downsmail.co.uk Jeanee (Jean) Stevens


JEANETTE “Jean” Stevens (72)was born Jeane�e Stokes in ForestGate in London, the oldest of six children. In 1969 shemoved toMaidstonewhere she lived at Vinters Park until 2005when shemoved toDi�on with first husband, Robert, and her two- week-old daughter Sarah. Jeane�eworked for


CSP Printers until she retired. She had worked in various


jobswhilst her childrenwere growing up including a dinner lady at St Paul’s and at Northborough schools, a cleaner at Vinters Boys School and awaitress and barmaid at the BoxleyHouseHotel. Daughter Sarah said: “Mymotherwas a


happy, bubbly personwhowould help anyone. She enjoyed her timewith DAMARA, her local active retirement association, particularly their trips away.” Jean leaves husbandGary, daughter


Sarah, son Simon and grandchildren, Charlie, Imogen,Maisie andHarvey.


Denis Bu


DENIS Jack Bu�OBE passed away at homewith his children present. Denis lived in Loose for over 50 years


where he and his latewifeDorothea raised their children,Adrian,Helen andMartyn. Heworked at EastMalling Research


Station as a plant pathologist, having studied plant sciences at university. Denis andDorothea lived inUganda,


EastAfrica, from1958 to 1966whereDenis worked on coffee diseases and prevention.


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 lawand 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.He 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’s Club” Nick leaves hiswife, children and


grandchildrenHannah, Chloe, Emily and Patrick.


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


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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.


Paul Kearry


BEARSTED'S Paul Kearry (65),whowas Born in Plumstead, London, lived locally for over 46 years,moving toMaidstone when hewas 19. He commuted to London forwork where he progressed in the graphic design field. Paul enjoyed hiswork as a graphic designerwith KFF until he passed away. His family said:


“Paulwas a sociable member of the Bearsted and ThurnhamClub


where he served on the commi�ee organising events.He especially enjoyed his horse racing and golfing days.Hewas a loving and caringman.” The president of the Bearsted and


ThurnhamClub praised Paul as a true gentleman. Paul leaves his partnerMelanie and


step-daughters, Kerry, Sarah, Lauren, Claire,Marie and grandsonHarrison.


There is no charge for our obituary service. CallNeilNixon on 01622 630422 or email neilnixon22@gmail.com


Obituaries


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