downsmail.co.uk Alistair Black
MAIDSTONE Council is mourning the loss of Conservative Councillor Alistair Black (79), who died at Maidstone Hospital after a short illness.
Cllr Black lived in
the Tonbridge Road area for six years, having moved locally after retirement. Born in Glasgow, he
began his career with the British Transport Police before joining the British South African Police Force in
Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Cllr Black put himself through a degree at
night school and worked as personnel direc- tor in a paper-making firm before to the Maidstone area, where he became active in the party he had always supported and was elected to Maidstone Council. Cllr Black joined the council in 2011, rep- resenting Fant ward. He was re-elected in May this year. The Maidstone flag flew at half-mast over
the Town Hall from news of his death until the sunset after Cllr Black’s funeral and the council observed a one-minute silence at re- cent meeting. Cllr Black’s friend and fellow Conservative (representing Coxheath and Hunton ward), John Wilson said: “Alistair was the kind of selfless person who got involved in a range of local causes, pushing the interests of local people. “He wasn’t the kind to spend a long time
telling you about himself and his achieve- ments. He was involved with St Luke’s Church and remained a very positive per- son. Just before he died he was still hopeful of recovery andwas making plans for the fu- ture.” Cllr Black leaves his wife, Sue, daughter
Fiona who lives in Australia, son Douglas who lives in Africa, grandson Brett and grand-daughter Jamie.
Audrey Boxall
THE road to Vinters Park Crematoriumwas filled with more than 150 motorbikes as people from all over theUKresponded to a message sent on Facebook after the death of Audrey Boxall (95).
Mrs Boxall died at
TunbridgeWells Hospital after living at the Poplars Nursing Home on Tonbridge Road, Maidstone for eight years. After her death, her
son Roger (64) took to Facebook appealing to “kind-hearted people
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who ride large motorbikes”. His r’s post described his mother as a “motorbike nut” and said: “To make it very special for her she would love some outriders to escort her to the crematorium through Maidstone.” The responsewas overwhelming and
Audrey received the last tribute she would havewanted. Her passion for bikes dated back at least to 1945 when shewas a regular spectator of speedway atWimbledon. Audrey also spent years riding pillion on motorbikes driven by her husband of 56 years, Cecil. More recently, shewas an avid fan of Moto GP superstar Valentino Rossi. Widowed in 1997,Audrey leaves her sons
John and Roger, daughter Jane, 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Ivy Tee
THE funeral took place of Ivy Tee (84), formerly of Dargate Close, Allington. Ivy, who previously lived in Grace
Avenue, Allington, died at Harlow in Essex and the funeral service took place at Parndon Wood Crematorium. Donations made payable to “Alzheimer’s Society” can be sent c/o Daniel Robinson&Sons, Wych Elm, Harlow, CM20 1QP, Tel: 01279 426990.
John Skinner
THE deathwas announced inWiltshire of John A. Skinner (89), who worked in Maidstone schools from 1958 to 1985, and lived in Allington. Amathematics graduate of Queen Mary College, John served in the Navy and taught in Woking and Birmingham before moving locally to become head of maths at Maidstone Grammar School. He served as headmaster of Maidstone Technical High School for boys from April 1966. In 1974 the school’s name changed to Maidstone School For Boys, and in 1983 it became Oakwood Park Grammar School.
The current deputy head, Mark Howsden,
served with John. He said: “Johnwas an educationalist of great vision. Hewanted to create a ‘different’ grammar school, one which developed the whole person, not just the academic. Hewanted his teachers to be teachers of men, not just of their subject, once saying at Speech Day that ‘education is about relationships’. “John believed in developing the individual in all of his pupils and staff, but always within a team ethos. Under John the school developed the reputation for outstanding pastoral care and extra- curricular opportunities which it still enjoys today and soonwas established as the academic equal to other Kent grammar schools; quite a legacy. “Johnwas affectionately known to students and staff alike as ‘Jasper’ and although he had a very formal presence and de-meanour he strived to get the best for and from his pupils and when appointing staff he instinctively knew what made an Oakwood Park teacher.” Johnwas married to Dorothy for 66 years
and father to Christine, Richard and Helen. Daughter Christine said: “My fatherwas a gentle man and led a life informed by
Christian principles. He contributed a lot to local life in Maidstone including being amongst the founders of the Heart of Kent Hospice and a trustee for many years.” John leaves his wife, children and grandchildren.
Norman Harlow
NORMAN Harlow (79) lived in Bearsted for more than 50 years. Hewas born in Margate,was educated at Dover College and lived in Kent all his life. Throughout thewar, he and his parents
lived in The Victoria Hotel in Maidstone, where his fatherwas a hotelier and publican. Later he lived at the Masonic Hall in Bower Terrace. His work as a sales rep and manager
meant he travelled widely. He ended his career as general manager atAylesford Priory. He had many interests and belonged to the Association of Kentish Men and Men of Kent’s Maidstone branch, where hewas chairman and president. He organised many outings for members and friends. He also belonged to Bearsted History Society and more recentlywas a member of the U3A. He leaves his wife Rosemary and sons Christopher, Anthony and James.
Noel McCrerie
NOEL McCrerie (94) lived in the Maidstone area apart from time he spent in the RAF during thewar. He moved into the Royal British Legion Village inAylesford in 1929, and lived in the same house until his final months.
Educated inAylesford, Noel began work for
local building firms. His wartime service in- cluded time spent in Egypt, South Africa and Libya. Noel spent the last 40
years of his working life as a plumber for Maidstone Council, travelling in the area on his bicycle. He was married to Joy for almost 58 years,
and father to Jan and Sue. Jan said: “Myfather was quiet, gracious, caring and a real gentle- man. He loved swimming – when we were younger I recall him swimming out in the sea until hewas a dot in the distance.Heswamlo- cally, at Larkfield Leisure Centre, until hewas into his nineties. “After moving to a care home in Tunbridge
Wells he got a place in a care home back in Aylesford, the place that meant the most to him.” Noel leaves his wife, daughters, grandchil-
dren Laura-Louise, Jason, Carly-Ann, Saman- tha, Thomas and Joshua; his first great-grandchild, Freddie, was born in De- cember.
Sir Reg Doyle
SIR Reg Doyle (85) lived in Headcorn from 2006 and was a distinguished public servant who carved out a notable career including posts as Kent’s chief fire officer (1977-84) and HMChief Inspector of the Fire Service. During his tenure as Kent’s senior fire offi- cer, he lived with his family in Lenham and
Obituaries
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