downsmail.co.uk Derek Smith


DEREK Thomas Smith (68) lived in Barming and before that in Bredhurst. Born in Portsmouth, hemovedwith his


family toAldershotwhere his father retired after serving in the RoyalNavy. Derek servedwith


the Royal Signals for 12 years, including in Holland.Heworked in aDutch papermill beforemoving to Maidstone,where he drove forNu-Venture buses.


Derekwasmarried toDorothy “Dee” and


father toNedascha,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 amark of respect for all he brought to


Nu-Venture, the company is naming a bus in his honour and itwill carry a photograph ofDerek. “Peoplewill remember himas aman of


characterwho always spoke fromthe heart and saidwhat he felt about things. ” Derek leaves hiswife, children and


grandchildrenGemma,Denise, Samantha, Jessica, Bradley,Nathan and Tiffany.


Valerie Spurrier


THE death has been announced of Valerie Lilian Spurrier (78),who lived inGrove Green. Born Val Langran in London, shemoved to Kent in the 1960s with her husband Bill, and brought up children Timothy and Georgina. The family spentmany happy years living in PenendenHeath, beforemoving to 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


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28 Malling October 2018


happy and got onwellwith everyone. She also started volunteering at charity shops andMaidstone hospital. “She took great pleasure in spending time


with her six grandchildren and shewill be greatlymissed by themall.” Val leaves her children and grandchildren


Sophie, Lauren,Alex,George, Saskia and Maddi.


Cyril Cooling


THE death of pioneering cancer surgeon Cyril Ivor Cooling (95) has beenmarked nationally, charting a career that included time living inmid-Kent andworking at BenendenHospital. Cyril alsoworked at


the RoyalMarsden Hospital. Hewas noted as a


man ofmany talents and one online tribute stated: “What a remarkable lifewith an


amazing career,many hobbies especially as amusician and a real rock tomany of his family.” Cyrilwasmarried to Phyllis for 72 years


and father to four children.He died at Cradlehall CareHome, in Inverness, having moved to Scotland in 2010 to be near his son.He leaves hiswife, children, 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. As a tribute to his life’swork, his family


requested donations instead of flowers be given to the RoyalMarsdenHospital Charity.


Peter Sime


PETER Sime (78) lived in the Boughton Lane area for over 30 years and lived locally almost all of his life. Born in Sevenoaks,


hemoved to London with hismother during thewar as she drove ambulances, but after his father returned fromwar service the family moved locally, living in Barming and the London Road area.


Peterwasmarried to Val for 54 years and


the couple lived in Bearsted beforemoving to the Boughton Lane area. They raised daughtersMandy and Becky. Val said: “Peterworked for Reed’s paper


mill formany years beforemoving to Alabaster Passmore and sons in Tovil as a print assistant.After that company folded Peter enjoyed his final fewyears ofworking life delivering vegetables for Kingslands. “He liked going around town and the


people hemet in that job, and he finally retired at the age of 70. Peter really loved his sport, he played rugby forAylesford Paper Mills as a youngman andwent on to play forMaidstone Rugby Club.At one point in the 60’s hewas captain of their fourth 15 and the club have put out an announcement about his death “He also loved golf andwas a long-time


member of BearstedGolf Club, playing up until the end of last year. Peoplewill remember himas a quietmanwho got on wellwith others.” Peter leaves hiswife, daughters and


grandchildren Eloise, Toby,Harry,Millie, Bella andMaddie.


Vic Smith


GEORGE “Vic” Smith (96) died after a long illness at PembrokeHouse RoyalNavy retirement home,Gillingham. Hewas known throughout the area from years of leading a popular accordion band in the 50s and 60s. Vic served in the RoyalNavy during the war, and supervised Japanese prisoners as they rebuilt the harbour in Singapore following the Japanese surrender.


Vicworked as awelder at theNaval


dockyard in Chathamfrom1940 until the closing of the dockyard. Vic played accordion and performedwith


the Vic SmithAccordion Band,whichwas popular in and aroundMaidstone. Vicwasmarried toNorma for 62 years


and father to Colin,who said: “My father was the life and soul of the party, laughed out loud at his own jokes and could bring his humour to hiswork as an entertainer. Vic –whowaswidowed in 2013 – leaves


Colin, hiswife Rosemary and grandchildren Natalie andMarianne.


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