Obituaries 2012

Obituaries
People Remembered 2012
Obituaries Index │ Fallen Heroes

Lawrence Arthur White - 2012

Lawrence was born in Bedford, but while he was still a young child the family moved to Woburn where his father ran a grocers shop on the Market Place. Lawrence attended Bedford Modern School and gained his Rugby Football colours there, although he actually preferred to play soccer.

On leaving school he joined the R.A.F. to complete his National Service. During his time in the forces he became part of the R.A.F. display team and appeared in the Royal Tournament at Earls Court.

After his National Service Lawrence had several different jobs, eventually moving back to Bedford to work for Auto Electric and also the Provident Insurance Companies.

With several good friends he opened a greyhound racing track, the group also hoped to expand into a large athletics complex but unfortunately the land was used for other purposes.

Lawrence became a Bookmaker and opened several shops in Bedford before retiring at the age of sixty. He had a great love of nature and had several horses on land at his old home in Willington. He also bred several foals for racing. He enjoyed music and played the piano.

Lawrence was always ready to give a helping hand, if he could not sort the problem out he would find someone who could. He was well known in the Bedford area and lived in Marriotts Close, Felmersham.

Rev David Mason

Ronald James Smith 1930 – 2012

Ronald Smith, who died on 18th January 2012, lived in Felmersham for many years before moving to Lancaster to be nearer his family.

A man of many talents he was a gifted watercolour artist and, after serving in the RAF entered the teaching profession. He was Headmaster of Harold Priory School from 1973 to 1987 guiding it to become one of the most successful Middle Schools in Bedfordshire, with a sound reputation for academic achievement, sport and music.

He supported many community causes amongst which was the Save the Children Fund for which he and his wife Judith worked tirelessly. Both Ronald and Judith are warmly remembered in Felmersham for being gracious and generous hosts and for welcoming newcomers to the village.

Joan White

Michael Templeman 1943 - 2012

Michael was born in Birmingham, won a scholarship to Kings Edward’s School, and read Natural Sciences, and then Economics, at Selwyn College, Cambridge.

He joined the Inland Revenue in 1965, taking charge of his first district after his marriage to Jane in December 1970. In December 1972, he was promoted and sent to Head Office in London, and the family, including baby Kathryn, arrived in Felmersham. Charlotte, Judith and Rosalind arrived in the next few years. Michael spent most of the rest of his Revenue career at Head Office, finally becoming Under-Secretary in charge of Financial Institutions.

In 1994, he joined Schroder Investment Bank as Group Tax Director, where he spent 14 intellectually stimulating years; he was also a member of both the CBI and the Institute of Directors.

At home, he enjoyed life in Felmersham, walks in the Nature Reserve, and membership of the table-tennis club and the pub quiz team – a favourite pursuit. He was very attached to, and supportive of, St. Mary’s Church, and continued to worship there after our move to Turvey. He encouraged the girls’ musical activities both in the church choir and in the county orchestras; he was for many years Chairman of the Friends of Bedfordshire Youth Music.

Michael had an abiding interest in history and historical places, enjoyed running and later walking, especially in Dorset, and enjoyed cruising holidays, with crossword or a ‘killer’ sodoku to hand. Through all of this was woven his passion for cricket. His favourite birthday present was always ‘Wisden’, and he knew scores and match information for any year one cared to mention.

He retired in 2008, and then joined the Ministry of Justice, sitting as a member of the First Tier Tax Tribunal. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at home - ‘in harness’, as he would have wanted.

Michael found practical problems very challenging, and could be alarmed and irritated by broken-down cars and minor domestic disasters. However, he was a livewire with an incredible memory, and an immense ability to solve intellectual problems. Above all, he was a devoted family man - loving, kind and generous, steadfast and reliable, and tolerant of his women’s various whims. We miss him more than words can say.

Jane & the girls

Dale Gideon 1954 - 2012

Dale Gideon, 58, passed away suddenly on 6th June 2012 at his home on the Costa del Sol, Spain. Dale, beloved husband and best friend of Sheila for 34 years, also leaves behind his three daughters Louise, Katy and Rebecca, and four grandchildren – Rory (4), Declan (2), Amelie (1) and baby Harry who was born on 25th July, who he tragically didn’t meet.

Dale was born and brought up in South London but moved to Felmersham after taking on a new position with the Abbey National in Milton Keynes. The family enjoyed life in the village; the girls all attended Pinchmill Lower School, the Brownies, and were members of the church choir. Dale was a member of the Pinchmill Players, and was a regular at the Plough. Later, the family moved to Milton Ernest, before Dale and Sheila took early retirement and moved to their dream home in sunny Spain. Dale remained good friends with several people from the village and always kept up to date with his favourite local heroes – the Bedford Blues.

Dale’s passing was a shock to everyone, and he is sadly missed as a huge part of a close and loving family. Louise Price

A memorial service will be held in Dale’s memory on Saturday 8th September at 11.30am at St Mary’s Church, Felmersham. A collection will take place in memory of Dale for his favourite charities – the British Heart Foundation and Help for Heroes. All are welcome to attend.

Pamela Agnes Longstaff 1936 - 2012

Pam passed away on 25 June 2012.

Iain Henderson Sutherland 1950 - 2012

Iain was born in 1950 and met Phyllis at college in 1969. They were married in Portsmouth in 1974. They have two children, Diane and Mark.

Iain joined Bedfordshire County Council in 1975 where he worked until 2009 when he joined Central Bedfordshire Council. He was a very professional and hard working person. He retired in 2012.

He was passionate about his DIY and his allotment where he grew a wide variety of produce including his much acclaimed asparagus.

Iain followed all sports and supported Portsmouth football club. He was a keen cyclist and for 34 years cycled the 15 mile return journey to County Hall every working day.

Iain was a devoted family man, a loving husband and, with the recent arrival of Robbie, a doting grandfather. He was a very kind person who always made people feel welcome.

Iain will be remembered for his sense of humour and his ability to make anyone laugh. He will be greatly missed by the family and all who knew him.

If you wish, you can record the death of someone dear to you by writing a short obituary for insertion into this section. The person may have died some years ago, the only qualification is that they must have spent some of their life living in the parish of Felmersham or Radwell.