downsmail.co.uk Carmel ‘Carmo’Micallef


CARMEL “Carmo” Micallef (70) of Boxley Road,Walderslade, lived in the local area for most of his life after moving toWest Malling from Malta. His father Francis "Cikku" and mother Lonzawere posted to RAFWest Malling. The family then moved to Malling Road, Snodland, where Carmo grew up until he married and moved to Strood before seling inWalderslade. Daughter Maria said; “My fatherwas a


loving husband, loving father of four children and loving grandad to five grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.” Carmo spent his working life in the print business, working for the Kent Messenger for a number of years with his brothers Joe and John, then moving to various other print firms. When he retired, he enjoyed spending time with his children and his grandchildren, going for long countrywalks, ferreting and aending classic car shows with his beloved MG. Maria said: “Dadwas always happy, full


of life and stories of his life’s adventures, everyone who met him loved him.” Carmo leaves wife Maureen, children


Mark, Maria, Carl and Marcelle and five grandchildren.


GeoffVanns


GEOFF Vanns (69) of Hurricane Road,West Malling,was known locally from years of runningGKWWrought Iron Ltd. specialists in ironwork and restoration. Born in Meopham and raised in Wrotham, Geoff worked as a plater andwelder for and in a scrap metal business in Canning Town before establishing his own firm with his son and brother-in-law. GKW– which takes


its name from the first names of all three


partners – has remained a family firm for over 30 years. Geoffwas married to Hilary for 46 years


and father to Karle, Hannah and Nina. Hilary said; “Geoff has been described by


one of our friends as a ‘gentle bear’. Hewas a big man who knew a lot and liked to think about subjects that really stretched his mind. He would have loved to have done a


degree in astrophysics and read lots on the subject aswell as avidlywatching television programmes on all the latest discoveries. He also played chess and taught this to his grandchildren. “He loved all kinds of music with a real passion for some artists like Led Zeppelin and Kate Bush; he had seen some of his musical heroes live.” Geoff leaves his wife, children and grandchildren Cane, Ellis, Joshua, Keaton, Zech and Lillie-Ann.


John GowerQC


JOHN GowerQC(91) sat at Maidstone Crown Court andwas known for his compassion and humanity. After a career in the Royal Signals, hewas


called to the bar in 1948 and served as aQC from 1967, starting his work as a circuit judge in 1972. After ten years in East Sussex John worked


locally and sat as a deputy judge for three years after 21 years as a judge. He became known for a distinctive opening remark when passing sentence: “Now is the time for you to be punished.” His son Peter sits as a judge in Croydon.


DavidWoolfries


DAVID Woolfries (77), of Union Street, spent five years fighting for compensation from Maidstone Borough Council after his step- daughter, Julia Knight, slipped and fractured her arm stepping down from the kerb at a bus stop on King Street, Maidstone. The event occurred after changes to the


kerbs and road lay-out in the area and David’s claims about the lack of safety in the materials used and the re-design of the area were at the centre of arguments. He took up the case because Julia has profound learning difficulties. During his campaign, therewere significant changes, including the painting of yellow lines and the replacement of a granite lay-by with asphalt. David worked as a draughtsman andwas married to Julia’s mother ,Edna. He died suddenly, shortly after giving evidence in the case against Maidstone Borough Council and before a verdictwas returned. His work in the case is likely to be taken over by a friend.


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34 Maidstone Weald September 2017 Tony Law


THE funeral of Tony Law (64) of Chart Hill Road, Chart Suon, made local headlines when hewas carried on his final journey in the bucket of a JCB digger. Tony had planned the event himself after


being diagnosed with stomach cancer and worked out the details with his son, Roger. Tony’s passion for large machinery led him to spend his working life from the age of 15 working in plant and he had been surrounded by the same trappings that made his funeral such a unique event. Carried into Vinters Park crematorium in


the bucket of a machine lent by Diggerland in Medway, Tony’s coffinwas escorted by friendswearing hi-vis jackets bearing the words “Tony Law’s Last Ride.” Tony, whose wife Barb died 10 years ago,


leaves two children, seven step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Jack Bowen


WWII veteran “Jack” Bowen (92)was born John Bowen in St Mary’s Pla and lived for over 40 years in Wrotham. Hewas known throughout the local area


as a keen sportsman who had played football and cricket in his younger days, and continued playing golf until arthritis stopped him a couple of years ago. Jack’swar service took place in the Navy


and took him to active theatres ofwar in the Far East. He met his wife of 71 years – Margaret “Peggy” – when his ship,HMS Sussexwas docked in Newcastle upon Tyne over Christmas in 1942. As a notedwar veteran Jackwas asked to


aend the opening of the new Pla Memorial Hall in September last year – an occasion for which hewar both his ownwar medals and those of his father from WWI. Jack leaves his wife, four daughters and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Another daughter died last year.


Roger Irwin-Smith


ROGER Irwin-Smith (72) of Harrietsham lived locally from 1974, having moved with his family from London. He ran his business – Kent Environmental Engineering – from the station building in the village. Roger founded the North Downs Motor Cycle Club and the Cheapskates Golf Society. Hewas also a parish councillor and president of his local working men’s club. Rogerwas married to


Anne and father to Paul, Tracey, Jacqui and Vanessa. He trained as a heating


engineer and worked successfully as a club DJ in London, amassing a massive collection of vinyl records. Daughter Tracey said: “My father felt very


much at home in this quiet village where people without knowing you, would stop and say hello. It really maered to him to be part of the community and he will be very much missed.” Roger leaves his wife, daughters and grandchildren – son Paul pre-deceased him.


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


Obituaries


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