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 brought up in Wrotham, Geoff worked as a plater and welder 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.


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 he wore both his own war 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


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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.


DaveMarten


DAVID “Dave” Marten (76) lived locally all his life, including 25 years in Eccles and the final seven years of his life in the Siingbourne Road area of Maidstone. Dave worked in local paper mills including a spell at Reeds’ mill. He met his first wife Jill through his work, and the couplewere married for 25 years until her death in 1999. Dave later married June, but was widowed again seven years ago. His sister Helen said: “Dave had to retire


early for health reasons. He had been a good village cricketer early in his life and also enjoyed playing darts in theWalnut Tree pub when he lived in Eccles. He followed horse racing aswell. “Later in his life, he had friends in town


and enjoyed meeting them, especially in the Muggleton Inn. Hewas a quiet man who had strong opinions on things.” Dave leaves two step-daughters, Linda


and Susan.


Jim Murray JIM Murray (86) seled in Maidstone in 1967, having been born and brought up in Yorkshire. He had a long and successful career in agriculture until his retirement in 1996. He qualified as a football referee in the early 1970s, officiating at local and county level and he set up and managed a boys’ football club at Penenden Heath. He turned his sporting success to the


game of bowls, winning many local tournaments and club competitions. His proudest moment came in 1982 with the winning of his county badge and being able to represent Kent. His support of Maidstone Bowls Club led


to him being awarded the role of captain, followed by chairman and eventually president and for over two decades he looked after the green to ensure that Maidstone had one of the best playing surfaces in the county. When hewas no longer able to take an


active role within the club through ill-health, the members honoured his service by naming the clubhouse after him, thus ensuring that his name will forever be associated with Maidstone Bowls Club. After his retirement, Jim volunteered for


many years with Age UK, acting as an escort for the elderly on their minibus trips to local day centres and outings. Hewas a devoted husband to Margaret


for 61 years, until she died in 2014. Jim will be deeply missed by his children


Jim,Ann and Ian, five grandchildren and one great grandson.


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Obituaries


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