downsmail.co.uk Derek Smith
DEREK Thomas Smith (68) lived in Barming and before that in Bredhurst. Born in Portsmouth, hemovedwith his family toAldershot where his father retired after serving in the Royal Navy. Derek servedwith
the Royal Signals for 12 years, including a lengthy spell in Holland. Heworked in a Dutch papermill beforemoving to
Maidstone,where he drove for Nu- Venture buses. Derekwasmarried to Dorothy “Dee”
and father to Nedascha, Daisy, Tony and Tracy. Dee said: “Derek kept the qualities he developed in themilitary throughout his life. Hewas also really funny and had a lot of stories to tell. “As a choirboy, he had performed for the
Queen and, after his death, I found a photo of himin the chorister’s costume hewore back then. For awhile, hewas amember of the Buffalos inMedwaywho collected money for charity. “As amark of respect for all he brought
to Nu-Venture, the company is naming a bus in his honour and itwill carry a photograph of Derek. “Peoplewill remember himas aman of
characterwho always spoke fromthe heart and saidwhat he felt about things. “Hewas happiest living in Bredhurst
and intended tomove back there.” Derek leaves hiswife, children and
grandchildren Gemma, Denise, Samantha, Jessica, Bradley, Nathan and Tiffany.
Mike Holmes
MICHAEL “Mike” Holmes (78) of Bearsted followed a demanding career in banking that took himtomany locations. Born and raised in Dorset.Mike joined
the National Provincial Bank –which eventually became the National Westminster bank.Whilstworking in the bank hemet hiswife of 43 years,Audrey and the couple se�led in Bearsted in 1974. Mike enjoyed bowling, playing at
Maidstone Bowls Club in the summer and indoors atMote Park in thewinter. Hewas
also amember ofMaidstone Lions for some years. Audrey said: “Mike got onwellwith
people. He made friends easily and always did his best for others. His funeral at Vinters Parkwas packed, and I have been inundatedwith cards paying tribute to his character. “We loved travelling and had been all
round theworld, as far asAustralia, The USA, Japan, Canada and Russia.We loved going to Barbados, and visited the island 19 times.” Mike leaves hiswife and his brother,
Barry.
Vic Smith GEORGE “Vic” Smith (96) died after a long illness at Pembroke House Royal Navy retirement home, Gillingham. Hewas known throughout the area from years of leading a popular accordion band in the 50s and 60s. Vic spent his life living in Gillingham other than time spent in the Royal Navy during and just after thewar. His Naval service includedwork supervising Japanese
prisoners as they rebuilt part of the harbour area in Singapore following the Japanese surrender. Vic had startedwork as awelder at the
Naval dockyard in Chathamin 1940 and continued until the closing of the dockyard, afterwhich hewas appointed to a position in health and safety during the de-commissioning process, eventually leaving in 1976. Vic played accordion and performed live
under a number of names, including the Vic SmithAccordion Band,whichwas popularwithwork parties in and around Maidstone. Vicwasmarried to Norma for 62 years
and father to Colin,who said: “Peoplewill remembermy father as the life and soul of the party, amanwho often laughed out loud at his own jokes and could bring his infectious humour to hiswork as an entertainer. “Hewas one of those peoplewho could
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36 Maidstone October 2018
light up a roomand he loved a laugh – so much so that Tommy Cooper’s song Don’t Jump off the Roof Dadwas part of his funeral service.” Vic –whowaswidowed in 2013 – leaves
Colin, hiswife, Rosemary and grandchildren Natalie andMarianne.
Valerie Spurrier
THE death has been announced of Valerie Lilian Spurrier (78)who lived in Grove Green. Born Val Langran in London, shemoved to Kent in the 1960s with her husband Bill, and raised children Timothy and Georgina. The family spentmany happy years living in Downs Road, Penenden Heath, beforemoving to Chapel Lane, Bearsted.
After Bill’s death in 1991, Val became
part of her local active retirement association (BEARA). Daughter Georgina said: “Mymothermademany true friends in the active retirement association and her friends and familywill remember her as someonewhowas always happy and got onwellwith everyone. “She also started volunteering at charity
shops andMaidstone hospital. She took great pleasure in spending timewith her six grandchildren and shewill be greatly missed by themall.” Val leaves her children and
grandchildren Sophie, Lauren,Alex, George, Saskia andMaddi.
ShelaghDurbridge
THE death has been announced of Shelagh Durbridge of Vinters Park. Shelagh,who passed away peacefully at
the Heart of Kent Hospice, ran the transport office at VoluntaryAction Maidstone formany years,when itwas based inMarshamStreet. She later helped to care for her elderly
mother and pursued her love ofwalking. Her friend and former colleague, Irene
Oxlet, said: “Shelagh’s knowledge of the Kent countryside and surrounding villages was amazing. “Shewill bemuchmissed by allwho
knewher.”
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Obituaries
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