting and waxwing.

Nathaniel, who ran his own popular flickr account, always strived to protect the birds by not disclosing the exact location of where they had been snapped.

Nathaniel, aged 82, who had son David and daughter Naomi, left Sri Lanka in 1964 after he was thrashed for being Tamil during the civil war. His late brother was Sylvester. He too lived in Sri Lanka but was killed by a stray bullet during the civil war in Sri Lanka in 1974.

Nathaniel, who also had grandchildren Jacob, Abigail and Amelie, was a regular worshipper at the city’s cathedral and often helped promote events by providing photo coverage.

The Revd Canon Rex Matthias, precentor at the Cathedral, said: “Nathaniel was a passionate and dedicated supporter of the Cathedral, in particular the Cathedral Choir and a regular worshipper there. His warmth and presence will be sadly missed in the Cathedral.

“Nathaniel attended services, concerts and events to take photographs to promote the Cathedral, the choir and the parish church.

“His photos were widely used in local newspapers and magazines and generously shared with those associated with the Cathedral.”

Nathaniel’s funeral will be held on February 1 at 11.30am at St Asaph Cathedral.