Joan Humphryes JOAN Margaret Humphryes (81) lived on the Ashford Road, Bearsted for over 40 years. Born as Joan


Burr in Kings- ley Road, Joan attended the local girls’ technical school and worked at Len Cabinet Works in Gabriel’s Hill before marrying husband of over 60 years, Brian. The couple have one son, Paul. Brian spent over two seasons as Maidstone United’s first choice goalkeeper and worked for Reed’s Paper, a job that took the couple through seven house moves around the country until he returned as worksmanager for Reed’s inAylesford. The couple’s previous homes


had includedBirmingham, Chel- tenham and the Forest of Dean. Brian said: “Joan was a lovely person: quiet, gentle and very supportive of others. I have a houseful of cards saying how well loved she was. “We loved to visit National


Trust properties together. Joan was anexcellent pianistwho had qualified to grade eight and loved to play at home. She loved trav- elling and really enjoyed visiting Canada.” Joan leaves her husband, son and her twin sister Jean.


Vic Baker WING leader Vic Baker (81), of Cutbush


and Corrall


Almshouses, College Road, and formerly of St Philip’s Avenue, Maidstone, was an RAF veteran who devoted him- self selflessly to helping oth- ers discover where their relatives had died during the war. Born in Chart Sutton, Vic’s ca-


reer took in working for the es- tates department of Kent County Council, Marleys and Kimberly Clark in Larkfield. He was mar- ried for 49 years to Mavis, and fa- ther to Julie. His truepassion remained with


the RAF; as a boy he had loved watching planes fly to and from Staplehurst. He was known in recent years


for his organisation of the annual Fall of Eagles aviation event on the site of Chickenden Farm, Sta- plehurst, a spectacle that in- volved a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. As a young man he served in


the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, joining theRAF.He served in the special investigations arm of the RAFPolice and instructed others in aircraft recognition. He subsequently served with


40F (Maidstone) Squadron of the Air Cadets. From the early 80s, Vic served


30 Town


We will remember


with the honorary rank of Major in the Royal Canadian Air Force, eventually being promoted to Wing Leader. He gave talks on the history of


the 363rd fighter group, which was based in Staplehurst. Daughter Julie said: “My father


just liked helping people. He worked for Neighbourhood Watch at St Philip’s Avenue and College Road.” Vic was widowed in 2011. He


leaves his daughter, son-in-law David, grandchildren Krystle and John and great-granddaughter Molly.


Thelma Styance THELMA Jayne Styance (67) lived in Barming for 46 years, set- tling therewith husband Brian, a local builder. Born Thelma Parsons, near Bromley, her work included a pe- riod of employment with the Ministry of Defence, near Sevenoaks, and 35 years working in Maidstone for British Home Stores, firstly inWeek Street and later in the Stoneborough Centre (now The Mall). Thelma was mother to Cheryl


andAdrian andspent 35 years in- volved in localGuiding, based in Barming. Brian said: “Thelma loved her


time with the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows and she enjoyed the travelling, and the camps. She was still abseiling in her 60s. It took up lots of her spare time and suited her well because she was an outgoing, giving and very ac- tive person.” Thelma leaves her husband, children and grandchildren Nathan, Samuel, Hannah, Joanne and Leon.


Tommy King THE larger than life story of Shepway’sTommyKing (49) was marked with a lively funeral that included a lengthy cortege of his fellow bikers, with Tommy’s Harley Davidson taking pride of place. Born locally,Tommyworked as


a mechanic and electrician and was known for his work putting up marquees and stages with best friend “Jonah” David Hughes Jones.


Friends and family shared sto-


ries including some relating to Tommy’s unique brand of culi- nary creations, such as pickled sprouts. A serious bike accident in the


1990s had resulted in Tommy losing a leg and one famous story from later years involved a mo- torist running Tommy off his Harley Davidson on the Pilgrims Way, an encounter that led to Tommy’sprosthetic leg falling off. As Tommy said to the motorist


he would “sort it out” the mo- torist passed out. Tommy leaves his father Der-


rick, brother Matthew, sister Sally and nieces Tilly, Gemma, Alice- Rose and Jamie.


Bill Cocker BILL Cocker (71) lived locally for over 40 years, firstly in Park Wood and more recently in Ton- bridge Road, Maidstone. Originally from Eccles, Man- chester, he moved to the area when he and wife of 53 years, Joan, followed her mother to Maidstone. He was well known as a talented bowler who had played for Kent. Trained in construction trades, Bill’s practical and handyman tal- ents allowed himtotakea range of jobs, including work on build- ing sites, re- movals and – in his final job – working for Reed’s Paper Mill. Bill was father to Jeff, Jayne and


Steve. Daughter Jayne Day said: “Hewas a lovely, caring hands-on dad and granddad, who would always help other people. Bill al- ways stood up against injustice. He always thought about others before himself. “He was a quirky inventor who


could come up with practical so- lutions for problems and was well liked and very patient with people.Anumber of people who learned to bowl with him have said how helpful he was.” A life-long Manchester United supporter, Bill never forgot his


roots in Manchester and was a regular in the Blue Door pub, later the Broadway Belle in Park Wood. Bill leaves his wife, children


and grandchildren Aimee, Jason and Grant


Ellis Powell THE tragic death, following an epileptic seizure, of dancer and stage school student Ellis Powell (21) made local headlines and brought tributes from many who knew and admired the young woman from Grove Green. Aformer student of Cornwallis Academy, Ellis was in her final year at Mandy Ellen Performing Arts College in Earl Street, and had progressed to teaching tech- nique to younger students. Elected the academy’s head girl


in 2011, she was tipped for a bright future, and staff at the academy believed her capable of achieving her ambition of ap- pearing on theWest End stage. Mandy Ellen Performing Arts College opened a book of remem- brance next to a photo of Ellis in their reception area and future shows will be dedicated to their star student. Ellis was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of two, but medication and her own will to succeed had ensured it didn’t hold back her ambitions.


Ben Harrison MAIDSTONE’S Ben Harrison (33) was a well-known Scout leader and electronics engineer. His death made local headlines


and led to tributes from many whoknew him. His work had led him to engineering on live music events and in theatres, where his skills with stage lighting were highly valued.Hehad worked for Chord Electronics in East Far- leigh for about 10 years. In a statement released by his parents Adrian and Ann, Ben was described as “loving, cheer- ful and selfless”. A Facebook page in tribute of


Ben received hundreds of mes- sages. A Sunday lunch was held in hismemory at the Holiday Inn, Rochester on January 27.


Alfred Powell PENENDEN Heath’sAlfred Pow- ell died a month after celebrating his 100th birthday. He marked his centenary with


a party for 50 of his family and friends. London born, he could remember both world wars.


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