downsmail.co.uk
interesting and funny.” Neville, whowas widowed in 2013,
leaves his twins and grandchildren James, Alice, Sophie and Tom.
Russell Ruck
THE death of Russell Ruck (40), of Florence Road, Fant was widely reported in the local area.
Russell died following a fall into a World
War II bunker while doing voluntary work at Capel-le-Ferne, Dover. Friends and family have paid tribute to Russell, who liked outdoor sports andwas fascinated by technology. Russellwas educated locally at St Michael’s Primary School and Astor of Hever School before moving to Laleham Gap School, near Margate. In his teens he was diagnosed with epilepsy and had more recently been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. His father has noted that the recent past
was the happiest time of Russell’s life and he had been actively involved in things he really cared about. Russell leaves his father Barry and sister Charlie.
Bernard Head
BERNARD Head (78) devoted much of his time to helping the community of Bearsted, his home for more than 40 years. He served as treasurer of the Holy Cross Church and was also treasurer and trustee of Bearsted Woodland Trust, which protects 26 acres of woodland and meadow. He was a founder member of Bearsted and Thurnham Tennis Club; a founder member and
trustee of Bearsted Bowls Club and a founder member of the badminton club. Bernard was an examiner of local organisation accounts, including Bearsted Parish Council and Bearsted’s annual carnival and fair. He was employed by local company Marley and after retirement in 1990 he set up his own accounts business. He became a respected school bursar, notably with Red Hill special school (he was also a trustee of the Red Hill Trust) and became business manager and governor of Roseacre Junior School, which he helped guide to grant-maintained status. He joined the Rotary Club of Maidstone
in 1995, was treasurer for five years and president in 2004. Last year he was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellowship. Bernard is survived by his wife Helen
and sons Graham, Michael, Tim and David and grandchildren.
Kathy Hicks
KATHLEEN “Kathy” Hicks (63) lived locally her whole life, first in Maidstone where she grew up and – from 1979 – in Harrietsham.
She was known as a playwright with a
strong creative voice and the ability to translate strong Christian themes into accessible and entertaining work. Born Kathleen Hills, she was educated in Maidstone and worked in a range of jobs locally including shop work, with the mentally handicapped and at County Hall dealing with tax. Kathy met Paul, her husband of 44 years, when she was 16. Paul Hicks said: “Kathy was a very determined person with a genuine gift when it came to writing plays; her work is very varied and takes in musicals and serious drama. “It was performed locally from 1978 to
2003 and requests came in from as far away as Cobham in Surrey for performances; some of her plays were also published by a company specialising in Christian drama.With The Unity Players, a local church-based drama group, Kathy performed in the works herself and could draw on a total troupe of 30 players within the group. “Ill health had forced Kathy to give up full-time work in her fifties but she still maintained a positive aitude. She also loved her garden and had a real gift for gardening; her father had been a professional gardener and she inherited many of his talents.” Kathy leaves her husband Paul, her brother David and a number of other family members.
Damen Crompton
MAIDSTONE’s Damen Crompton (36) died in a motorcycle accident. Damenwas heading to his home in ReculverWalk, Senacre on the A229 Loose Road when he lost control of his motorcycle. Damen’s partner Lianne Farrow paid tribute at the scene of the accident. Damen worked for the past four years at Dempson Ltd, a packaging company in Hermitage Lane, Maidstone. The company has supported his family through the tragedy.
Sam Dunlop
SAM Dunlop (78) lived locally from 1970, firstly in Maidstone and – from 1972 – in Bearsted. He worked for GEC in Rochester for 22
years. He worked as a draughtsman, rising to the role of chief draughtsman before becoming logistics manager, the role from which he retired. He had previously lived in Wembley and Rainham. Sam was father to
Jane, Stephen, Jonathan and Jenny.
His wife Lee said: “In his younger days Sam was a gifted footballer who tried out for professional clubs. He loved sport and became very good at table tennis. His other passion was computers and he was amongst the first to own one. “He learned programming, and was able
to teach himself other things like how to build computers and DIY skills. He used his computer skills to help with the logistics in his business before using computers in this was a normal part of business. “His son-in-law, Greig, delivered a eulogy about Sam’s achievements but also the modesty he showed, in not being outspoken about all the things he had done. His friends and family will remember his dry sense of humour and his wisdom.”
AllanWille
ALLAN RobertWille CVO, CMG, KStJ (78) of Chilhamwas a former Lord Lieutenant of Kent and a company boss known for donating about £4m to charity. Born to a Kent family whowere working as tea planters in India, MrWille returned home and spent most of his youth living on farms in Thanet. He excelled at rugby as a boy and joined the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). After working in Canada
and in the packaging industry he founded Wille International Limited, which grew into one of the world’s largest companies involved in electronic coding and labelling of information. MrWille sold the company in 2002, launching a charitable foundation which benefied Kent causes. Many public figures have paid tribute to
MrWille, including former Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Dan Daley who said: “Allan was the truest of gentlemen and so dedicated to whatever he did. He valued people, in everyway, and encouraged whatever they were engaged in doing.”
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 the war, 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 at Aylesford 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 recently was a member of the U3A. He leaves his wife Rosemary and sons Christopher, Anthony and James.
There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email
nlnxn@aol.com Maidstone Town September 2015
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