downsmail.co.uk Alan Benne


THE sudden death onOctober 20 has been reported of journalist andHollingbourne parish councillorAlan Benne� (63). Alan’s localwork


included a short period editing the DownsMail. The paper’s


founding editor Dennis Fowle recalled: “Hewas a talented writer and local newspaper journalist. Alanwas also a very


keen follower of sport – an ardent and knowledgeable supporter of Kent County Cricket Club andMaidstoneUnited, travelling tomany away games. He also enjoyed classical concerts.” Recently,Alan had been involvedwith


his local parish council.Hollingbourne Parish Council chairmanAdamWard said: “Alanwas very active in the time he spent with us and had a strong interest in planningma�ers.Hewas very jovial and a bright spark.Hewas never short of a word.” Alan’s later years had been blighted by


health problems but even the amputation of a leg did not prevent himleading a full and active life.He leaves hiswifeAnne.


David Cameron


DAVIDCameron (91)who lived in Addington and Leybourne for almost 50 years, established his companyMegafoam in 1969,with offices first in EastMalling, thenWrothamand later Tonbridge. His home insulation,


Megafoam, became the leading national brand in cavitywall insulation. David grewup in


Bermondsey, leaving


school at 14. In thewar hewas evacuated to Sussex,which inspired hiswish tomove to the countryside. In 1974, bad publicity raised health


concerns aboutMegafoamand the business took a hit before bouncing back in 1976. Afewyears later,Davidwent on to buy


the run-down Greenways complex on the A20, ploughingmoney into the business. But in the early 80s, therewas another


a�ack by the nationalmedia about the health effects of cavity foam,which brought about the end of the busines. DaughterDawn said: “The claimswere


unfounded.My dadwas devastated to have to let somany good people go. “Heworked until the age of 78.He had


this amazing zest for life.When he retired he gained a degree in creativewriting.He said his epitaph should read: ‘When hewas knocked down, he bounced back up.’” David,who lostwife Lillian in 1985,


leaves children Linda, Janice,Diane, Lily, Dawn and Sco�, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.


LillyHudson


FAMILY and friends have paid heartfelt tributes to a three-year-oldwho died after a ba�lewith cancer. Lilly Hudson, fromYalding,was a


typical healthy child until a lump emerged on her stomach last year. A visit to the doctor


turned into an instant referral and Lilly ba�led cancer in her liver, lungs and brain before her parents were given the devastating news a fewweeks ago that


the situationwas terminal. Lilly died on October 9. Her parents,


Rhys Hudson and Lara-Louise Leyser, have led tributes to a brave girlwho led a happy and very outgoing life. During Lilly’s ba�le, friends and family


raisedmoney to support her and there are plans for future fundraising in her memory. There has been an outpouring of love


andmemories on socialmedia. Tilly Louise said on Facebook: “There is only one Lilly Hudson, I think I speak for everyonewhen I say that your beautiful big blue eyes, your smile and your cheeky laughwill never be forgo�en. Lilly, Lara and Rhyswill always be loved and always hold a place in somany hearts. I hope you’re singing and dancing to Let it Go. Rest in absolute paradise, beautiful Lilly.”


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36 Maidstone December 2018 Michael Passmore


THE death ofMichael Passmore (90),who served as chairman of the Passmore Print Group, has beenmarked locally. Michael’s tenurewith the company that was established locally in themiddle of the 19th century, took it through some of its highest profile days and itsmost significant local connections. Michael joined the


family firmin 1948, having trained at


Maidstone College ofArt. Hewent into sales and estimating and became managing director of the company’s Tovil factory. There, hewas in charge of over 300 staff and oversawthe employment of youngermanagers asmany of the company’s long-established staff retired. Links around the country led to the


establishment of the highly-successful Passmore International, one of the UK’s majormagazine printers. An obituary in the trade journal Print


Week quotedMichael’s son Chris as saying: “My fatherwas considered to be a real gentleman. His approachwas to be as honest and truthful to his customers and staff as he could, so thatwhen things did gowrong, as they inevitably did in print, he didn’t have to pull thewool over people’s eyes.” Michael retired in 1990. Hewill also be


remembered as a keen sailor and for his involvement in local church voluntary activities. He leaves hiswifeAnne; children Chris,


Stephen and Stella, all ofwhomworked with himatAlabaster Passmore and Sons; eight grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.


Stanley Sunnucks


FORMER colleagues in the Kent Messenger Group have paid tribute to Stanley “Stan” Sunnocks (92), of BrockenhurstAvenue,whoworked for the Boorman family formore than 50 years. Heworked atMaidstone Engravers


prior to joining the camera department of the KentMessenger at their Larkfield headquarters. Stan served in the RAF duringWWII.


Stan’s work at the KentMessenger involvedworking as a “cameraman” making negatives for plate and processing film. Hewasmarried to Dorothy for 62 years.


In his later years, he remained independent and in his final yearwas still driving and cu�ing his own lawn. Stan’s son-in-law, Brendan Pey, said:


“He had a broad circle of friends andwas verywell respected in the community.” Stan leaves hiswife, daughter Carol, son


Grahame and grandchildren Helen, Anthony, Conor and Niamh.


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