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 Royal Navy. Derek served with
the Royal Signals for 12 years, including 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 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 said what he felt about things. ” Derek leaves his wife, 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 – forerunner of NatWest bank.Whilstworking in the bank hemet his wife of 43 years,Audrey and the couple seled 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. 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 inundated with cards paying tribute to his character. ” Mike leaves his wife 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 included work supervising Japanese
prisoners as they rebuilt part of the harbour area in Singapore following the Japanese surrender. Vic had started work 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. Vic wasmarried 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 his work as an entertainer. “Hewas one of those peoplewho could
light up a roomand he loved a laugh – so much so that Tommy Cooper’s song Don’t Jump off the Roof Dad was part of his funeral service.” Vic –who was widowed in 2013 – leaves
Colin, his wife 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 brought up children Timothy and Georgina. The family spentmany happy
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years living in Penenden Heath, beforemoving to Bearsted. After Bill’s death in
1991, Val became part of her local active retirement association (BEARA). Daughter Georgina said: “My mothermademany
true friends in the active retirement association and her friends and familywill remember her as someonewho was 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 she will be greatlymissed by themall.” Val leaves her children and
grandchildren Sophie, Lauren,Alex, George, Saskia andMaddi.
Cyril Cooling
THE death of pioneering cancer surgeon Cyril Ivor Cooling (95) has beenmarked nationally, charting a career that included time living inmid-Kent and working at Benenden Hospital. Cyril’s career
brought himinto contactwith local families, in particular, the families of childrenwith cancer, when heworked at the RoyalMarsden Hospital. Fromthis post, hewent on to
work at Benenden Hospital in the laer part of his career. Hewas noted as aman 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 Care Home, in Inverness, havingmoved to Scotland in 2010 to be near his son. He leaves his wife, children, 12 grandchildren and 18 great- grandchildren. As a tribute to his life’s work, his family
requested donations instead of flowers be given to the RoyalMarsden Hospital Charity.
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