A cherished retired pastor and music teacher is being mourned by his community after dying in a house fire allegedly lit by his son.

Edward “Ted” Grantham’s body was found after flames tore through his Croydon home in Sydney’s inner west at about 4am on Wednesday.

His 50-year-old son, Christopher Grantham, was arrested later that evening roughly 85 kilometres from the scene and has since been charged with murder.

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According to Grantham’s social media profile, the 80-year-old was a graduate of the University of Sydney, a skilled carillon player, and served as a pastoral assistant with the Presbyterian Church of NSW.

He also contributed to the Presbyterian Church of Australia over many years.

Edward ‘Ted’ Grantham has been fondly remembered by the community following his tragic death. Credit: Facebook

Ted Grantham was a longtime organist. Credit: Facebook

The sudden loss of the longtime church organist and dedicated music teacher has left the local community devastated and in disbelief.

Many have taken to social media to share heartfelt memories and pay tribute to Grantham’s kindness and generosity over the years.

“Such devastating news. Gentle and kind are apt words for Ted,” one commenter wrote.

“I recall with gratitude many afternoons in 2019 when I was a Con student living in Leichhardt, and Ted would generously let me in to the church to practise after him.

“Unfailingly supportive, he would always enquire about the repertoire I was working on, and also enjoyed discussing the best features of the Hunter Baillie organ he knew and loved so thoroughly.”

Another said:

“Very saddened and shocked to hear the terrible news this afternoon. I had the good fortune of meeting Ted twice in my visits to Hunter Baillie, and he was very welcoming and kind. He was incredibly generous in giving many organists the opportunity to play the Hill organ at his church.”

Someone else shared that they had regular contact with him in the months before his death:

“He was always very welcoming to and encouraging of young players, and as a result I was able to see a number of them introduced to the 1890 Hill organ that he played every Sunday,” they wrote.

“I wasn’t surprised when Ted confessed to me that his favourite time of the week was when he was sitting at the organ playing for those services.”

Another shared:

“He was a loving husband, caring Dad, and a mean keyboard player of the organ and Sydney Uni’s carillon. He was my minister some years ago … A terribly nice man, a good soul — this is amazingly sad,” another commented.

Ted Grantham has been remembered as a generous and dedicated teacher. Credit: Facebook

A long-time friend reflected on the loss:

“It is the deepest sadness that I learnt today of the death of Ted Grantham. I find it hard to come to terms with the tragic circumstances of the death of a friend of over 40 years.”

Grantham’s wife, Anne, also a retired teacher, was not at home when the fire broke out.

She allegedly left the house approximately three hours before the blaze began.

Christopher Grantham was on the run before police found him on board a NSW Central Coast train, allegedly carrying a machete concealed down his pants.

He faces charges including a domestic violence-related offence of destroying or damaging property with intent to endanger life, as well as armed robbery.

Christopher was formally refused bail at Gosford Local Court on Thursday morning and has been remanded in custody.

He is due to appear in court again on July 30.