downsmail.co.uk Roger Frankland-Haile


ROGER Frankland-Haile (70) was well- known locally from his 16 years running Bow Bridge Marina inWateringbury. He also lived inWateringbury with his wife Sue of 22 years. Born in Bexley,


Roger moved to Australia with his family as a boy and was educated in that country. He started a varied


career that took him across the world and saw him working at various times with


plastics, in the merchant navy and in skilled jobs including lorry driving and installing office furniture. He and Sue took over the marina as a


going concern in 1998 and were involved in boat moorings and crane operations. The site also hosts a field for touring caravans and has a separate caravan rally field. Sue said: “One of the tributes I received summed up Roger, saying his love for life could be seen in his passion for anything with four legs and either feathers or fur or had two wheels and a motor. “He loved his work, his cats and swans


but even more his motorbikes, which included a Ducati 916 and a vintage BSA from the 1950s. These were damaged in the recent floods but lovingly restored. Roger was also involved in rescuing swans locally.” Boat owners staged a procession of craft on the river as a tribute to Roger.


Lilian Cooper LILIAN Cooper (100) lived locally at various times during a life that took her from growing up in London to living in Canterbury and St Leonards on Sea. Born Lilian Parker, she moved to Maidstone during WorldWar II with husband Jim, who was serving as an army medic. The couple moved several times and raised children Rick and Merry. During their spells in Maidstone they lived in Bearsted, where they ran a tobacconist shop on the site of the current Page &Wells estate agency on the Ashford Road, and more than 25 years at Penenden Heath where Jim worked as postmaster and Lilian worked in the attached


greengrocery shop. She also lived in Boughton Monchelsea. Daughter Merry said: “My parents


moved a few times and even lived in Spain for 25 years. My mother did shop work during her life, but was also the best cook I’ve ever met. She was very placid with a nice sense of humour and in later years she could tell amazing stories about her life. “One thing she had seen was the soldiers returning from the evacuation of Dunkirk during the war. “My parents began ballroom dancing in


their 50s with the Peter Preedy School. She had received two cards from the Queen, one for her 70th wedding anniversary and one for her 100th birthday.” Lilian, who was widowed, leaves her children and three grandchildren.


Kassie Daniel


KATHLEEN “Kassie” Daniel (94) lived in Teston for 24 years, having previously lived in London, Surrey and near Ash. Born Kathleen Godsave in London, she


had worked during the war as secretary to the manager of Deptford Power Station, a job that meant turning up for work even when bombing raids were possible. Her son Nick said: “My mother could remember doing shorthand under her desk to avoid falling plaster and once looked out of the window to see a Stuka aircraft fly past.” Kassie was married to Chris Daniel for


almost 60 years, returning to work for the family paper business, Chris Daniel Ltd, when Nick was about six years old. The move to Teston involved a major downsizing, leaving behind a former coach house with four and a half acres of ground. Nick said: “My parents went out a lot,


my father was involved in shooting and game-keeping and my mother went along, taking their spaniel. She had many friends in the area and was driving until she was 86.


“She was very resilient, always smiling


and happy. “Right up to the very end of her life she


was never the kind of person to complain. One of her neighbours described her as a ‘total lady’. Kassie, who was widowed in 2005,


leaves her son, grandsons Gavin, Lee and Scott and great-grandchildren Austin, Zoey and Jacob.


For a free obituary contact Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com


Shirley Town


SHIRLEY Town (80) had lived inWest Malling since 2013, after living in Borough Green for 51 years. Born as Shirley


Weedon in Croydon, she moved to Loose as a girl and was educated in the local primary school and at Maidstone


Technical School for girls. Shirley began work as an apprentice hairdresser at Prunella’s on Bank Street (there is still a hair and beauty business on the site), and married husband Peter. The couple eventually moved to London, where Peter served in the Metropolitan Police before moving back to the local area where he worked as a travelling sales rep. Shirley worked for Novello’s music publishing business and Butterworths legal book business. She was mother to Sara and Louise. Louise said: “My mother was very musical and sang with Kemsing Singers, who performed locally and counted television personality Richard Stilgoe among their membership. “She had an enquiring mind and knew a


lot about history. She also loved gardening. During her years of local work, she became a mother figure and agony aunt to lots of her workmates. She always kept a positive outlook and had a joy for life. She even managed to find happiness and contentment in her final days in the Heart of Kent Hospice. “She travelled widely and had been all around the world, visiting New Zealand as well as China and South Africa.” Shirley leaves her husband of 58 years and her daughters.


Barry Smith BARRY Smith, from Maidstone was a noted local cricketer who played throughout his life and was instrumental in promoting the interests of older players of the game. He was a founder of the county championship for players in their 60s and 70s and played as wicket keeper for Kent’s senior side in his 70s. Married for almost 48 years to Jean,


Barry was father to Hayley and Tracey. Tributes have been paid by many, including his fellow cricketers.


Keith Miles


THE death has been announced of Keith Gasson Miles (79) who founded the Maidstone Glass Company.


Serving the local community since 1985


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Obituaries


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