downsmail.co.uk Patrick Rocke


PATRICK James Rockewas born in Derrew, County Galway, in December 1927, the middle son of 13 siblings. He came to Snodland in 1947 and became


an active member of St Francis Youth Club in Maidstone, where he metWinnie Gilllan, his wife for almost 60 years. Their two daughters, Maureen and Josephine, and six grandsons, Thomas, Robert, Mark, Neil, Liam and Ryan, son- in-law Colm and


daughter-in-law Andrea, still live in Maidstone. Aerworking in London for a number of


years, in 1958 Pat became caretaker at St Francis RC School, which became St Simon Stock School, and for 32 years hewas involved in all areas of the school and church community. His greatest lovewas his garden and he produced an abundance of tomatoes, vegetables and flowers, whichwould be gied to all. When he retired from Oakwood Park, he returned to his native Ireland. He died in May in Port Laois Hospital


and aer a service in his home in Rathdowney hewas buried in the heart of his family’s community in Kiltormer. Pat will be fondly remembered by many friends, pupils and teachers, and is greatly loved and missed by his wifeWinnie and family in Ireland and Maidstone. He enjoyed receiving and reading news of Maidstone in the Downs Mail.


Bob Jeffrey


BOB Jeffrey (78)was a brave and talented goalkeeper for Maidstone United. His achievements included a courageous performance in the 1966 Kent Senior Cup final against Ramsgate, a game in which Bob broke his collarbone. Hewas replaced in goal but – in an era


before multiple substitutions – Bob insisted on playing outfield and succeeded in providing the assist that set up Derek Norton’s winning headed goal. The goal gave Maidstone victory in the game and – with the first leg ending in a 1-1 draw – ensured an aggregate victory of 4-3. Tributes to Bob, whowas married to Phil


for 59 years and father to Debbie, Sharon and Michelle, have praised his loving nature with his family and the loyalty and friendship he showed to many. His best friend Les Apps said: “Bob and I


both played for Maidstone. He took over from DannyWilson and whenwewere there together, and aerwards,we had some great times. Bobwas best man for both me and my brother andwas just a smashing fellow. Everyone loved him.” Bob pursued a career as a local publican


and had spells running the Royal Paper Mill in Tovil, the Star and Garter in Tonbridge and the Cobdown Club in Dion. His Maidstone United career lasted over


10 years and included about 200 games. He was also a noted cricketer who played towards the top of the baing order for Dymchurch. Bob leaves his wife and daughters.


Leonard Hoare


LEONARD “Len” Hoare (90), who died at the Mont Calm care home in Bower Mount Road, lived inWest Malling, Maidstone and Senacre. Agenuine war hero, Len survived being torpedoed on a ship, finding hisway through a minefield at night, being on a plane that was shot down and malaria. Len’swork included many years with E Baldock and Sons ofWest Malling. Hewas so impressive in his job at the firm that he was allowed to run its TunbridgeWells shop from the age of 16 and – having gone towork at Goldwell’s drinks factory in West Malling aer thewar –was offered a new position with Baldocks in 1947. He worked for the firm until his retirement – including time spent living with his family in a flat over its Maidstone shop. Aer retirement Len returned to the firm in a part-time position, finally leaving when he was 74. Lenwas married to Violet for 61 years


andwas father to Valerie. Daughter Valerie said: “My father was very kind and generous andwould help anyone; several of my friends have said hewas like a father to them aswell.” Len, who lost his wife in 2008, leaves his daughter and grandchildren Laura and Sean.


DorothyMorgans


DOROTHY Morgans (92)was a local dance teacher who, with husband Oliver Leslie “Les”worked in many clubs and locations in and around Maidstone. The couple qualified as dance teachers


with the IDTAin 1974, and stayed in the area until Les’s death in 1994. Dorothywas mother to Ronald and Martin and had four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Aer Les’s death she met George Rust, a fellow dancer.


Dorothy leaves George, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Graham Hockney


GRAHAM Victor Hockney (67) died suddenly in hospital. He spent most of his life in and around


the Maidstone area, and aended Senacre School. In his earlyworking life heworked in the old Primrose & Len Dairy on the corner of Romney Place. Hewas beer known by many as a bus driver with the Maidstone Borough Bus Corporation and laerly as a porter and manager at the old Opthalmic hospital in Marsham Street, where he always had a cheery quip and a smile for all whose paths he crossed.


He enjoyed aending steam rallies and


loved animals and the country. In the last decade of his life he retired to the countryside with his wife, enjoying the wide open spaces and his menagerie of dogs, ducks, a goat, hens, birds and fish. Sister-in-law Kathy said: “Hewas a very


quiet man who listened more than he talked, but he had awarmth and an optimism about him, even when he had persistent bouts of ill health.” Graham leaves his wife Theresa, sons Darren and Tyler, daughter Tandy, grandchildren, and his two sisters.


Nora Tolhurst


BEARSTED’S Nora Tolhurstwas born in 1921.


Raised in Langley, she began working


locally before training as a nursery nurse at the age of 14, in Baersea. She funded her training through earnings from sewing and kniing, establishing a life-long paern of disciplinedworking and pushing herself to achieve. DuringWorldWar II she looked aer 100


evacuated children in Sussex before returning to London and becoming involved in paediatric nursing. She lacked the academic qualifications to train for state registered nurse (SRN) validation, but was able to gain a place on the condition she didn’t fall behind academically. She succeeded and enjoyed a demanding


career, including posts at Kings College Hospital, in Croydon and as a district midwife. At one point her duties included caring for former prisoners ofwar who had been held by the Japanese. In 1959 Nora moved to Bearsted to care


for her parents and an uncle, aer her mother had suffered a stroke. She moved to


Serving the local community since 1985


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Obituaries


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