Bill Tucker BILL Tucker (62) will be re- membered as one of the first joint-man- agers of Maid- stone Invicta (now Maid- stone United) after the club reformed fol- lowing the collapse of the previous Maidstone United outfit. The reformed club joined the


Kent County League. Bill and colleague Jack Whitely managed them to theDivision Four cham- pionship in their first season, along with wins in the West Kent Challenge Shield and Tun- bridgeWells Charity Cup. League reorganisation placed Maidstone in the second tier the following season, and they won another championship and the Kent Junior Cup, as well as finishing runners up in the West Kent Challenge Shield. During his tenure in the Maidstone dugout, Bill earned five west section manager of the month awards and was manager of the season in 1994/95. In his playing days, Bill was


a free-scoring centre forward with local teams and a hard- working roofer. He went on to work maintaining properties for Richard Ashby. Married for 44 years to Zena, Bill was father to Sadie, Lorraine, Christopher, Valerie and Joanne. Maidstone United’s website includes a tribute from Brian Reynolds who worked with Bill for many years: “Bill was com- mitted and dedicated to Maid- stone Invicta, spending many hours on the upkeep of the ground and taking on any task to ensure the smooth running of the team.” Bill’s involvement with Maidstone Invicta was part of a lengthy involvement in local football, during which he scouted for Maidstone United and was involved with the pre- vious club during the tenure in the Football League. He had spells managing Tunbridge Wells, Chatham Town, Redhill, Canterbury City and local side APM. Bill moved from Newcastle to


Essex when aged 14, and then locally at 16. His post-football hobbies included breeding show canaries including Kent Glosters and being a member of the Kent Gloster Society. Originally from Newcastle- upon-Tyne, he moved locally while still at school but contin- ued to support Newcastle United throughout his life. Bill leaves his wife, children,


16 grandchildren and one great- grandchild.


Leo Ludgate LEONARD George “Leo” Ludgate (85) lived in Allington for four years and previously,


32 Malling


We will remember


in Barming for 27 years. Locally born, hewas a distin- guished pupil and sports- manatMaid- stone Grammar School, win- ning


the


school’s vic- tor ludorum and earning a place at Trinity College, Cam- bridge, where he studied mod- ern languages. He progressed to RAF College Cranwell, where he started a 32-year career in the service, rising to the rank of wing commander and serving in Egypt, Cyprus and Germany. Leo married Jean Hubble – whose family were involved in the Hubble and Freeman busi- ness – and became father to Peter, Simon and Tracy. He returned to work locally, spending 10 years as a local government officer for KCC. After retiring from local gov- ernment he worked for Michael Vaughn’s fireplace business in Maidstone. In 1981 he married Pat, becoming step-father to David and Jenny. Pat said: “Leo had real enthu-


siasm for life and threw himself into everything. Over the years he had been a champion swim- mer, and taken part in other sports like sailing and golf. He became very serious about cy- cling in his sixties. “He was also heavily involved


in local masonic activities for 29 years. He always worked hard to excel in everything he did.” Leo leaves Pat, five children,


11 grandchildren and one great- grandchild.


Rev Gordon Marsh THE Rev Gordon Marsh (87), who has died in Tenterden, lived and worked in Maidstone from 1963 until retiring in 1985. He spent part of his boyhood


in Loose, and returned there to live with Jean, his wife of 59 years, after he had served in the Navy during the war. Gordon rose through the


ranks at KCC, serving as a counter clerk. He was father to Simon and Richard, tragically losing his younger son in an accident on HMS Hermes just prior to the FalklandsWar. On retirement in 1985, Gor-


don followed a personal calling to take holy orders. He had served for many years at All Saints’ Church, Maidstone, in a range of roles including lay reader and sidesman. He be- came aminister and served in a peripatetic role. Jean said: “Gordon loved to


walk in the country and was a very giving person.” Gordon leaves his wife, eldest


son and grandchildren Claire, Jonathan and Katharine.


Peter Milton PETER Robert Milton (89), who lived in Bower Lane from 1965, was known lo- cally from many years of running an en- graving busi- ness in St Faith’s Street. As a master engraver, his work had in- cluded engraving the carousel which decorated the christen- ing cake for Prince Charles and Wimbledon tennis trophies. Married for 60 years to Mil-


dred, Peter worked at his busi- ness with his wife. Peter was also known from his years of playing cricket for Maidstone. Originally from Colchester,


he had also lived in Canterbury and seen war service as a navi- gator on bombers, including Liberators. His war service took him to the Middle East and he also flew from the UK. Nephew Brian Milton said:


“My uncle was a good, honest man who would do anything for anyone. After losing my aunt in 2008 he mastered the use of computers, and learned to use a laptop at the age of 86. He will also be remembered for his regu- lar attendance at St Andrew’s and StMichael’s churches.”


Marion Green MARION Green (91) lived for about 40 years in Sutton Va- lence. In the 1970s she be- came gover- norofEast Sutton Park, retiring from the prison service in 1977.. Born Mar-


ion Farmery, nearWakefield in West Yorkshire, Marion fol- lowedwartime munitions work with a highly successful police career, becoming the first fe- male inspector in the Leicester- shire


and Constabulary. Rutland


In 1959 she moved into prison governorship, holding assistant governor posts at Aylesbury Borstal for Girls and HMP Hol- loway in London, before taking over at East Sutton Park. Marion married Remy Bar-


cham Green, who ran HayleMill in Tovil, becoming step-mother to Sarah and Simon. She was a member of Sutton Valence Women’s Institute, a regular bowler, an activemember of the Darby and Joan Club and a hugely active member of the congregation of St Peter and St Paul Church; where she served on the parochial church council. Daughter-in-law Maureen


said: “She was a remarkable woman, active and committed in everything she did. She was a well-liked and well-known fig- ure in the community.” Marion leaves her step-chil-


dren, one granddaughter and many other members of her ex- tended family.


Eric Jupp ERIC Jupp (89) lived in Flo- rence Road, Fant, from 1937, having moved from London. He attended East Borough School and had ambitions to be a pilot. He began training, but eventually went into the Army, serving in Egypt. He re- turned locally to work for Till- ing Stevens, and then at Haynes garage. Eric was married to Kathleen


and the couple enjoyed cara- van holidays before Kathleen’s death left him devastated. Eric’s final work involved working as a driver for KCC, a job he loved. Through his work he met


and – in 1977 – married sec- ond wife Betty, acquiring step- children Sally and Greg. Through Betty, Eric became a regular worshipper at St Luke’s Church in Maidstone and was confirmed into the church. His faith became a central part of his life. He served on St Paul’s Fellowship for many years, remained on its committee for nearly 20 years and was very involved with the social side. Eric was a very active mem-


ber of the Camera Club. He was widowed in 2006 and leaves his step-children.


Serving the local community since 1985


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