downsmail.co.uk Alan Colegate


ALANColegate (73) lived inUpper Fant Road formore than 40 years. Born inMaidstone,Alan a�ended Westborough School and startedwork in Smedley’s canning factory, before becoming apprenticed to Goodsell and Sons as a carpenter and joiner. Alan’s career took himthousands of


miles away,with spellsworking in Saudi Arabia and Libya. Alanwasmarried toHeather for 51


years and father toHelen and Kevin.He was taken illwhilst on holiday in Cyprus and died in a country that he loved. Heather said: “Alanwas a very hard


working, quiet and unassumingman in his later years. Earlier in his life, he had boxed,more recently hewas an avid follower ofGrand Prix racing. “Hewas part of Barming life; and his


skillswere often called forwhen therewas particularly difficultwork to be done.” Alan leavesHeather, his children,


grandchildrenHannah,Daniel, Chloe, Vicki andMa� and great-grandchildren James,Olivia, Ella, Brooke and Kyle.


Gareth Jones


GARETHJones (83)was known from years as a violinistwith theMaidstone SymphonyOrchestra. He lived locally fromthe late 50s to the


90s, andworked as a primary school teacher and head teacher. Born inWales,Garethmoved to Medway towork at Winston Primary School, Chatham.He served as head at Winston from1971 to 1986, and as head teacher at Tunbury Primary School, Walderslade, from 1986 until 1991, when he retired,


beforemoving to Plymouth,Devon. Garethwasmarried to Pamela for


almost 60 years, and died just a few months before their diamondwedding anniversary.Hewas father to Beverley, Gordon andDavid. Gordon said: “My father remained a


proudWelshman to the end of his life. People recall himas fair-minded, someone with a real sense of responsibility. “His passions includedmusic and,


alongwith theMaidstone Symphony Orchestra, hewas amember of the RochesterArtsOrchestra.He also played rugby – including a spell at Saracens and playing for the Isle of Sheppey.” Gareth leaves hiswife, children and grandchildrenAndrewand Rosie.


Hugh Laing HUGHLaing (80), of Loose,was born in Barming andmoved toHollingbourne with his family, at the age of 10months. Hewas involved in local politics, and


served two terms as a LiberalDemocrat councillor. Hughwas amember of the Social


Democratic Party (SDP) in the 80s and served as SDP chair forwest Kent. Hughwasmarried toWendy for over 50


years andwas father to Jamie, Fraser and Jo.Heworked as a group finance director in the insurance industry for a company on London Road inMaidstone and later forGNBishop in Tenterden. Jo said: “My father


was passionate about equality and thatwas central to his political campaigning.He travelled theworld as president of the Institute of Financial Accountants, including trips to the Kremlin and China.


His friendswill remember his fantastic sense of humour, andwewill remember himas awonderful dad.” Loose Parish Council’s tribute said: “He


was instrumental in helping to obtain funding to build the Loose Parish Pavilion, in themid-1990s.He also served as chairman to theMcAlpine Trust, the


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charity responsible for the allotments on Old LooseHill.” Hugh,who lost hiswife seven years ago,


leaves his children and grandchildren Alexander, Eleanor, Toby andAmelia.


RegDancer


REGINALDFrederick James “Reg” Dancer (76) lived in the Boxley Road area ofMaidstone from1973,when hiswork as an electrical engineer for the Blue Circle Cement Company brought himto Kent. Reg, fromEssex,


wasmarried toMar- garet for 49 years and father toAndrewand Christopher.Andrew said: “My father re- tired fromBlue Circle in his late fifties but stayed active – he


was always using his skills to doDIYwork for family and friends. “Many peoplewill knowhimfrom


decades of involvementwithMaidstone Rugby Club.He played for their B team for a fewyears and continued playing into his 60swith the veterans team.My father was a keen squash player and followed a number of sports including F1.We have had lots of tributes praising his determina- tion, big personality and loyalty.” Reg leaves hiswife, sons and grandchil-


drenAaron; Jamie; Blaze; Saskia;Noah; Orianna and Indie.


PamelaWhite


PAMELA“Pam” FrancesWhite (88) lived inGroveGreen from1985. Born PamelaDurrant, she startedwork for Kent County Council at County Hall in their vehicle licensing department in the days before the DVLA. Pammarried Cyril


White and the couple moved toNyasaland (nowMalawi) and Rhodesia (nowZim-


babwe),with hiswork in postal services. Pamwasmother to Sarah, Steven and


Claire. The familymoved back to Sitting- bourne, but Cyril died after 18 years of marriage and Pammoved toGroveGreen. As her children grew, she returned to work at CountyHall, in an administration role. Daughter Claire said: “Mymother waswidowed tragically early but still foundmeaning and purpose in her life through her love of gardening and her de- votion to her grandchildren. She loved ballroomdancing in her younger days” Pamleaves her children, grandchildren


Tom; James; Becky;Alex; Lauren; Joe; Ben; Anna and Bethany and three great- grandchildren.


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