downsmail.co.uk LeonMoodley
LEONMoodley (70)who has died in Edinburghwas born in Cape Town SA, but brought up locally. The eldest of six children, he a�ended St Francis School and Maidstone Technical School for Boys before a�ending Maidstone College of Art and Walthamstow College ofArt. Leon spentmany
years as amaker of bespokemetalwork.
La�erly, he had his own kitchen and bathroomdesign company. Leonwas father to Lorraine and twins,
Luke and Jerome. Leon’s sisterAngela said: “My brotherwas gentle and considerate, a compassionate person and also a talented artist.He had a lifelong love of themusic of Leonard Cohen and followedManchesterUnited.” Leon leaves his children and granddaughters Julia and Emma.
Chris Tunbridge TRIBUTES have been paid tomotorcycle mechanic Chris Tunbridge of Eyhorne Street,Hollingbourne, after an inquest into his death. Chris died inNovember, but a recent inquest prompted tributes praising him as a “great, funny guy.” Chris ran CT
Motorcycle Services onWillowIndustrial Estate, Tyland Lane, Maidstone, specialising in the customising of bikes
and restorationwork.He had a passion for motorbikes andwaswell-known for taking his dogMeg toworkwith him. Chris’s packed funeral inDecemberwas
helped by an online collection – organised by friends and fellowmotorcycle enthusiasts –which raised £3,500 towards his funeral costs.
He leaves his long-termpartner Karen Marie Rendle.
JimMcCarthy JAMES “Jim”McCarthy (81) lived in Maidstone formost of his life. Born in Dover, hewas evacuated to Blackpool during thewar before se�ling locally as a boy and a�ending Southborough School. After national service in the FleetAir
Arm, Jimse�led into a career linked to law and a life-long involvement in amateur boxing. Heworked for Sandell Perkins and
Reeds PaperMill but joined the police in his 20s and rose to become a detective.He later became a probation officer. Jimwas father to Simon.Hiswife,
Anne, said: “Jimsaid of hismove fromthe police to probation that hewasmuch be�er at saving souls. “After retiring fromprobation, he spent
some time as generalmanager of the Amateur BoxingAssociation in Crystal Palace.Hewas always full of jokes and had done some amazing things. Hiswas a lifewell lived” Jimleaves hiswife and son.
Nick Staples
NICHOLAS “Nick” Staples (83) lived in Leybourne for the 61 years of hismarried life and before that inWestMalling. Born in Beckenhamhemoved as a boy
with his publican parents toOtford and moved againwhen his parents took over the Five Pointed Star inWestMalling. Nick served in 45 Commando of the
RoyalMarines andwent on to train as a papermaker and followa career that took inwork inAylesford andGravesend as well as contracts in Iran and SouthAfrica Nickwasmarried toHilda and father to
Chris,Kathryn
andMichael.Chris said: “My fatherwas a Spurs supporter and took an interest inWestMalling Football Clubwhen I played for them.He loved organising a reunion of his old friends fromOtford Primary School.Hewas also active in SnodlandWorkingMen’sClub” Nick leaves hiswife, children and
grandchildrenHannah, Chloe, Emily and Patrick.
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• We offer help & advice • Home visits • All fees agreed before you proceed DipPFS MSWW
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22 Denis Bu
DENIS Jack Bu�OBE passed away at homewith his children present. Denis lived in Loose formore than 50
yearswhere he and his latewifeDorothea raised their children,Adrian,Helen and Martyn. Heworked at EastMalling Research
Station as a plant pathologist, having studied plant sciences at Exeter and Bristol universities. Denis andDorothea lived inUganda,
EastAfrica, from1958 to 1966whereDenis worked on coffee diseases and prevention.
Peter Blackman
PETER John Blackman (89) lived in Eccles formost of his life. After leavingMaidstoneGrammar
School Peter did his national service in the Army, beforeworking atAylesford Paper Mills as a steamtest engineer.He studied during the evenings, and became a Fellow of the Institute of Fuel,Member of the Institute ofMechanical Engineers and a Member of the Institute of Petroleum. His career took himto Londonwhere he
worked for FosterWheeler and later spent 25 years in the Civil Service. Peterwasmarried to Lily for 63 years
and father toNigel,who said: “My father got onwith everyone andwas an organisedmanwho enjoyed his allotment and bowling.He played at Burham Bowling Club andwas selected for Kent onmore than 70
occasions.Dad kept on bowlingwell into hismid 80s.” Peter leaveswife Lily, sonNigel,
grandchildrenDaniel and Sian and great- grandchildrenOscar and Leo.
Mike Levings
MICHAEL “Mike” Levings (82) lived in Aylesford for 12 years at the end of a much-travelled life. Manchester-born, he lived in Canada as
a teenager and returned to theUK to train with the RoyalGreen Jackets before taking a positionwith theArmy Pay Corps. Hewas posted to Singapore before
working in theUK forNatWest bank and as a salesman for Ingersol Rand.He lived in Bognor Regis and Si�ingbourne. Mike’s firstmarriage to Jacqueline
produced children Ian andAlison, but Jacqueline died in her 40s and after time in Sri LankaMike returned to theUK. HemarriedMuriel and his business
interests included introducing disposable barbecues to theUKmarket.He eventually se�led inAylesford. Ian said: “My father had lots of stories
about his adventures.Hewas chairman of Aylesford VillageHall and the founder of the art group thatmeets there.He also played bowls forDi�on.” Mike,whowaswidowed for a second
time in 2011, leaves his children and granddaughter Jacqueline.
There is no charge for our obituary service. CallNeilNixon on 01622 630422 or email
neilnixon22@gmail.com Malling March 2019
Obituaries
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