This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
downsmail.co.uk Doris Abnett


DORIS Abnett (88) lived in Allington, Wateringbury and Barming. Born Doris Turner in Hackney, London, she moved to Kent with her parents, relocating to Royal British Legion Village where she married mechanic Tom Abnett from Larkfield in 1947. The couple raised children Graham, Christine and Julie. Tom worked for Fine Fair on Hall Road, Aylesford and Doris’s work


included employment in the Carlton Cafe – on the current site of a British Heart Foundation shop in the centre of Maidstone – and at a cake shop; Icing on the Cake inAllington. Daughter Julie said: “My mother loved animals, her home andmaking and eating cakes, she was really loving and devoted to her children and grandchildren.”


Joe Bisgin


MAIDSTONE’S Joe Bisgin (30) was praised for his funny and kind-hearted qualities. The roofer and father of four, who grew up in Tovil, was found dead near the River Medway on a footpath beneathWat Tyler Way in Maidstone. He had been diagnosed with a severe personality disorder in December 2014.A fundraising page to help with “Big Joe’s Farewell” has been established on Gofundme and friends and family


have paid tribute to Joe online. Natalie Hollywell Shane Saunders posted: “R.I.P Joe he will be missed by loads of people send my love to family and kids x” Joe and partner NatalieWatson had been together for five years and had two children, three year old Joe and two year old Macie. Joe Bisgin had also raised Natalie’s daughter Grace as his own and was father to a son from a previous relationship.


Paul Cox


FORMER Maidstone borough councillor (1963-66), businessman and leading member of local service clubs, Paul Cox has died aged 78, after two years of illness. Educated at Kent College, Canterbury,


Paul followed his National Service by join- ing the TAas a captain and later transferred to the UK Warning and Monitoring Or- ganisation situated in an underground building


behind


Brachers (solicitors) in London Road, Maid- stone. His career turned


to general building construction, quantity surveying and estimating. His love of boats saw him buy Tovil Bridge Boat Yard in 1968, selling it 10 years later to buy a partnership in C&C Plant Hire. He joined Lions International (1962-76)


and was president in 1967/68. In 1981 he joined the Rotary Club of Maidstone, serving as secretary for three years and president in 1993/94. He aended Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, serving as church warden and chairman of the Fabric Commiee. Paul was a keen sportsman with an emphasis on tennis, golf, bowls, swimming and skiing and was a founder member and later chairman and president of Bearsted Tennis Club. He married Pauline Barden, daughter of Maidstone builder Percy Barden (for whom he worked for 17 years) and they had a son Martin (a current borough councillor) in 1966. Pauline died of leukaemia in 1976. They started the Maidstone Leukaemia Research Fund, which Paul and his second wife Carry continued. He is survived by Carry, Martin and grandchildren Amelia and Benjamin.


Fred Hockey


FREDERICK “Fred” Hockey (84) lived locally for most of his life, spending about 39 years in Allington. He also had homes in Gillingham, Staplehurst and Loose. He was best- known as the owner of The House of Carpets business on the north side of Maidstone High Street. The business ran for decades and at different times had outlets in Tonbridge and the Medway


Towns, but the main centre and longest running outlet remained in Maidstone. Originally from London, Fred had previously lived in Sidcup before coming to the Maidstone area in 1962. He and his first wife June raised children Susan, Keith and Sharon. Daughter Sue said: “My father was a


loving and hands-on dad who gave us a great childhood. He made sure our early years, including holiday-camp holidays, were full of fun and fancy dress costumes.” With second wife – also called June –


Fred gained step-children Stephen and Graham. Sue said: “My dad’s main interest was his and June’s garden where he would spend his days. He loved being outside in the sunshine. However, he and June also loved dancing to the big band sounds of Glen Miller, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey etc, mainly at Dion Community Centre.” Fred leaves behind a loving family and will be greatly missed.


Barbara Lewis BARBARA Lewis (86) lived locally from 1967, in Poplar Grove, Bower Mount Road (where she lived for about 40 years) and Barming.


Born Barbara Fitch in Surrey, she married Ron Lewis, a senior probation officer, and the couple moved to Maidstone after a stay in Paddock Wood. They had children Nicholas, Elizabeth, Joanna and Rosemary and Barbara worked at Fine Fare’s depot in Aylesford and for the Inland Revenue at Medvale House. Joanna said: “My mother was very involved in local clubs and activities. She was a member of


the antiques club and the local supper club and after moving to Barming she quickly joined the WI, the historical society and the horticultural society. She was really interested in history and she and my father were members of the National Trust for many years. She also enjoyed travelling and died while on a trip to Germany.” After leaving the Inland Revenue, Barbara worked as a volunteer for 20 years, serving as a hospital librarian and also listening to children reading at St Michael’s School. Widowed in 2011 shortly before her 50th


wedding anniversary, Barbara leaves her children and grandchildren Francesca, George, Alex, Sam, Oliver and Greg.


Rosalind Fuller


ROSALIND “Roz” Fuller (24) of Fennel Close, Barming was tragically killed in a cycling accident while on holiday in Turkey. An inquest, which opened and adjourned on November 10, heard that Ms Fuller – who was taking part in a bike ride – made a wrong turn and ended up in a five- way junction where she was fatally injured after colliding with a taxi.


The accident occurred in the Turkish coastal town of Kas. Roz completed an apprenticeship with Network Rail and at the time of her death was employed in the company’s telecommunications team, a role that involved the regular climbing of towers to complete maintenance work all over the county. Roz was formerly from Gravesend and


was known in the local area from years of competitive swimming as part of the Black Lion Swimming Club (BLSC) in Gillingham. Their website has paid tribute to her. It said: "BLSC wishes its sincere condolences at this very sad time to her family.We all were very stunned to hear this news and still can’t believe that it has really happened. "During this difficult time, our thoughts


are with Roz’s parents Margaret and Les, and her brother Alex, who is also a former BLSC member.” Roz leaves her mother Margaret, father Les and older brother Alex.


There is no charge for our obituary service. Call Neil Nixon on 01622 630422 or email nlnxn@aol.com 28 Malling December 2015


Obituaries


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48